Role of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) in Eastern Ontario. Its core mandate is to raise and steward charitable donations in order to improve the quality of care, expand services and purchase state‑of‑the‑art medical equipment for the hospital. Serving the Prescott‑Russell region and surrounding communities, the Foundation channels community generosity into concrete hospital projects that keep specialized care close to home.
Since 1990, the Foundation has invested many millions of dollars in HGH. Major initiatives include support for the hospital’s redevelopment project, diagnostic imaging upgrades such as a CT scanner and MRI, expansion of endoscopy services, advanced mammography, and equipment for cardiology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and many other departments. Its current multi‑year campaign, There’s No Place Like Home, focuses on priorities like orthopedic surgery, urology, ophthalmology, endoscopy and advanced breast imaging technology.
Types of funding and supported initiatives
The Foundation typically provides project‑based funding and capital investments rather than operating grants. Examples outlined in its community and impact reports include:
- Large equipment purchases such as lithotripsy technology for kidney stone treatment, 3D mammography systems, Jackson spine tables, C‑ARM imaging devices, and ophthalmology suites.
- Targeted allocations to specific departments, including chemotherapy expansion, general surgery instruments, mental health and addictions services, cancer treatment supports and walk‑in counselling.
- Investments in staff and physician wellness, such as a rest cabin with massage and light therapy, and other workplace well‑being initiatives.
- Smaller but meaningful patient‑experience projects, for example personalized colouring kits for children visiting the Emergency Department.
- Occasional educational support, such as a joint scholarship with HGH at La Cité.
These funds are generally not distributed through open public grant competitions. Instead, they are directed to strategic hospital priorities identified in collaboration with HGH leadership, ensuring that donor contributions translate into measurable improvements in local health services.
Transparency, governance and accountability
The HGH Foundation publishes annual reports and audited financial statements, which are available on its website. These documents summarize fundraising results, outline how donations are invested each year, and present key statistics on impact. A volunteer board of directors and professional staff oversee governance, financial stewardship and alignment with hospital needs, while a Donor Bill of Rights and privacy policy reinforce ethical standards in fundraising and donor relations.
Publics served and regional impact
By helping to equip HGH with modern technology and expanded programs, the Foundation benefits patients across Prescott‑Russell and neighbouring areas who would otherwise travel to larger urban centres for specialist care. Donors include individuals, families, local businesses and community groups, who can contribute via major campaigns, general or specific funds, memorial giving, planned gifts, third‑party events and monthly or one‑time donations. The Foundation’s ongoing work supports a broad spectrum of care—from early cancer detection and cardiac diagnostics to surgery, dialysis, palliative care and mental health—contributing to a stronger, more accessible regional health system.