While they hail from very different eras, esteemed UBC basketball alumni Bev Barnes and Erica McGuinness have more than just their sport in common. Both of these women have established legacies through giving back - not only to the UBC women's basketball program but across all of women's athletics.
 
Bev played for the UBC Thunderbirds team through the 1970's, winning back-to-back championships in 1972, '73 and '74. She would go on to play for Team Canada and has been inducted into the UBC Athletics Hall of Fame both as an individual athlete and as part of her championship team. After her playing days Bev went on to work as an educator and her influence was widely felt through her role as a teacher and mentor, and through her generosity to UBC Athletics. 
 
"Every year I would get a cheque from Bev, without any need for fanfare," says Deb Huband, former Head Coach, UBC Women's Basketball. "She had a deep respect for athletics and she just wanted to support young women who were pursuing sport and education."
 
Bev passed away in 2016, and in her will she established the Beverly Ann Barnes Big Block Scholarship Endowment Fund. The Big Block Fund supports scholarships for female varsity athletes in any sport.
 
"Bev left us that surprise donation in her will. You see a lot of donors who will only give to one team. Bev donated to women's basketball but she also gave an equal amount to be distributed to all women's teams, which I thought was incredible because she was thinking more broadly than most others do." 
 
30 years after Bev's playing days, Erica McGuinness would similarly lead the UBC Women's Basketball Thunderbirds to three national championships in 2004, '06 and '08. Hailed as a "selfless leader and consummate team player", Erica set points records during her time as a Thunderbird and was named an All-Canadian and Championship MVP. Today, she's a partner at Sequiera Partners and was just recently announced as a recipient of the 2023 BIV's 40 Under 40 award. Erica has always been vocal about how her time as a Thunderbird set her up for success in life, and she has been generous with her time, giving back through her role as President of the Thunderbird Alumni Council and as a member of the UBC Athletics Women's Leadership Network. 
 
"My time as a student athlete at UBC shaped me to be who I am today and I really want to do my part to help continue to grow the women's programs and inspire the next generation of Thunderbirds," says Erica McGuinness.
 
This past year Erica established a new endowment and award, the Thunderbird Alumni Award in Women's Basketball. This award is given to outstanding members of the UBC Women's Basketball team who demonstrate financial need, leadership qualities and a team-first attitude. Erica hopes this award will help student athletes from all backgrounds fulfill their academic and sporting potential.
 
These endowments, established by Bev and Erica, help ensure there is sustainable funding in place for UBC women's basketball players, and athletes across all women's teams. Their generosity are just two examples of the growing power of women's philanthropy. A more diverse, representative range of voices are starting to influence decision making. And it is female donors who are among the key drivers. 
 
Leaving a gift to UBC Athletics in your will — or through other planned giving options — is a thoughtful way to make a lasting impact. For more information on how to make a gift you can contact Sarah Barclay, Senior Director, Development & Alumni Engagement, at sarah.barclay@ubc.ca.