Role of the Hospital Foundation of La Malbaie in the funding ecosystem
The Hospital Foundation of La Malbaie (FHLM) is a charitable, non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting Hôpital de La Malbaie, the main healthcare facility for the Charlevoix region in Québec. Created in 1985, the foundation mobilizes donors, partners and volunteers to raise funds and reinvest them in priority healthcare projects. Its support complements the public health system by financing equipment and initiatives that would otherwise be delayed or impossible.
Guided by its mission, FHLM invests in the purchase of medical equipment, the redevelopment of care spaces and projects that improve the experience and well‑being of patients, families and staff. Over the years, more than 7 million dollars have been invested in operating rooms, imaging, obstetrics, oncology, palliative care, physiotherapy and other hospital departments.
General funding approach and programs
The foundation operates both through recurring fundraising campaigns (annual campaign, golf tournament, memorial giving, planned giving and targeted programs like « Mon premier chapeau ») and through structured internal calls for projects. Staff from the CIUSSS de la Capitale‑Nationale associated with Hôpital de La Malbaie can submit funding requests for projects that enhance care quality, introduce new technologies, improve work conditions or upgrade patient environments.
The “Demande de financement” process uses a standard application form and clear priorities: projects that accelerate treatments, facilitate clinical investigation, reduce convalescence, avoid transfers outside Charlevoix, support medical recruitment and generally improve patients’ quality of life are favoured. Eligible projects are analyzed during scheduled board meetings, ensuring governance and alignment with hospital priorities.
Transparency, governance and reporting
FHLM publishes annual reports and makes key documents available online, providing an overview of achievements, funded investments by department and the impact of donations. The foundation emphasizes integrity, transparency and rigorous management of public donations, reflecting high standards of accountability to donors, partners and the hospital community.
Supported audiences and overall impact
Funding primarily targets users of Hôpital de La Malbaie and its associated services, from newborns and families in the Obstetrics and Birth Unit to adults and seniors in surgery, oncology, emergency, respiratory physiology, physiotherapy and palliative care. Projects range from highly specialized equipment (scanners, arthroscopy systems, respiratory monitors) to human‑centred initiatives such as family spaces, end‑of‑life rooms and symbolic projects like the Station de l’Espoir. Through these programs, the foundation helps maintain local access to quality care and strengthens the resilience of the regional health network.