Role of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Jewish General Hospital Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) in Montréal, Quebec. It mobilizes private donations from individuals, families, corporations and community partners and channels them into strategic investments that strengthen patient care, research and innovation at the JGH and its Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research. Through large-scale campaigns such as the $400 million “Tomorrow’s” campaign, the Foundation funds digital health initiatives, major facility upgrades, state-of-the-art equipment and a growing endowment.
Main funding themes and sectors
- Digital health and virtual care: support for initiatives like the Connected Health Record, a hospital Command Centre, Hospital@Home programs and the work of a Digital Health Officer to improve access and outcomes.
- Research and innovation: investments in the Lady Davis Institute, new research facilities, a Centre for Digital Health and Applied Precision Medicine, and funding that helps launch laboratories and high-potential research projects.
- Facilities and equipment: refurbishment of legacy buildings, modernization of inpatient units, radiology and nuclear medicine, a new pharmacy, and replacement of major imaging equipment.
- Endowment and strategic priorities: building an endowment so the hospital can respond quickly to emerging needs and promising ideas in care delivery and research.
Funding approach and impact
The Foundation operates as a discretionary funder rather than through open public grant competitions. Donor contributions are directed to priority projects identified with hospital leadership. The site highlights numerous donor-funded initiatives—from robotic surgery systems and psychiatry units to specialized clinics and biobank infrastructure—documented in annual and impact reports. An Innovation, Research and Priorities Allocation on certain restricted gifts also supports innovation and core infrastructure at the hospital, the Lady Davis Institute and the Foundation itself.
Supported audiences and overall impact
Funding ultimately benefits patients from Montréal, across Quebec and beyond who rely on the Jewish General Hospital for acute care, specialized treatments and cutting-edge clinical research. By investing in people, programs, facilities and technology, the Foundation helps maintain the JGH’s standing as one of Canada’s leading hospitals and a centre of world-class healthcare.