Charitable donations have supported St. Marys Memorial Hospital throughout its history.
Fundraising began in the 1940s when a campaign was launched to build a hospital to commemorate the community’s losses after World War II. Since then, donors have continued to support projects at St. Marys Memorial Hospital. In tight economic times, the hospital depends on donations to pay for equipment not covered by Ministry of Health funding.
Non-profit foundations like the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Foundation focus on raising funds for a specific charity in their community. They provide a way for donors to set up endowed funds without the costs of starting a foundation of their own. In turn, they make grants or operate programs with the income earned from investing those endowments.
The foundation’s mandate is stated in its Letters Patent, issued in 1992:
- To receive and maintain a fund and to apply the income for the benefit of the services or patient care provided by the St. Marys Memorial Hospital.
- To support from time to time any charitable organization which promotes the goals of the corporation — that is, the health and wellness of the community.
- To develop planned, coherent and ongoing donor programs.
The Foundation Board has nine directors. Read more for a look at the current directors.