Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are questions and answers related to the legacy foundations’ voluntary decision to come together as WRHN Foundation.
They cover topics related to donations to WRHN, the rationale behind the decision and other information pertaining to the charitable work of the foundation.
We welcome comments or questions you may have, whether it’s about your donation or new ways to support.
For more information about our Hospital, Waterloo Regional Health Network, visit wrhn.ca
About the announcement
What’s being announced?
Local foundations supporting the former hospitals – Grand River and St. Mary’s – have voluntarily come together to form Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (WRHN Foundation).
The decision is led by the two legacy foundation boards, aligning with the Ministry of Health-approved merger to form a new, single hospital organization, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN).
What are the benefits and rationale of this decision?
Greater donor impact and positive patient outcomes are key factors prompting the foundations to join forces.
Data from the Region of Waterloo suggests the population could surpass one million by 2050. As the region grows and becomes more diverse, and as patient needs become more complex, an integrated approach to address health care needs is necessary.
Often, when a patient seeks hospital care, they are faced with multiple health conditions in different areas of care, whether it’s cancer, cardiac, thoracic, emergency, renal, pediatric or others.
One hospital foundation supporting a new, single hospital means better coordination and ability to steward donations toward integrated care areas, translating to improved patient care.
It also means greater capacity to raise funds for essential medical equipment and programs at the Hospital, leveraging expanded partnerships and the combined expertise and strengths of foundation staff at both organizations.
Together with our Hospital, we’re bringing communities together to support one hospital network.
How did the decision come about?
Prompted by the Hospital’s voluntary merger decision in April 2024, the two individual foundations began discussing how they could partner together to support patient care for the new, single hospital organization while also maintaining support for existing hospital locations.
In May 2025, the two foundation boards unanimously agreed to formally come together as one organization, becoming Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (WRHN Foundation).
The foundations’ voluntary decision is aligned with the approved merger by Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital to form Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN)
What is the new foundation’s name?
The new foundation is called Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation or WRHN (pronounced “wren”) Foundation for short.
What’s the location of the new foundation?
Individuals can connect with foundation staff at 914 King St. West and 435 The Boardwalk, Suite 300 and onsite at WRHN locations.
Our goal is to always ensure donors and community members can easily connect with us in person, by phone or online.
Donations to the legacy foundations or the new hospital building project
What does the decision mean for existing donations, pledges and estate donations made to the legacy foundations
Money donated to both foundations will continue to support patient care areas at the Hospital as directed by donors; this will not change with WRHN Foundation.
Donors can feel assured that their existing multi-year commitments will remain directed toward the care areas as previously requested.
Estate gifts to the legacy foundations will be directed to WRHN for priority needs or a designated care area.
- If you’re updating your will, please change the beneficiary to Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation (WRHN Foundation) or its successors.
For questions about specific details of estate gifts previously designated to the individual foundations, please contact:
- Jaime Wilson, VP, Development - 519-404-9583
- Ashley Howat, VP, Strategic Initiatives - 226-751-5847
- Trevor Eaton, Director of Philanthropy, Corporate - 519-654-2134
- Troy Murray, Director of Philanthropy, Major Gifts -519-575-5973
- Kourtney Parker, Director of Philanthropy, Annual Programs – 548-255-5340
Can I still donate to individual hospitals?
You can still donate to support areas of care and programs across WRHN sites (Queen’s Blvd., Midtown and Chicopee) that are most meaningful to you.
Your donations today will ensure that exceptional care continues for the next decade as we plan for a new hospital building.
Your current support and donations are not only necessary; they ensure we sustain a strong legacy of care well into the future. Whether it’s for cancer, cardiac, renal, pediatrics, emergency, respiratory care, or other priority needs, your donations help invest in quality care today and build our Hospital’s capabilities.
I’d like to donate to the new hospital building. How can I do that?
Absolutely! Please contact us to discuss further.
- Jaime Wilson, VP, Development - 519-404-9583
- Ashley Howat, VP, Strategic Initiatives - 226-751-5847
- Trevor Eaton, Director of Philanthropy, Corporate - 519-654-2134
- Troy Murray, Director of Philanthropy, Major Gifts -519-575-5973
- Kourtney Parker, Director of Philanthropy, Annual Programs – 548-255-5340
Our hospital partner, Waterloo Regional Health Network, provides ongoing updates about its plans for the new hospital building project and the transition toward becoming a single hospital organization.
