Role of Jocelyn Hutton Foundation Inc. in the funding ecosystem
Jocelyn Hutton Foundation Inc. is the dedicated fundraising and funding arm for Jocelyn House Hospice in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Created in December 2011 as a separate entity by the Jocelyn House Hospice board, the Foundation was established to expand and stabilize the hospice’s fundraising program. It is a registered charity and typically raises about $350,000 each year through direct appeals to donors, community campaigns and special events.
The Foundation’s sole beneficiary is Jocelyn House Hospice, a small residential hospice providing end-of-life care in a home-like setting. Rather than operating open-call grant programs, the Foundation channels all money it receives back to this hospice to cover non-government-funded aspects of care.
Types of activities and services funded
According to the Foundation’s page, all funds are granted back to Jocelyn House Hospice. Donations help purchase groceries, maintain and improve the living environment, and support spiritual care and volunteer programs. Funding is also used for the “small but comforting extras” that improve residents’ quality of life during their last days, such as home-like amenities, shared meals and supportive activities for families.
Government health funding only covers part of the cost of hospice care, so the Foundation’s grants fill the gap by underwriting ongoing operating expenses. This includes day-to-day necessities, enhancements to the facility, and complementary services like spiritual and bereavement support that are central to hospice palliative care but often underfunded.
Community-based fundraising model
The Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors that works with partners across the community. Funds are raised through direct mail and donor appeals as well as signature events such as Sunday Supper, Band Together, Behind Closed Doors at St. Vital Centre and the Friends for Life Ladies Luncheon. Third-party initiatives organized by community groups and businesses also generate donations in the Foundation’s name.
This community-based model positions the Foundation as a key philanthropic hub for individuals, families, and local businesses who want to support hospice palliative care in Winnipeg. While it does not invite project proposals from external organizations, it plays a grantmaking role by converting this community support into stable financial assistance for Jocelyn House Hospice’s programs and services.