Will you open your door and answer the call for local healthcare?
WRHN Foundation is expanding our communication to donors and community members.
Why? It is time to build a healthcare system that meets the needs of local communities, now and in the future. And we need your help.
Soon, you may get a telephone call, a text message, or a visit from us at your door. You can use this webpage to verify a call, text, or visit.
WRHN Foundation is working with fundraising partners to help us reach out to community members in new, more personalized ways.
We’ll share updates about our work, answer your questions, and invite you to support local healthcare at WRHN.
Tele-fundraising and door-to-door fundraising explained
Calls are being made on behalf of WRHN Foundation by Engage Fundraising. Door-to-door visits are being made on behalf of WRHN Foundation by Globalfaces Direct. Both are trusted fundraising partners. Their work will begin in July, 2026.
Whether the conversation is over the phone or face-to-face, our representatives will share how donations to WRHN Foundation help strengthen healthcare close to home, now and into the future. That means letting you know how your monthly gift funds access to care today, and paves the way for WRHN’s long-term redevelopment vision and the new acute hospital planned for the University of Waterloo campus.
Door-to-door visits and telephone calls give us the chance to meet our community members directly and create more personal connections. This is your healthcare system, and we want you to feel the impact of your generosity.
- Always make sure the person calling or knocking at your door can identify themselves and explain why they’re contacting you.
Always make sure the person calling or knocking at your door can identify themselves and explain why they’re contacting you.
If you’re not sure who the person is affiliated with, ask again. Our canvassers carry photo ID badges and wear vests branded with WRHN Foundation’s logo.
Why you’re receiving a call, text, or visit
You may receive a call or visit if you have supported or attended an event with WRHN Foundation, Grand River Hospital Foundation, St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation, or related healthcare initiatives in the past, or if you are a member of the community who may be interested in learning more about supporting local healthcare.
What will happen during the call or visit
A representative may ask if you would consider making a donation to WRHN Foundation. You are welcome to ask questions, request more information, or contact WRHN Foundation directly at 519-749-4205 or info@wrhnf.ca to confirm the campaign.
Expanding fundraising — why now?
As we get closer to building our new hospital, there are current priority needs across WRHN’s care areas that need urgent attention. Monthly donations help us elevate care across all WRHN sites.
Everything from lab and pharmacy tools to cancer treatment equipment and large diagnostic machines, it’s all funded by community support.
- WRHN serves more than 1.4 million residents today — about 10 per cent of Ontarians
- WRHN is currently 145 beds below the Ontario average for its population size
Calls and visits from our fundraising partners will help us reach more community members and share why this work matters.
Why Give?
Donations to WRHN Foundation fund priority needs across all care areas – and help
us build new health programs and initiatives for our community.
Donor generosity ensures our friends, neighbours, and loved ones continue to get the care they deserve – right here at home.
Greater access to care that's close to home
- More than 1.4 million people across Waterloo Region and beyond rely on Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) for their care. That number is expected to increase by over 40% in the next 20 years
- Today, WRHN cares for more than 259,000 unique patients each year. Across our three hospital sites, community locations, and partnered hubs, with a new hospital planned at the University of Waterloo, we continue to expand our reach and impact to better serve our growing community.
- The cost of new and replacement hospital equipment isn't covered by Ministry of Health funding. Your generosity means greater access to the care our community needs -- right here at home.
Building for future generations
- WRHN is currently planning Waterloo Region’s New Hospital, which, pending government approval, will bring much needed facilities and beds to the region by 2035
- We are also planning to renovate and expand our existing sites - Midtown and Chicopee - with new and expanded programs. Your support helps lay the foundation for care that will serve our region for decades to come.
- More space and new capacity means shorter waits and faster access to the care our community is counting on.
Want to learn more? Browse these other FAQs or contact us for more information.
How do I confirm a call or visit?
If you receive a phone call or visit and would like to verify that it is legitimate, please contact WRHN Foundation directly through our verification website or call us at 519-749-4205.
How do I identify a WRHN Foundation fundraiser?
For security and recognition purposes, all WRHN Foundation fundraisers wear a WRHN Foundation branded shirt or vest and identification badges. Their tablets allow us to track their locations and securely process donations electronically.
Where did you get my phone number?
Our fundraising partner uses calling files compiled from public and proprietary data sources, as well as previous campaign information where applicable. For privacy reasons, we may not always be able to confirm the original source of a specific phone number.
What times are calls made?
Calls are typically made Monday to Saturday. Weekday calling generally takes place between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., and weekend calling generally takes place between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Can I be removed from future calls?
