Role of Pacific Public Health Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Pacific Public Health Foundation (PPHF) is a BC-based public health charity and foundation dedicated to advancing a healthier, safer, and more equitable future for everyone in British Columbia. Closely aligned with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and partners across the province, the Foundation raises and stewards philanthropic funds, then invests them in innovative, collaborative, and evidence-based public health initiatives.
The Foundation explicitly positions itself as a leader in public health philanthropy, engaging and investing in projects that span research, applied programs, and policy-oriented work. It funds and facilitates public health research, implements programs in partnership with health and community organizations, and supports the generation and use of evidence to drive policy decisions that yield measurable health impacts in BC communities.
Funding priorities and types of initiatives supported
PPHF’s portfolio is organized around major campaigns and thematic projects that respond to pressing public health priorities. Campaigns such as Your Health, Our Commitment and Together We Act channel donor contributions into multiple projects and initiatives, ranging from toxic drug poisoning prevention and safer supply efforts to climate-related health impacts, Indigenous health and wellness, youth mental health, and surveillance innovations like wastewater testing.
Through these campaigns, the Foundation supports upstream, equity-driven interventions, including applied research, community-based initiatives, and systems-level solutions. Examples highlighted on the site include Foundation-funded wastewater surveillance that informed COVID‑19 decision-making, and work to prevent childhood asthma through proactive public health strategies. The Foundation also showcases a growing portfolio of projects across BC that promote health equity, community resiliency, and measurable improvements in population health.
Governance, transparency, and impact
PPHF is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and advised by senior public health leaders and researchers. It publishes annual reports and audited financial statements, demonstrating how donated funds are allocated across programs and campaigns and documenting outcomes and stories of impact. This governance and reporting structure underpins its role as a trusted intermediary between donors and public health partners, ensuring that philanthropic investments translate into practical, evidence-based solutions for communities throughout British Columbia.