Annual Report 2021

Anonymous donor gifted Yarmouth Hospital Foundation with $22 million

“It really is a game changer in terms of the opportunities that will now exist for the foundation.”

Dr. Brendan Carr. former CEO, Nova Scotia Health.

On March 10, 2021, amidst much speculation and excitement, Yarmouth Hospital Foundation announced to the people of the Tri-Counties that a mystery donor had gifted the foundation with the largest donation ever received in YHF’s 50-year history: an astonishing $22 million.

“The donor wished to improve the provision of health care in the area served by Yarmouth Regional Hospital and not to receive any public recognition. We honoured those wishes by creating the Healthcare Enhancement Endowment,” Dr. Harold Cook, then-chair of Yarmouth Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors and former Dean of Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, said. He added that he was unaware of any charitable gift of this size to any health care foundation in Atlantic Canada. “It is extraordinary and certainly the largest Yarmouth Hospital Foundation has ever received.”

The $22 million entrusted to the foundation has been carefully invested through our established processes under the guidance of the board and the Investment Committee. Up to 5% of the initial gift, amounting to at least $1 million annually, will be allocated from the income generated. Of that, the foundation plans to direct approximately 85% to equipment, special projects and program enhancements at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Additionally, a YHF special committee will direct up to 15% to programs and services outside the hospital whose goal is to enhance the health and wellness of the region.

“We have a very generous community who have enabled us to support Yarmouth Regional Hospital in areas of greatest need, purchase capital equipment and help fund special projects,” said Paulette Sweeney-Goodwin, CFRE, former managing director. “This exceptional gift will enable us to have a lasting impact on health care in this region which is what the donor wanted. These past years with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all seen how our health is our greatest asset.”