IWK Health Centre Foundation is a 1-star charity that is financially transparent. The charity has a D+ results reporting score, which is below average, and its overhead spending is just within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity’s reserve funds could cover its program costs for over 16 years, which is significantly above Ci’s reasonable limit. Read Ci's report before donating.

Founded in 1997, IWK Health Centre Foundation (IWK Foundation) fundraises and provides grants to IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. IWK Foundation runs five main programs: Mental Health and Addiction, Emergency Department Redevelopment, Priority Equipment, Research and Education, and Patient Programs. In the fiscal year ended March 2025 (F2025), the charity spent $8.4m in cash on its programs.

Mental Health and Addiction represented 32% of IWK Foundation’s program spending in F2025. The program provides mental health and addiction services for children and families, including Anchor Youth Spaces, which provide free, walk-in health and wellness support for youths across Nova Scotia. 

Emergency Department Redevelopment represented 26% of program spending in F2025. The program supports the construction of a new emergency department at IWK Health to improve patient care and respond to increasing demand. In F2025, the charity reported that the IWK Emergency Department received 47,438 visits from children and youths.

Priority Equipment represented 17% of program spending in F2025. In F2025, IWK Foundation purchased equipment including the IWK Health Centre’s first Optical Biometry Machine as well as a new Transabdominal Ultrasound.

Research and Education represented 17% of program spending in F2025. The program supports research, training, and education initiatives focused on improving health care for children and youths.

Patient Programs represented 6% of program spending in F2025. The program aims to improve the hospital experience for children and families through services such as a therapeutic clown and music therapy.

IWK Foundation’s audited financial statements also report spending on Advocacy and Other. These categories represented less than 1% and 1% of total program spending, respectively.

IWK Health Centre Foundation received $22.1m in donations and special events revenue in F2025, representing 68% of total revenue. It also received $9.8m in investment income (30% of total revenue).

In F2025, IWK Foundation spent $8.9m in cash and donated goods on its programs. Cash program spending was  26% of total revenue (excluding donated goods). The charity ran a surplus of $15.6m, which is 48% of total revenue.

Fundraising costs were $4.2m, which is 19% of donations, and administrative costs were $3.6m, which is 16% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending was 35%, meaning that for every dollar received, 65 cents are available to go to the cause.

At the end of F2025, IKF Foundation had $136.1m in reserve funds (cash and investments). These reserves could cover its annual program costs for 16 years and two months, which is significantly above Ci’s reasonable limit of three years. 

This charity report is an update that was sent to IWK Health Centre Foundation for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated July 17th, 2026 by Ava Anderson.