- Posted on May 28, 2025
Local hospital foundations become Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
News Release
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. | May 28, 2025
St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation and Grand River Hospital Foundation have come together to form Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (WRHN Foundation).
Following the recent merger of the local hospitals, the two hospital foundations have amalgamated to support the region’s healthcare needs.
The new WRHN Foundation serves as the unified philanthropic arm of Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), a union of local hospitals in the region. WRHN Foundation builds on decades of partnership between the legacy foundations in fundraising and community engagement that supported healthcare in the community.
"This is an exciting moment for our region,” says Tobi Day-Hamilton, chair, WRHN Foundation board and former board chair, Grand River Hospital Foundation. “By joining forces, we’re creating a stronger foundation for our donors, community members and our hospital partner. Together, we can make an even bigger difference in our community and bring even more support to our hospital network.”
Meeting the needs of a growing region
This transition comes as the region prepares for significant population growth; data from the Region of Waterloo suggests the population could surpass one million by 2050. By coming together, WRHN Foundation is positioned to address pressing challenges, such as a more diverse and aging community with increasingly complex healthcare demands.
“Our entire community benefits from this decision,” says Greg Brooks, former board chair, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation. “A unified foundation sets the stage for us to raise funds on a larger scale and deliver better outcomes for patients.”
The vital role of foundations
Hospital foundations aim to bridge government funding gaps by enabling hospitals to acquire advanced medical equipment, support innovative research and fund specialized programs that directly enhance patient care. Foundations also provide resources for facility upgrades, education for healthcare workers and community health initiatives that extend care beyond our hospital walls.
Greater community impact
In Ontario, community donations, fundraised through hospital foundations, help cover the cost of new and replacement medical equipment, which isn’t funded by the Ministry of Health.
WRHN Foundation will leverage the combined strengths of both legacy organizations to streamline operations, expand partnerships and maximize resources. In the 2024 fiscal year, Grand River Hospital Foundation and St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation raised more than $33 million combined to support essential medical equipment and programs.
Most recently, a joint MRI fundraising campaign brought WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd (formerly St. Mary’s General Hospital) its first MRI machine in 2024, while also expanding MRI capacity at WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River KW campus).
As an amalgamated organization, WRHN Foundation will continue to support care areas at the merged Hospital, carrying forward donor intentions.
Looking ahead
Recruitment for the inaugural CEO of the new foundation will commence soon, led by the WRHN Foundation board. Interim leadership will guide operations during this transition period.
WRHN Foundation will focus on addressing needs at current hospital locations, while planning for the future as work progresses for a new hospital building at the University of Waterloo’s North Campus.
Individuals interested in supporting the hospital can learn more on the FAQs page.
Media contact:
Alyssa Lai
Director, Communications, Marketing & Digital
About Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation raises funds to support life-saving care at Waterloo Regional Health Network.
Thanks to generous support from donors, we provide funding for vital equipment, programs and resources at WRHN that are not covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
