Grant and Funding Programs Offered by St. Francis Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

The St. Francis Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is a long-standing volunteer organization that has supported St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay, Ontario since 1960. Composed of roughly 350 members and led by an elected executive committee, the Auxiliary plays a key role in enhancing patient care, comfort and hospital services through targeted financial support.

The Auxiliary raises funds primarily through the operation of the hospital Gift Shop, as well as through HELPP tickets, raffles, and the sale of community cookbooks. Revenue from these activities is directed to the hospital to purchase medical and patient-care equipment. Over time, the Auxiliary reports having provided approximately $1,000,000 in funding, demonstrating its importance as a dedicated, ongoing source of financial support for capital and equipment needs.

Funding from the Auxiliary benefits hospital patients, staff and visitors by helping ensure access to up-to-date equipment and improved amenities. While the Auxiliary does not operate formal grant programs with open calls, it functions as a discretionary funder within the hospital environment, allocating the proceeds of its fundraising activities to priority equipment and service needs identified in collaboration with hospital leadership.

The Auxiliary is run entirely by volunteers, including officers responsible for finance, membership, public relations and social activities. Community members can join the Auxiliary or support it as customers of the Gift Shop, which offers tax-free gifts, clothing, religious articles and miscellaneous items. Through these activities, the Auxiliary strengthens local engagement with the hospital while channelling financial resources back into healthcare services for the region.