The QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation, commonly known as the QEII Foundation, is a charitable healthcare foundation based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As Atlantic Canada’s largest healthcare foundation, it mobilizes community philanthropy and directs funding to the QEII Health Sciences Centre and related Nova Scotia Health initiatives. Each year, the Foundation channels millions of donor dollars into programs, equipment, technology, facilities, education and research that transform care for patients from across Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region.
Role of the QEII Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The QEII Foundation acts as a key financial partner to the QEII Health Sciences Centre, funding new diagnostic and treatment technologies, clinical innovation, medical research and professional education. Its Current Priorities portfolio spans areas such as heart health, cancer care, surgical innovation, nuclear medicine, transportable MRI units, mental health, rehabilitation and patient experience. Through large-scale campaigns like the $100‑million “We Are” campaign, the Foundation supports both major capital projects and nimble investments that improve access, outcomes and the overall quality of care.
Grant, bursary and fund programs
- Innovation Catalyst Fund – a donor-backed fund that provides innovation grants for healthcare scientists and QEII leaders. Modeled on Nova Scotia Health’s innovation approach, it offers strategic financial support to projects that refine systems, build prototypes, run trials and demonstrate proof of concept. Projects are vetted on impact, scalability and potential to advance clinical care, with grants highlighted through the QEII Foundation Innovation Den event.
- Health Equity Fund – a first-of-its-kind $1‑million initiative, capitalized by Emera, that provides grants to healthcare leaders and researchers advancing health equity across Nova Scotia. Administered through the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, it guarantees approximately $200,000 in annual funding for projects addressing disparities in access, experience and outcomes for rural residents and equity‑deserving communities.
- Diversity in Health Care Bursaries – a competitive bursary program that awards financial support to post-secondary students from underserved and underrepresented communities who are pursuing healthcare studies, from college to PhD. Hundreds of bursaries have been awarded since 2018, helping diversify the future health workforce, with an annual call for applications and online application portal.
- Heart Health funds – including an Impact Fund for cutting-edge cardiac and vascular technology and the Maritime Heart Centre Innovation Fund. These donor-funded research grants and equipment investments help QEII teams test new approaches, acquire specialized tools and stay at the forefront of cardiac innovation.
- QEII Patient Essentials Fund – a donor-supported patient support fund that provides immediate gift cards for gas, groceries, pharmacy and personal care items to patients facing financial hardship during treatment, distributed through QEII and Nova Scotia Health care teams.
Publics served and overall impact
The Foundation’s funding primarily benefits adult patients receiving specialized care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, including in heart health, cancer care, neurosurgery and organ transplantation. It also supports frontline clinicians, researchers and healthcare trainees through grants, bursaries and innovation funds, strengthening the provincial health system’s capacity and talent pipeline. Beyond major investments such as surgical robots, hybrid operating rooms and transportable MRI units, the QEII Foundation backs smaller but critical purchases and pilot projects that can quickly improve patient experience and clinical workflows.
Mission, governance and accountability
Guided by its mission of inspiring generosity to advance health care through the QEII, the Foundation emphasizes accountability, transparency and donor trust. Strategic directions for 2022‑2025 focus on acting as agents of change, influencers and innovators, aligning closely with Nova Scotia Health leadership to ensure funded priorities match urgent system needs. Through detailed impact stories, news updates and public reporting on funded projects and bursary recipients, the QEII Foundation demonstrates how philanthropic dollars are converted into measurable health improvements for communities across Atlantic Canada.