The Risk and Insurance Management Society said today that it will be contributing $30,000 to a Canadian program funding risk management career development.

RIMS said it has pledged the money to the Calgary-based William H. McGannon Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial resources and career development opportunities to risk management students and practitioners.

The funds, RIMS said, will go toward the development of risk and insurance management student enrichment programs and grants.

“As the leading association for risk professionals, RIMS feels an obligation to support and educate the next generation,” said Janice Ochenkowski, RIMS president and managing director for Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

In 2007, the foundation awarded three scholarships totaling $7,500 and launched the McGannon Student Involvement Program, which provides funds so post-secondary students in risk and insurance management related programs can attend the 2008 RIMS Canada Conference in Toronto.

Last year the foundation awarded six scholarships totaling $15,000 and raised more than $84,000 through fundraising.