Yes. If you would prefer not to receive future fundraising calls, we would be happy to add your number to our Do Not Call list.
Was the call I received legitimate?
WRHN Foundation is currently working with a fundraising partner to conduct telephone
fundraising calls, so the call may have been legitimate. To help us confirm, please verify the phone number that appeared on your call display with our approved call display list:
- 226-896-9275
- 226-806-5994
- 226-499-8560
- 226-444-8952
- 226-457-4221
- 382-457-4886
- 548-639-1310
- 548-761-3935
- 548-901-2155
- 548-918-0531
- 548-708-2214
If the number does not appear on the approved call display list please let us know what the number is and we will confirm with our fundraising partner. If you would like us to confirm a donation amount, review a pledge, or look into a call for quality or service reasons, we can ask our fundraising partner to review the call.
How do I remove my address from door-to-door canvassing?
We recommend displaying a No Soliciting or No Canvassing sign if you prefer not to receive door-to-door visits. Our fundraisers are trained to respect these signs and will not approach homes where one is clearly displayed.
How is my payment information taken at my door?
Our authorized canvasser will securely record your donation details on their tablet, then connect you by phone with our secure donation line at 1-866-513-2057, where a trained representative will verify and process your donation.
Is my information secure?
The door-to-door fundraiser will enter and submit your information into a secure tablet, where your information will be encrypted. A verification call and/or email will take place to verify the payment information for accuracy.
Are you asking for donations specifically for the new hospital?
The new acute hospital is a major project the Foundation is helping move forward, but we have decades of providing care in our existing hospitals, and we have needs now for support. Gifts through this campaign also support today’s care and priority needs across the network. The equipment you invest in today will continue with us.
Doesn’t the Government cover most of the hospital’s expenses?
Government funding is important, but it does not cover the full cost of exceptional care, new equipment, technology, or future growth. Donor support helps bridge that gap and strengthens care across WRHN.
Why is the new hospital such an important focus?
Waterloo Region is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada. With a population expected to reach 1 million by 2050 and outdated hospital buildings, we need new and expanded facilities to care for our growing population.
Building a new hospital is how we meet that need. It will also open the door to stronger research, education, innovation, and technology in local healthcare. In the meantime, we are renovating WRHN @ Midtown, expanding WRHN @ Chicopee, and maintaining WRHN @ Queen's Blvd. until its programs and services move to the new hospital.
How much of my money will actually go to Hospital programs and care?
According to WRHN Foundation’s 2024/25 Impact Report, 70.8 per cent of expenses went toward hospital equipment and programs funded.
Where does my donation go?
Your gift supports WRHN Foundation and helps fund priority needs across Waterloo Regional Health Network, including equipment, programs, diagnostics, patient care, and future healthcare planning.
Why should I support WRHN Foundation now instead of waiting for the new hospital to be built?
WRHN is in the early stages of planning the new hospital and there are urgent patient care needs that exist today. Your gift helps support today’s care while also helping prepare for tomorrow’s growing healthcare needs.
Will my donation stay local?
Yes. Gifts to WRHN Foundation support local healthcare for patients and families across Waterloo Region, Wellington County, and beyond.
When will I receive my tax receipt?
If you have made a monthly gift, you will receive an annual tax receipt in February for all gifts made in the previous calendar year. Tax receipts are issued with your current mailing address.
If you have made a one-time gift, you should receive your tax receipt within 2 weeks.
How can I change or cancel my monthly gift?
You can decrease, upgrade or cancel your monthly gift at any time by contacting us by phone at 519-749-4205 or by email at info@wrhnf.ca. Any cancellations or changes made to a monthly donation will receive an email or phone call confirmation.
Can I donate online instead?
If you prefer to make your gift online, you can sign up for a monthly donation.
How will I know if  I am officially a WRHN Foundation donor?
After signing up, you will receive a confirmation email. If you choose to donate by credit card, your first gift will be processed immediately. You will also receive a welcome package (via mail or email).
Please check your spam folder in case the email confirmation landed outside of your inbox.
You should receive your welcome package within one month of your sign up date. If you haven’t received any of the above please call us at 519-749-4205 or email info@wrhnf.ca.
How can I share a concern with my experience at WRHN?
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is committed to patient-centred care. We welcome your input. Your feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and where we can improve. Together, we make care and the patient experience better. The Patient Experience Team is available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by:
- Calling: 519-749-4730
- Emailing: patient.experience@wrhn.ca
- Sending mail to:
-
Waterloo Regional Health Network
WRHN @ 40 Green
Patient Experience
835 King St. W., Kitchener, ON N2G 1G3