Grant and Funding Programs Offered by The Auxiliary of the Montreal General Hospital

The Auxiliary of the Montreal General Hospital is a long‑standing, volunteer‑run not‑for‑profit that plays a complementary funding role within the McGill University Health Centre environment. Created in 1947, the Auxiliary has raised more than seven million dollars, channelling this support primarily toward patient care and comfort, medical research and the purchase of medical equipment at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH). Surplus funds generated through its activities are also distributed to several smaller, local charities, giving the Auxiliary a broader community impact.

The organization works in close collaboration with the Montreal General Hospital Foundation and with the hospital’s Planning Department to identify worthwhile projects and expenditures. This partnership ensures that the funds it disburses are aligned with institutional priorities and directly enhance the quality of care and the patient experience.

The Auxiliary raises money mainly through the management of five on‑site retail operations: a restaurant, a gift shop, a café at the Cedar Avenue entrance, an in‑house catering kitchen and service, and the Book Nook used‑book shop. These operations generate revenue that is reinvested in hospital needs and community causes consistent with the Auxiliary’s mandate.

Funds are allocated to initiatives that improve patient comfort, support clinical environments such as family rooms and lounges, and contribute to research and equipment needs at the MGH. Although the Auxiliary does not advertise formal open grant competitions, it clearly acts as a discretionary funding body, assessing projects in conjunction with hospital planning staff and directing its financial resources accordingly.

Formed in 1947, the Auxiliary is governed by an Executive and a Board of Directors composed of active members. The Executive oversees operations and supports the planning and management of fundraising events. All members of the Auxiliary are volunteers, many of whom donate several hours per week in the retail outlets, hospital clinics and departments. Their efforts have been nationally recognized, with several members receiving the Governor General’s award for meritorious volunteering.

The Auxiliary also welcomes financial donations and bequests, which complement revenues from commercial activities. Donors are encouraged to give either directly to the Auxiliary or through the Montreal General Hospital Foundation, with which the Auxiliary coordinates the management of its funds.

Through its funding, the Auxiliary primarily serves patients of the Montreal General Hospital by improving comfort, amenities and access to equipment, while also supporting hospital staff and the wider community via select local charities. Its combination of volunteer engagement, retail operations and targeted financial support makes it an important grassroots partner in the hospital’s overall funding landscape.