Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Cumberland Health Care Foundation (CHCF)

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is a community-based charitable foundation created to strengthen health services in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. Since its founding in 1993, it has raised more than $21 million to support new and improved services, programs, equipment and facilities associated with the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and related community health initiatives. The Foundation manages a portfolio of funds that channel donor contributions into concrete health care improvements across the county.

Through its various funds, the Foundation finances essential hospital equipment, enhancements to patient care and comfort, and infrastructure that helps the local health system respond to changing needs. Donor-supported investments have provided millions of dollars for medical devices, transportation, nutrition support, and comfort items that directly benefit patients and families.

The Foundation’s funding is organized around several broad themes. Patient care and support funds focus on treatment, care, and comfort, including programs such as the Cumberland Cancer Assistance Program and the Palliative Care Fund, which offer direct financial assistance for travel, nutritional supplements, medical supplies, and other essential needs for patients in active treatment or end-of-life care.

Another cluster of funds targets mental health and addictions, contributing to programming, direct patient supplies, and comfort care. Examples include purchasing vehicles to transport clients to services across the county and smaller therapeutic items like weighted vests and blankets for children.

The Foundation also supports health care professionals and education through recruitment and retention initiatives and bursary-oriented funds. These investments help attract and retain nurses, technologists and other non-physician professionals, as well as improve the work environment for existing staff.

Additional funds focus on foundation strength and equipment, including endowment funds that provide sustainable, long-term support, and community and recognition funds that help create healing spaces, support volunteers, and honour staff through initiatives such as the “I Care” Fund.

The Foundation operates both designated funds with specific purposes and an “Area of Greatest Need” fund. Unrestricted donations to this latter fund give the organization flexibility to direct money where it is most urgently required at any given time, balancing well-funded programs with areas facing immediate pressure.

Impact is demonstrated through long-term investments—such as the original capital campaign to build the regional hospital—and ongoing operational support for equipment purchases, patient assistance programs, and professional development. The Foundation highlights accountability and ethical fundraising, publishes financial statements, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors with dedicated staff support.

Established in 1993 to support construction of a new regional hospital, the Foundation led the “Above and Beyond Campaign”, raising $7.8 million toward what became the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, opened in 2001. Since then, it has continued to fund capital improvements and programmatic initiatives while recognizing volunteers and community partners through awards and special appeals. Community-led fundraising campaigns and donor recognition initiatives illustrate its deep integration in the local health and philanthropic ecosystem.