The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation was founded in 1986 to assist with the building of a new hospital and long-term care facility for our community.  Following the build on the new hospital in 1991, and its official opening in 1992, the Foundation adapted their vision and mission to better focus on raising funds to enhance health care in our community through the provision of enhancements to essential care equipment. Our vision is to be recognized as a provincial leader in overcoming barriers to improve health outcomes through enhancing resources for all.

The Foundation has, to date, raised over $20 million to better healthcare at our hospital and in the community.  We have celebrated major accomplishments such as adding a CT-Scanner to our facility and raising the $1.2 million required for that purchase.  We have successfully completed a major campaign every year for the last 11 years ranging between $200,000 and $1.2 million.  We are proud of our community and the support that they have shown us throughout our journey to bring high-level health care to Wetaskiwin and surrounding communities.

The Wetaskiwin Health Foundation is made up of a volunteer board of 12 members as well as an Executive Director and 4 permanent staff members.  These staff monitor and take care of the day-to-day activities required to raise the funds needed.  The Foundation has shown great growth over the last 10 years and has increased its capacity accordingly to serve the community.

Wetaskiwin Health Foundation (Foundation) is a long-standing community asset, providing significant funds over the past 37 years to support the availability of and accessibility to essential health services and equipment to residents living in Wetaskiwin and surrounding communities. The Foundation serves the communities of Wetaskiwin, Pigeon Lake, Millet, Maskwacis, and many smaller rural communities in the area. The approximate population of this catchment area is 45,000 residents. The Foundation is governed by 13 community volunteers and currently employs five staff to conduct its business: Executive Director, Finance Officer, Fundraising Coordinator, Communications Specialist, and Administrative Assistant/Accounting Technician.

The Foundation is the largest rural Foundation in Canada (for the last three years) and has consistently grown in its donor base and donor dollars. In addition to supporting the provision of local services and equipment, it supports three other Fundraising Committees in Alberta. Like any organization it is subject to change on a variety of fronts, including the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with the ongoing support of the communities it serves, the Board and Staff continue to make a major impact in strengthening the availability and access to health resources locally. Now it’s time to focus on the future direction and the ways in which the Foundation can continue to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of local and area residents.