Abbotsford Hospice Foundation (AHF) is the dedicated philanthropic arm of Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society (AHGSS). Based in Abbotsford, British Columbia, the foundation exists to serve the community by managing, growing and stewarding an endowment that provides long‑term financial support for hospice, palliative and grief support services delivered through Holmberg House and related programs.
Role in the funding ecosystem
AHF was officially launched in March 2024 with the goal of securing funds for the ongoing maintenance and repair costs of Holmberg House, the 10‑bed hospice residence that also hosts many of AHGSS’s grief support activities. Through an organized investment program and formal Investment Policy Statement, the foundation seeks to preserve and enhance the real purchasing power of its endowment while contributing predictably to the Society’s annual operating budget.
The foundation mobilizes gifts from individuals, families, businesses and estates, then invests these assets in a diversified portfolio. Returns are used to help cover building upkeep, capital upgrades and other costs that enable high‑quality hospice and grief services to remain available free‑of‑charge to residents of Abbotsford and the surrounding Fraser Valley.
Funding themes and beneficiaries
Funding from AHF is directed primarily to Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society. This support underpins:
- The operation and maintenance of Holmberg House as a hospice residence and community hub.
- Palliative programs that provide holistic end‑of‑life care for patients and their families.
- Grief and loss services for adults, children and youth, including groups, one‑to‑one companioning, camps and memorial events.
- Training and education initiatives that build grief‑support capacity in schools, health care, non‑profits and faith communities.
On the same organizational platform, AHGSS also offers scholarships for young adults and graduates of its Teen Grief Peer Support Training program, demonstrating a commitment to investing directly in the educational paths of local youth who reflect the society’s values of service and compassion.
Governance, investment policy and accountability
The foundation is governed by a volunteer board whose members bring expertise in investment management, accounting, law, business and community leadership. An Investment Committee and external investment consultant are responsible for implementing the Investment Policy Statement, selecting managers, monitoring performance and recommending rebalancing decisions.
The policy sets out clear objectives for total return, risk tolerance, asset allocation and liquidity. It also includes a spending policy designed to balance current distributions to the Society with the long‑term goal of sustaining support in perpetuity, alongside a conflict‑of‑interest framework to safeguard decisions. Annual reporting through the Society’s AGM materials and financial statements helps ensure transparency to donors and the wider community.
Supported audiences and impact
Although AHF typically has a single primary beneficiary, its financial support has broad community impact. By stabilizing funding for hospice beds, grief counselling and educational outreach, the foundation indirectly benefits palliative patients, bereaved families, children and youth, and professionals seeking training in grief and end‑of‑life care across Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.
Through disciplined endowment management, community fundraising and legacy giving, Abbotsford Hospice Foundation helps ensure that compassionate hospice care and grief support remain accessible at no cost for generations to come.