Role of Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation is a registered charitable foundation dedicated to improving health care for residents of Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra and the broader Tri-Cities area within the Fraser Health Authority. Its primary purpose is to raise funds and awareness to improve the health of the community through donations to Eagle Ridge Hospital and related community health initiatives. The foundation helps bridge the gap between basic government funding and the level of care made possible through state-of-the-art equipment, facility enhancements and specialized programs.
Each year, the foundation commits significant financial support to Eagle Ridge Hospital and the surrounding community. The current equipment list notes a commitment of over $1.1 million in a single year to fund priority medical equipment, special programming and other high-need resources. Past campaigns have included a $5 million fundraising commitment toward a $37.5 million emergency department expansion, demonstrating its role as a major capital project funder.
Funding themes and types of support
The foundation directs donor dollars into several key funding streams:
- Capital and infrastructure projects – Contributions to large-scale projects such as the expansion of the hospital’s emergency department, designed to increase capacity, improve patient flow and enhance safety.
- Medical equipment – Purchase of priority diagnostic and treatment equipment across departments such as emergency, operating rooms, laboratory, cardiology, home health, rehabilitation and long-term care. The equipment list includes items like orthopedic video towers, endoscopic surgical systems, simulators, defibrillators and specialized lab instruments.
- Community health programs – Ongoing, donor-funded programs that extend care beyond hospital walls, including restorative tattoo clinics for cancer survivors, hearing support for children, youth mental health services and recreation therapy for adults living with mental illness.
- Special programming and resources – Support for initiatives that enhance patient comfort, recovery, mental wellness and social connection, such as therapeutic activities, environmental improvements and innovative care models.
Supported audiences and impact
The foundation’s funding reaches a wide range of beneficiaries: emergency and surgical patients, children and youth facing hearing or mental health challenges, adults in long-term mental health lodges, and individuals recovering from cancer surgery. Programs such as the Areola Tattoo Clinic and Facial Aesthetic Medical Tattooing Clinic provide restorative services at no cost, addressing both physical and emotional aspects of healing. Youth-focused initiatives like the START program and Youth Concurrent Disorders recreation therapy aim to strengthen coping skills, reduce anxiety and support social integration.
By partnering closely with Fraser Health and hospital leadership to define current priorities, the foundation ensures funded projects align with clinical needs and strategic plans. Stories and impact articles on the site highlight how donor-funded initiatives translate into tangible improvements in patient care and community wellness.
Transparency, governance and accountability
Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that includes community leaders, health professionals and business representatives, alongside an ex officio member from hospital administration. A dedicated staff team manages fundraising, donor relations, major gifts, events, communications and finance. The foundation publishes audited financial statements and community reports, offering transparency about funds raised, allocation of donations and progress on fundraising priorities.
Consistent with board policy, a portion of designated and restricted donations is allocated to support the work and long-term sustainability of the foundation, with net proceeds directed to the restricted purpose or future campaigns as needed. This governance framework supports responsible management of donor contributions while maximizing impact on patient-centred care.