June 11, 2009/- The University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the fundraising arm of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care, is reporting a very successful year in 2008-2009.

The Foundation confirmed $26-million in outright gifts and pledges from donors – including $16-million from the commitment by the City of Kingston to the redevelopment of the university hospitals of Kingston.

“By any measure, this has been a successful year. At March 31, 2008, we had $32.4-million committed to our campaign. By March 2009, this total had jumped to $58.9-million,” said Peter Merkley, Chair of the Foundation. “This was made possible by the more than 12,000 people in Kingston and across Southeastern Ontario who made over 20,000 donations this year. We want to thank all of the people who have supported the campaign and our hospitals for their generosity.”

A highlight of the year was a $2-million gift made by philanthropist Larry Gibson to the Cancer Centre expansion. The Rose of Hope Cataraqui Golf Tournament Committee also made news by fulfilling its $400,000 four year pledge to the campaign in just three years. Other lead gifts included commitments from TD-Bank Financial Group, the Archdiocese of Kingston, the Town of Gananoque, the William J. Henderson Foundation and a number of local media organizations.

The $26 million “raised” total for 2008-2009 was calculated by adding outright cash gifts and new pledges. The funds were raised in a variety of ways, including gifts and pledges in person, by mail, online and over the phone. Third parties supported the Foundation by holding events, raffles, lotteries and more. Money was also raised through Foundation activities such as Hotel Dieu Hospital’s Invitational Golf Tournament, Radiothon, KGH’s Black Tie Evening and Providence Care’s Founders' Dinner.

The campaign announced that it had reached $50-Million at the public launch in June, 2008. The total rose to $55-million at the end of September and $57-million in early November. In early May, 2009, the Foundation announced it was at $59-million.

“Looking ahead, our challenge for this year will be to ensure that our entire community has the opportunity to give to our campaign,” said Merkley. “Our hospitals need the help of the community now more than ever. We are asking everyone for support.”

The Foundation uses a sharing formula to disburse gifts to the hospitals. Though final numbers are subject to audit, the shared cash that was received by UHKF and available to be transferred to the hospitals is expected to be $6.0-million to KGH, $2.4-million to Providence Care and $1.3-million to Hotel Dieu Hospital. This does not include certain gifts which go directly to the hospitals.