Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation

The Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation (DGH Foundation) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovation and exceptional patient care at the Dartmouth General Hospital in Nova Scotia. Established to connect donors and community members with the hospital, the Foundation channels philanthropic efforts into advancing healthcare services and infrastructure for the communities served by the hospital.

Mission and Impact

The primary mission of the DGH Foundation is to fund innovation and improve patient care quality at Dartmouth General Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $50 million in new medical equipment, facilities, and healthcare programs. Key priorities include acquiring Dartmouth General’s first MRI unit, enhancing the emergency department, advancing orthopedic care through the Fred Smithers Orthopedic Centre of Care, promoting health equity, and making infrastructure upgrades to improve the overall patient experience.

Dartmouth General Hospital serves more than 350,000 patient visits annually, underscoring the critical role the Foundation plays in supporting healthcare delivery to a large and diverse population[1].

Fundraising and Legacy Giving

The DGH Foundation organizes various fundraising initiatives, including annual events such as the Lobster Dinner and Auction, a long-standing community tradition that has raised over $3 million to benefit the hospital. The Foundation also encourages legacy giving, enabling donors to make lasting gifts through securities, real estate, RRSPs, RRIFs, and charitable remainder trusts. These planned gifts ensure sustained support for the hospital’s staff and ongoing culture of innovation for generations to come[2][4].

Healthcare Equity Initiatives

A significant focus of the Foundation is promoting healthcare equity. Its Healthcare Equity Fund supports bursary programs for African Nova Scotian and Indigenous learners pursuing healthcare careers. This fund also bolsters partnerships such as the Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) program at Dalhousie University and the PREP Academy. The Foundation aims to raise over $1 million to maintain and expand these initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion in local healthcare[3].

Community Support Programs

The Foundation's Patient Essentials Fund addresses socioeconomic barriers faced by patients and families, particularly those vulnerable or marginalized. Supported by a $250,000 donation from Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE program, the fund helps meet immediate needs such as food, medications, clothing, shelter, and transportation, which can be critical for patients managing chronic or acute health conditions. This initiative enhances the hospital’s social work capacity to respond swiftly to patient needs, improving health outcomes and enabling safer discharges from the hospital[5].

The Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation continues to play a vital role in enhancing healthcare delivery in Nova Scotia through strategic fundraising, community engagement, and targeted support programs that improve patient care and access to medical services.