Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Cowichan District Hospital Foundation (CDHF)

The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation (CDHF) is a community-based charitable foundation dedicated to improving healthcare across the Cowichan Valley. Established to raise and steward philanthropic funds, it invests in medical equipment, facility upgrades and patient comfort items for Cowichan District Hospital, the long-term care facility Cairnsmore Place, Cowichan Hospice House and the new Cowichan District Hospital currently under construction.

Rather than delivering clinical services itself, the Foundation acts as a funding body. It channels donations, sponsorships and event proceeds into capital projects and equipment that are not fully covered by government budgets. Past accomplishments include funding an endoscopy suite, 3D mammography, automated dispensing cabinets, surgical tables, pediatric ward renovations, emergency department improvements, and numerous specialized devices such as fetal heart monitors, echocardiography equipment and pediatric ventilatory supports.

CDHF structures its fundraising around major campaigns and priority funds. Current initiatives include a multi‑year, $20 million New Hospital Fund, supported by a high-profile matching gift campaign with Jimmy Pattison, to equip the replacement Cowichan District Hospital with state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic and surgical technology. Other featured priorities are upgrades at Cairnsmore Place—such as replacement beds, therapeutic equipment and family spaces—and an “Area of Greatest Need” fund that lets the Foundation respond quickly to urgent equipment and capital requirements identified by healthcare partners.

The Foundation also supports long-term capital improvements at Cairnsmore Place and similar facilities, co-funding renovations, palliative care spaces and communal areas in partnership with Island Health and local auxiliaries. These investments aim to enhance quality of life, safety and dignity for residents and their families.

To sustain its grant-making, the Foundation uses a diversified fundraising model. Major annual events such as the Champagne Dinner and Auction gala and an annual charity golf tournament generate significant unrestricted revenue for equipment and patient care. Third‑party fundraisers led by individuals, businesses and community groups are encouraged and guided through a dedicated handbook, with CDHF receiving the proceeds.

Donors can contribute through one‑time gifts, monthly giving, memorial and tribute donations, planned giving in wills or trusts, gifts of securities and life insurance, and naming opportunities within the new hospital. The Foundation issues official tax receipts and promotes legacy giving as a way to create enduring funds for future healthcare investments.

CDHF’s funding benefits residents of the Cowichan Valley who rely on local hospital and long‑term care services. By financing advanced equipment and modern clinical spaces, the Foundation helps reduce wait times, expand local treatment options, decrease the need for travel to larger centres, and improve patient and family experiences. Its portfolio of completed and ongoing projects demonstrates a sustained role as a key philanthropic funder in the regional health system.