Ottawa Hospital Foundation

About Ottawa Hospital Foundation:

Founded in 1999, Ottawa Hospital Foundation (OHF) raises money for Ottawa Riverside, Civic, and General hospitals and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. By funding research, building projects, and equipment purchases, the foundation works to improve medical treatment, shorten wait times, reduce pain, and increase the speed of patient healing. Ottawa Hospital serves the people of Ottawa, eastern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut with 1.2 million patient visits in F2018. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute employed 2,201 researchers to work in 62 labs and had 611 active clinical trials during F2018. 

In F2018, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute received $12.1 million in grants from OHF, representing 69% of foundation grants. The institute reported having 10,869 patients enrolled in clinical trials, of whom 1,771 were involved in cancer clinical trials. To enable more people to participate in clinical trials, patients can give oral rather than written consent. In addition to cancer, areas of research include treatment of degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and caring for babies, especially those born early.

The three campuses of Ottawa Hospital received $5.4 million or 31% of OHF grants in F2018. Funds were used to purchase equipment including a specialized microscope for examining cancer cells and machinery used in identifying the genetic components of tumours. In F2018, the hospital opened new health centres concentrating on neuromuscular diseases and breast health. The new breast health centre is expected to serve thousands of women from the Ottawa area, accommodating the 40% increase in patients and 175% increase in the rate of breast imaging and treatment since 1997. A new MRI will be purchased for the breast health centre using funds raised in F2018. Ottawa Hospital has planned for a new building to replace the Civic campus. OHF reports that the Ontario Government has committed $1.8 billion for the building’s development and construction, while finalizing the hospital plans will take about four years.

In F2018, Ottawa Hospital Foundation distributed less than 1% of grants to University of Ottawa Heart Institute, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

Results and Impact:

Ottawa Hospital Foundation supports research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute which published 1,585 scientific journals in 2016. The institute reports that its research has had a $1.5 billion effect on the economy of Ottawa since 2001.

Stem cell transplant treatment developed at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute has reportedly stopped the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 56 Canadian patients. Research conducted in Ottawa has also been used to identify patients with a low risk of developing a second blood clot, meaning that every year, 10,000 Canadian women can stop taking blood-thinning medication.

Started in 1993, the CANVent program is a non-invasive alternative to a tracheostomy. Since patients are then able to stay home and avoid the risk of surgical complications, the CANVent founding doctor estimates that $200,000 in healthcare system costs is saved every year per patient.

Financial Review:

Ottawa Hospital Foundation is one of Canada’s largest charities in terms of donations, a Major 100 charity, with donations of $28.0m in F2018. Administrative costs are 6% of donations and fundraising costs are 18% of donations. For every dollar donated, 77 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

OHF has $101.6m in funding reserves of which $91.1 is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could grant at the F2018 level for less than a year using reserves. 

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Ottawa Hospital Foundation for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.  

Updated May 9, 2019 by Madison Kerr.