IT BEGINS WITH YOU!
Every dollar you raise brings comfort, healing, and hope to patients and families who need it most. By launching your own fundraiser, you have a chance to rally your friends, loved ones, and wider community to join you in supporting a cause that’s close to your heart.
And more than anything, you’re ensuring patients young and old—even people in your own neighbourhood—have access to advanced equipment, innovative research, and the absolute best care.
Priority Areas
WHY YOUR FUNDRAISING MATTERS
When you host a fundraiser—big or small—the donations help deliver life-saving care, fund innovative research, and provide essential equipment for patients. Every dollar you raise helps expand treatment options, enhance hospital spaces, and improve care for families when they need it most.
Here’s how your compassion will bring meaningful change:
Equipment
- Equips care teams with the latest medical technology for faster diagnoses and more effective treatments.
- Puts vital signs monitors, portable ultrasounds, and rehabilitative devices into the hands of skilled care teams.
Research
- Fuels groundbreaking research leading to new treatments, improved procedures, and life-changing innovations.
- Empowers researchers across HHS hospitals to pursue transformative ideas that advance patient care.
Infrastructure
- Transforms hospital spaces into modern, efficient, and healing environments for patients and families.
- Supports renovations that enhance comfort, accessibility, and the flow of care in specialized treatment areas.
Staff Development
- Keeps health care teams at the forefront of medical knowledge and clinical practice.
- Provides training, certifications, and education that strengthen patient care across HHS hospitals.
Need inspiration?
FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing. But feel free to run with your own idea to rally your community for the cause!
GOLF TOURNAMENTS
Hit the links to make an impact!
Tap into your social network and business contacts for a day of fun and the chance to change the lives of hundreds of patients.
FITNESS CHALLENGE
Organize a run/walk to get your circle moving!
Choose a route, pick a day, promote the event, and rally your community to participate and raise funds with pledges.
GALA EVENTS
Plan a special night on behalf of our patients!
Whether it’s a swanky formal affair, or a chill evening with a local artist, your guests will be supporting our patients to fight their battles.
DO IT YOUR WAY
Fundraise using your own idea!
Whether it’s a bake sale, car wash, trivia night, or something else, you’ll have fun rallying your community for an important cause.
Four simple steps
START A FUNDRAISER
Getting started is easy—and we’re here to support you! Follow these four simple steps to help fuel groundbreaking research and bring life-changing care:
CREATE
Every journey begins with an idea that has meaning and purpose.
Choose a fundraising event that interests you and a fundraising goal that excites you. Then create your page! There’s no perfect formula—just the approach that works best for you.
LAUNCH
Your own story and motivation are the heart of your fundraiser.
Share why this cause matters to you and how reaching your goal will impact so many lives. Then encourage people to rally behind you by making the first generous donation.
RALLY
You have the power to make this campaign unstoppable.
Invite everyone in your community to get involved. Share your page on social media, send a few emails, and talk about your goal face to face. Each connection helps your impact grow.
CELEBRATE
Every gift deserves celebration and gratitude.
Share updates, post milestones, and show the impact. Every shout-out, photo, and thank-you video celebrates success, builds momentum, and inspires more giving!
Real fundraisers, real impact
MAKING IT PERSONAL IS POWERFUL
Your story and the reason you love supporting this cause are the perfect starting points for a successful fundraiser. Here are three examples of successful fundraisers that made a big impact, each one with a personal story or connection for creating the event.
Blue Monday Fundraiser
Hosted by the Mazza Team Realtors “Blue Monday,” is an event that brings together the Stoney Creek community for an unforgettable evening of dancing, prizes, and community spirit. Together, they successfully raise awareness and funds for the Child and Youth Mental Health Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
5 KM for Charley Mae
This community run and walk honours Charley Mae’s spirit, celebrates the joy she brought, and raises funds for the exceptional care provided by the Quality of Life and Advanced Care Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital. The event brings the community together to remember Charley in a way that gives back to current and future patients.
Take Out Cancer Bonspiel
For the past six years, members of the Burlington Golf and Country Club have hosted this annual curling fundraiser. Many participants share a personal connection to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, coming together for a day of curling, a silent auction, dinner, and live music in support of exceptional patient care.
Questions
FAQS
How do I start a fundraiser?
It’s easy. Simply click the “Start a Fundraiser” button above and follow the steps provided. This will include completing the contact form and sharing some additional details with us. Someone from the foundation will follow up with you to assist in setting up your fundraiser.
Can I use the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, MacKids, or other hospital logos for my event?
We have versions of logos that are specifically available for fundraising event organizers. To receive access to these logos, please contact us. In addition to the approved logos, you will also receive our brand guidelines for using them.
What do I do with cash or cheque donations?
Donations can be submitted online, in person, via e-transfer, or by cheque. Please work directly with your HHSF representative, or email us if you don’t already have one. Make cheques payable to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation and mail to Box 739, LCD 1, Hamilton, ON L8N 3M8. Be sure to include the specific information regarding your event. Please do not mail cash.
Once we receive all the necessary information, tax receipts can be issued to the donors. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $10 and above and in accordance with CRA guidelines. Please note that advantage receipting requires approval from Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.
Do you have any promotional materials you can send me?
Yes! We have promotional materials, including social media tools, to help you promote your event and thank the participants. Click on our fundraising resources to download our social toolkit.
Who can I talk to if I have questions about my fundraiser?
If you need assistance with your fundraising event, please contact us at 905-521-2100 ext. 43370 or email grateful@hhsc.ca.
Can I designate my fundraising to a specific hospital or program?
Yes, you can. If you designate to a specific hospital, funds raised will go towards its highest priority needs for equipment, research, and/or patient care improvement. If you are interested in donating to a specific program or clinic, please connect with us at grateful@hhsc.ca.