As the nature of philanthropy in Canada has changed, the purpose of gifts to higher education is evolving away from infrastructure and towards the development of knowledge and the training of young minds. In this viewpoint, reflecting on my 20 years of experience working closely with funders, including business leaders with private foundations, and corporate foundations themselves, I revisit the relationship between corporate philanthropy and higher education in Canada and conclude that there has been a continuing trend away "from bricks to brain cells".