This text is part of the special section Philanthropy
If the Fondation Santé Sud de Lanaudière may seem modest, it is, for the Pierre-Le Gardeur hospital and its components in the south of Lanaudière, essential to the realization of projects that improve the quality of patient care. Overview of a small foundation whose influence is great.
The Fondation Santé Sud de Lanaudière was created in 1989 from the merger of two other foundations, the Fondation Meilleur and the Fondation de l’Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur. The Fondation Santé Sud de Lanaudière serves two territories in the south of Lanaudière, namely the MRC Les Moulins and the MRC de L’Assomption.
“After the merger, we took the name Fondation du CSSS de Lanaudière, but when the CSSS disappeared, we chose a name with no connection to a government agency, explains Ronald Nicol, outgoing president of the board of directors of the Fondation. . But we continue to collaborate with the CISSS de Lanaudière, in particular with the Pierre-Le Gardeur hospital, to which we give approximately $1 million each year. »
Since 1990, the Foundation has collected $35,000,000 in donations, which not only ensures its sustainability, but also gives it the means to fund a number of health projects, including some major ones. In this regard, note the Desrosiers-Langlois pavilion, dedicated to children, youth and the family (4.5 million); the Adhémar-Dion house, dedicated to palliative care (3.5 million) and the expansion of the oncology care center at the Pierre-Le Gardeur hospital (2.2 million). Add to that a positron emission tomography device (PET, 2.5 million), which will soon be operational at Pierre-Le Gardeur.
“Obviously, big projects attract more attention because they are important, but we must not neglect the contribution of more modest projects, specifies Ronald Nicol, such as the painting of a mural in pediatrics or the development of a garden in a CHSLD. »
He gives the example of a personal anecdote, of which he grasps all the irony. “Kidney stones brought me to the Pierre-Le Gardeur hospital and the doctor prescribed me an ultrasound to establish the diagnosis. No need to move, he tells me, we now have a mobile device. Yes, I know, I answer him, I signed the check. I had no idea that one day, a donation from the Foundation would be useful to me as a patient! »
Fund raising
The ability of a philanthropic foundation to act depends essentially on the generosity of its donors. It is therefore understandable that all philanthropic foundations implement strategies to attract and retain donors.
“We organize four or five activities each year that allow us to reach and bring people together, which gives us the opportunity to solicit donations, says Ronald Nicol, the most important of which is our annual golf tournament. »
In addition, the Fondation Santé Sud de Lanaudière organized two major fundraising campaigns, the first taking place from 2006 to 2010 and the second from 2013 to 2017.
“These major campaigns, emphasizes Ronald Nicol, are an opportunity to knock on the doors of businesses. First of all those present on our territory, but also certain large companies of a national nature. It is a more time-consuming job, and the sums requested are sometimes significant, which explains the four-year duration of each campaign. But the effort is worth it since the major campaign of 2013-2017 raised $9 million in donations. »
Knowing how to seize opportunities
Are we planning a major new campaign soon? “There will certainly be another, believes Ronald Nicol, but not for some time. On the one hand, the companies we approach during our major campaigns are also companies whose generosity is also solicited by other charities. It is therefore necessary to let some time pass before going to knock on their door again. »
On the other hand, the philanthropic philosophy of large corporations has evolved considerably in recent years. “Increasingly, explains Ronald Nicol, large companies are choosing to concentrate their philanthropic generosity in a particular niche. For example, Bell Canada has chosen mental health with its Let’s Talk campaign, and the National Bank has chosen to focus its efforts on everything related to childhood. This situation forces us to rethink our strategy regarding major campaigns. »
Other tools will therefore be used. “We will continue to organize activities, in particular the golf tournament, advance Ronald Nicol. But the pandemic, which prohibited public gatherings, made us discover virtual events and it is also a path that we want to pursue. »
The coming years will thus be an opportunity to develop new tools. “We receive very few bequests, and our Executive Director has the mandate to develop this sector, just as she has the mandate to promote the organization of activities for the benefit of the Foundation by third parties. »