How the Litigation Prize in Memory of Samuel Isaac Wilder is turning a professional legacy into a future of opportunity
For Wendy Wilder, creating a scholarship was not about recognition or immediate results. It was about something more lasting. It was about preserving a legacy and a lifetime of contributions to both the community and the profession.
Following the passing of her husband, Sam Wilder, just over two years ago, Wendy decided to establish a scholarship in his memory. Sam had built a distinguished legal career spanning nearly 6 decades, focusing on litigation. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was deeply involved in Winnipeg’s civic and Jewish communities, leaving an impact on both.
“This keeps his name alive,” Wendy explains.
The Litigation Prize in Memory of Samuel Isaac Wilder reflects that legacy with intention. It is designed to support a second-year law student pursuing litigation, directly connecting Sam’s life’s work to the next generation entering the field. While the fund is still new, its purpose is clear. It ensures that Sam’s influence continues not only in memory but also in opportunity.
Establishing a fund like this takes time and commitment. Wendy began the process through the Foundation, working to ensure it would be properly structured and sustained. All endowment funds are designed to provide lasting support and to make a continuing impact. In this way, a personal tribute becomes a lasting source of impact that continues year after year.
Wendy’s decision offers a model for others. Creating a fund does not require a large-scale initiative. It begins with a simple intention, whether to honour a loved one, support a cause, or give back to a community that has given so much. With the right structure in place, that intention can grow into something that continues to support and strengthen a community for years to come.
Establishing an endowment fund is a tangible way to create that lasting impact. Funds can begin with contributions as low as $100, growing over time until they reach the level where donors can choose how the fund supports the causes they care about most. In Wendy’s case, that meant creating a scholarship that reflects Sam’s legacy in litigation.
To contribute to the Wilder Scholarship Fund, or to explore how you can establish a fund of your own, please contact the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba at 204-477-7520. Your gift today can become an enduring source of opportunity for generations to come.