The Bethany Group (Camrose) Foundation is the dedicated charitable foundation supporting The Bethany Group, a faith‑based non‑profit that delivers continuing care, seniors’ housing and social housing across roughly 30 communities in central Alberta. While the organization receives core operational funding from the provincial government, many quality‑of‑life items and program enhancements fall outside regular budgets. The Foundation exists specifically to bridge this gap by raising and stewarding donations and endowment funds.
Role of the Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Bethany Group (Camrose) Foundation concentrates its financial support on internal priorities that directly benefit residents and clients. Its stated priorities include funding special projects and programs, sustaining the Chaplaincy Program, promoting community education on seniors’ care, and building endowments to meet future needs. All donations are received and managed by the Foundation, and each dollar is directed to current or future needs within The Bethany Group.
The Foundation typically finances capital items and program enhancements that are not covered by government funding. Examples highlighted on the site include therapeutic bathtubs for long‑term care, blanket warmers, Broda and sleeper chairs, pressure‑relief mattresses and air surfaces, chapel technology, palliative care carts, physiotherapy equipment and upgrades to dining room furnishings. These investments aim to improve comfort, dignity, safety and holistic care for seniors and other vulnerable clients.
Funding mechanisms and types of support
Support is provided on a discretionary basis through the Foundation’s board and leadership, rather than via open public grant competitions. Funds come from individual donations, corporate giving, community campaigns and legacy gifts. Donors can give online through partners such as ATB Cares and CanadaHelps, or by mailing contributions directly to the Foundation. Endowment gifts are invested, with only the interest used to fund ongoing initiatives, allowing for long‑term, person‑centred care.
The site also describes legacy giving as an important mechanism, inviting donors to include the Foundation in their wills or estate plans. This planned giving model helps secure funding for long‑range priorities like equipment replacement cycles and the continuation of chaplaincy and educational initiatives.
Governance, transparency and reporting
The Bethany Foundation is overseen by a volunteer Foundation Board that works alongside The Bethany Group’s Governing Board. Community members are invited to apply to serve on the Foundation Board, contributing their skills to guide charitable priorities and ensure funds are used effectively. Prospective board members can consult a detailed position description and fillable application forms published online.
Broader organizational accountability is supported through audited consolidated financial statements, a multi‑year strategic plan, and annual reports made publicly available for The Bethany Group. While these documents focus on the parent organization, they help contextualize how donor funding and foundation‑supported projects contribute to overall service delivery and strategic goals.
Beneficiaries and impact
Beneficiaries of the Foundation’s funding are primarily residents, tenants and program participants within The Bethany Group’s facilities, including long‑term care units such as Rosehaven, Memory Lane, Eastview and Westview, as well as lodges and housing in communities like Camrose, Bashaw, Lacombe and Wetaskiwin. Completed project summaries illustrate how even relatively modest capital investments can significantly enhance comfort, independence and spiritual support for seniors and families.
Through ongoing project campaigns and periodic targeted purchases, the Bethany Group (Camrose) Foundation plays a focused but meaningful role in Alberta’s care and housing ecosystem, channeling community generosity into tangible improvements in daily life for vulnerable populations.