Deer Lodge Centre Foundation is a non-profit charitable foundation created to support Deer Lodge Centre, one of Manitoba’s largest rehabilitation and long-term care facilities with a historic mandate toward Canadian Veterans. Founded in 1990, the Foundation raises and allocates philanthropic funds to strengthen specialized services in rehabilitation, complex continuing care, dementia care, mental health, bariatrics and other programs that improve the quality of life of adults with complex health needs.
Role of Deer Lodge Centre Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Foundation acts as the fundraising and granting arm for Deer Lodge Centre. It channels community donations, legacy gifts and event revenues into priority projects such as unit refurbishments, capital equipment, program enhancements and staff education. Campaigns highlight key focus areas including transforming dementia care through purpose-built environments and therapeutic equipment, and honouring Veterans by supporting dedicated care units and mental health services such as the Operational Stress Injury Clinic.
Research funding and Annual Research Awards
A distinctive component of the Foundation’s work is its support for clinical and health-services research. Through the “Research at Deer Lodge Centre” portfolio, the Foundation explicitly funds research projects carried out at the Centre and announces competitive Annual Research Awards, for which applications are invited using a formal application form. Projects must align with Deer Lodge Centre’s strategic goals, such as enhancing client and family experience, improving service quality, nurturing staff and client potential, improving patient flow and strengthening partnerships. Research activities are coordinated with the Deer Lodge Centre Research Committee to ensure ethics approval, impact review and knowledge translation.
Communities served and overall impact
The Foundation’s financial support benefits Veterans, seniors and adults from across Manitoba who require complex and long-term care, as well as their families and care teams. Donors can direct gifts to specific care areas, research, equipment or education. Annual reports to the community document funds raised, investments made and stories of impact, reinforcing transparency and stewardship. By combining targeted campaigns, discretionary project funding and recurring research awards, Deer Lodge Centre Foundation plays a central role in sustaining and innovating care and research within the Deer Lodge Centre.