Role of Finding Hope Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Finding Hope Foundation is a registered charitable foundation based in Ottawa that was created in 2012 to respond to the needs of people affected by cystic fibrosis and mental health issues in the Ottawa area. The foundation’s primary fundraising vehicle is the annual 100 Holes of Hope Golf Marathon, a one-day golf marathon that mobilizes “Golf Warriors”, sponsors and pledgers to raise significant sums for health-related charities. Over nine events, the foundation reports having raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to partner organizations.
The foundation does not run treatment programs itself; instead, it channels the funds it raises to established healthcare charities and hospital foundations. Beneficiary organizations explicitly named include The Ottawa Hospital Foundation – in particular its Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic patient care and treatment programs – The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health Research and Care, and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. An associated Emilie Joinette Inspiration Fund was also created to support patient-focused healthcare and support programs at The Ottawa Hospital Adult CF Clinic.
General funding approach and beneficiaries
Finding Hope Foundation positions its mission as raising funds to provide financial support to health-related charities in the Ottawa region, with an emphasis on life‑threatening or debilitating illnesses. Money collected through event pledges, corporate sponsorships and individual donations is granted to a small number of partner organizations that advance physical and mental wellness. The foundation highlights that, in its first nine events, 100 Holes of Hope has raised around $575,000, all of which has been directed to its selected beneficiary charities.
Rather than operating open call grant programs, the foundation appears to work through ongoing relationships with these hospital and health charities. Funds are used for purposes such as patient care and treatment programs at cystic fibrosis clinics, mental health research and diagnostic equipment, and related support services. Tax receipts are issued for eligible donations, and the foundation provides its CRA charitable registration number, reinforcing its formal status as a grantmaking charity.
Governance, volunteers and community impact
The foundation is run by volunteers and states that its only expenses are those directly related to running the 100 Holes of Hope event. Its board and lead volunteers include professionals with backgrounds in design, finance, and philanthropy who have long-standing involvement with cystic fibrosis and mental health fundraising in Ottawa. Detailed event information guides, waiver forms and pledge processes reflect a structured approach to stewardship of funds and donor relations.
Through its focused portfolio of beneficiary organizations and its recurring golf marathon, Finding Hope Foundation plays a niche but impactful role in the local health funding landscape. By aggregating community philanthropy and channeling it to specialized hospital foundations and disease-focused charities, it helps expand access to care, research, and support programs for individuals and families living with cystic fibrosis and mental health challenges.