Celebrating 15 Years: Building a Foundation of Trust
When Alberta restructured its health care system in 1994, a new
era in health philanthropy began. Mr. J.R. Bud McCaig, an
entrepreneur and philanthropist, along with members of the Calgary
Regional Health Authority Board and existing hospital foundations,
saw a unique opportunity with existing health foundations to create
something bigger, better and unique- the Calgary Health
Trust.
Calgary Health Trust formed in 1996 by merging the following
together:
- Carewest Foundation
- Calgary General Hospital Foundation
- Foothills Hospital Foundation
- The Grace Foundation
- Mountview Community Foundation
- Rockyview General Hospital Foundation
By combining these foundations into one organization, Calgary
Health Trust became a pioneer in health care fundraising as a
centralized fund raising organization-the first in North America at
the time-which offered specialized services such as planned giving,
major gifts and research to be more effective and efficient in
raising funds. In the first year alone, Calgary Health Trust raised
$6.9 million in cash donations-proof that the relationships built
by the former foundations, combined with the innovative approach of
the Trust, was a winning combination.
This year, Calgary Health Trust celebrated its 15th year of
enhancing health care in Calgary, raising more than $315 million
since its establishment in 1996. With every donation made over
the past 15 years, Calgary Health Trust has shown how health care
can be transformed when the Trust works together with the community
to connect donor passions with health care needs.
Read more about Calgary Health Trust's milestones.