Visit the Redevelopment website at futureofcaretogether.ca for more information.
The transition to the new, single hospital foundation
How will the transition to WRHN Foundation look?
We’re in the process of integrating our services and programs, working alongside our hospital partner Waterloo Regional Health Network to help shape the new foundation.
As part of that work, we’re also actively reviewing our signature and community events to ensure that we continue to offer meaningful ways for you to engage with us and directly support the different areas of care at the Hospital.
It’s important for donors and supporters to understand our plans; that’s why we’re connecting with individuals, groups and organizations to convey our intentions and approach to come together as one organization.
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many partnerships and have collaborated with many community members to support local healthcare. It’s our honour to work with you to drive impact, and it’s what we do best.
We look forward to continuing this spirit of collaboration as we shape the new foundation.
Who will be the CEO of WRHN Foundation?
Recruitment for the CEO of the new foundation will commence soon, led by the WRHN Foundation board.
Contact information
We’re looking forward to sharing more as WRHN Foundation.
We’re in the process of integrating our services and information systems and aim to fully harmonize them in the coming months.
In the meantime, please connect with us if you have questions or comments.
Donations, general inquiries or to host a fundraiser:
Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation:
- Charitable number: #88918 0394 RR 0001
- Phone numbers: 519-749-4205 or 519-749-6797
Locations:
- 914 King St West, Kitchener, N2G 1G4
- 435 The Boardwalk, Suite 300, Waterloo, ON, N2T 0C2
About your donations and impact
What are you raising money for?
Money donated to WRHN Foundation goes toward current, priority equipment and program needs at all Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) sites. Funds directly support patient care in vital ways – and no donation is ever too small to make a difference.
What are your top priority needs?
Several areas of WRHN will benefit from your donations, including but not limited to:
- Bringing Waterloo Region its first PET scanner – a vital tool for detecting cancer, evaluating brain disorders and assessing heart conditions
- Building a third cardiac catheterization (cath) lab, which will allow for more timely cardiac care and expanded cardiac services
- Building a neurosurgery program from the ground up
Why is this important now when a new hospital is on the horizon?
Our exciting new hospital building won’t be ready for another decade. During that time, the population of Waterloo Region will expand dramatically (The Region projects 800,000 residents by 2036 and 1 million by 2050).
That means our current Hospital sites need to be equipped to handle our community’s growing health-care needs.
Can I specify which location benefits from my donation?
We want to honour your goal to support the area of care that’s most meaningful to you.
Every department within WRHN has funding needs, but you can choose to give to a specified care area, such as cancer, cardiac, pediatrics, mental health or others.
Add a comment when making your online donation and we will ensure it is processed correctly.
Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. Every online donation, no matter the amount, receives an automatic emailed tax receipt addressed from WRHN Foundation.
If you give another way: mailing in a donation, giving over the telephone or in person, you will receive a tax receipt in the mail.
If you have questions about your tax receipt, please contact: 519.749.4205
How do I make an offline donation?
Donating online is a quick, easy and secure way to make an impact on patient care at WRHN. If you’d like to donate another way, you can certainly do that:
- Mail in a cheque to:
Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
435 The Boardwalk, Suite 300, Waterloo, ON, N2T 0C2
- Call our office:
- Visit one of our foundation offices:
Does my small donation really make a difference?
Yes! All the little donations add up to big impact: what if everyone in Waterloo Region donated $20 to WRHN Foundation this year? We’d have nearly $14 million to help improve patient and staff experience across all our care areas.
While the price tag of big-ticket items on the Foundation’s wish list is often in the millions, there are several smaller – yet still vital – pieces of equipment that need funding all across the Hospital.
Whatever amount you choose to give, know that it will make a difference in how WRHN is able to deliver care. And that has ripple effects on people across our community.
What are the benefits of donating monthly?
Monthly donations are a meaningful way to support WRHN patients right now, and sustain that support over the long run.
Your monthly gifts not only allow the Foundation to fund equipment and programs our community relies on currently, but they also let us plan for the future in more significant ways.
