Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Foundation

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Foundation is the official fundraising arm of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. The foundation mobilizes philanthropic support from individuals, families, corporations and community groups to fund priority needs across Sunnybrook’s 10 vital program areas. Donations are used to enhance patient care, expand clinical trials, purchase advanced equipment and create state-of-the-art spaces such as the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre and the Peter Cipriano Centre for Seniors Health.

Rather than operating open public grant competitions, the foundation works closely with hospital leadership to channel donor contributions into strategic initiatives in cancer care, brain sciences, heart and vascular health, trauma and critical care, women and babies, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, veterans’ care and integrated community programs. Many initiatives, including the Family Navigation Project for youth mental health and specialized clinics and operating rooms, are explicitly described as donor-funded.

The primary beneficiaries of Sunnybrook Foundation’s funding are patients and families served by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, along with the clinicians, researchers and trainees who deliver and improve care. Donor support helps launch and sustain hundreds of clinical trials, implement novel treatments such as focused ultrasound and image-guided neuromodulation, reduce surgical wait times, and renovate or expand patient care environments.

Through community events, corporate partnerships, tribute and legacy giving, and workplace campaigns, the foundation aggregates contributions ranging from small individual gifts to major transformative donations. These resources are then allocated to program priorities identified by the hospital, enabling Sunnybrook to maintain its status as one of Canada’s top hospitals and a leader in innovation in areas such as cancer therapy, cardiovascular medicine, trauma, women’s health and seniors’ health.

The foundation highlights donor impact via detailed impact stories, program area reports and an impact and financial summary, showing how funds are invested in research, infrastructure and patient services. Volunteer leadership through a governing council and board of directors helps ensure responsible stewardship, alignment with Sunnybrook’s strategic plan and clear reporting to donors and the wider community.

Sunnybrook Foundation also acts as a hub for community and corporate fundraising. It designs sponsorship opportunities for signature events like RBC Race for the Kids, organizes hospital-led events, and supports third-party initiatives ranging from golf tournaments to rides and concerts. These partnerships extend the reach of Sunnybrook’s mission and generate additional funding to accelerate life-saving and life-changing care.