Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation (CGMHF)

The Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation (CGMHF) is the official fundraising arm of Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, serving the South Georgian Bay communities of Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach and surrounding areas. As a registered charity, the Foundation raises and stewards philanthropic dollars to cover the "local share" of hospital capital projects, including a new, state-of-the-art hospital campus, as well as vital medical equipment and furnishings that are not funded by the provincial government.

CGMHF leads a campaign of more than $100 million to support “Tomorrow’s Hospital”, complementing up to 90% construction funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health. Through annual giving, major gifts, endowments and legacy gifts, the Foundation channels community support into concrete improvements in patient care, infrastructure, technology and education.

Beyond core capital campaigns, the Foundation operates several structured funding vehicles that function as grant programs. The Wellness Innovation Fund explicitly “awards grants, on an annual basis, for innovative projects that focus on health and wellness in South Georgian Bay.” It is designed as a source of seed funding to launch or enhance wellness-focused programs, with a preference for projects that demonstrate financial sustainability. An open call for proposals, published guidelines and an application form allow local healthcare providers and community organizations to apply, and the site highlights multiple funded projects and partner organizations.

The Giving Circle is a women-led philanthropic circle that pools member contributions to fund “exceptional needs that would otherwise not be supported under the Hospital’s capital budget.” Each year, hospital staff pitch patient-care improvement ideas; members learn about the proposals, vote, and the highest-ranked projects receive funding. This creates a recurring, member-directed fund dedicated to system and program improvements within the hospital.

In addition, the Foundation manages endowment and legacy funds. Donors may create named endowments or contribute to existing funds whose capital is held in perpetuity, with investment income distributed annually to hospital priorities as specified by the donor. Recognition structures such as the Donatio in Eternam Wall, Endowment Wall and Dr. A. R. Stephen Society reflect this long-term grantmaking role.

CGMHF’s primary beneficiary is Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, but through the Wellness Innovation Fund it also supports a wider ecosystem of health and wellness partners across South Georgian Bay, including community health centres, hospices, youth programs and other non-profit organizations. Funded initiatives range from diagnostic and surgical innovations and mental health supports to community-based wellness, youth programming and palliative care enhancements.

The Foundation publishes donor impact reports, audited financial statements and newsletters to document how funds are allocated and the outcomes achieved. This transparency, combined with a volunteer Board of Directors and dedicated staff team, positions CGMHF as a key local funder of hospital infrastructure and innovative health and wellness projects in the region.