Hennick Family donates $50 million to advance ROM’s strategic vision

In June 2022, ROM proudly announced a $50-million donation from the Hennick Family Foundation – the single largest cash donation in its history. The Hennicks’ contribution supports a multi-year revitalization plan to advance a vision to an even more welcoming and inspirational focal point of art, culture, nature – and community engagement with global impact. This transformational project, known as OpenROM, was formally unveiled in February 2024. 

“We cannot think of a better way to support the revitalization of civic life in Toronto and Ontario than to support the Royal Ontario Museum’s new vision, which promises to transform iconic spaces and the way we experience art, culture and nature for generations to come,” said Jay and Barbara Hennick.

“ROM’s vision is to be ever more central to people’s lives by creating an uplifting and inspiring environment that engages visitors and brings people together,” said Josh Basseches, ROM’s Director & CEO. “Leading-edge physical and programmatic enhancements will help us evolve into a truly 21st-century museum, and I look forward to sharing more about this transformation in the coming months. Today, I want to acknowledge this truly visionary gift from the Hennick Family comes at a critical time as we re-emerge from the pandemic to rebuild our cities and restore the social and cultural fabric of our communities.”

The Hennicks’ generosity enables exciting new opportunities for us to gather, learn, discuss, engage, and shape a shared future, because we live on in what we leave behind.

Learn more about OpenROM.