Ottawa Hospital Foundation hits 70 per cent of $500 million fundraising goal for new hospital

A rendering of the proposed design for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, which is scheduled to open in 2029. This image shows the main entrance and research tower. (Image courtesy of The Ottawa Hospital)

The Ottawa Hospital Foundation is now 70 per cent of the way to its $500 million fundraising goal to help build a new Civic Campus on Carling Avenue.

Nearly three years after launching the historic Campaign to Create Tomorrow, Ottawa Hospital Foundation president and CEO Tim Kluke announced on CTV Morning Live the foundation has raised more than $356 million towards its goal.

“Feel fantastic,” Kluke said. “We feel great. Seventy per cent is a wonderful milestone, $356 million raised in our community – it’s wonderful. I think our donors have recognized that this is such a transformational project for our city and we’re witnessing incredible generosity from all corners of our community.”

The Ottawa Hospital Foundation lunched the $500 million Campaign to Create Tomorrow in April 2022, saying the campaign and new hospital will “transform healthcare not only in our community and across the country, but around the world.”

The fundraising campaign will help build the new Ottawa Hospital campus on Carling Avenue, “push healthcare research and discoveries,” and “further strengthen critical services, from complex lifesaving surgeries to expertise in neurosurgery to remaining one of the largest and best-equipped regional cancer treatment centres.”

Kluke says the foundation has been having “a conversation” with donors and the community to drive home the importance of the campaign and the future of the Ottawa Hospital.

“This is the largest healthcare infrastructure project in our history and the campaign is the largest fundraising campaign in our city’s history,” Kluke said. “But I think each and every one of our donors recognize that the entire community is touched by the Ottawa Hospital. Whether it’s trauma care, surgery, cancer care – this campaign, this hospital touches everybody in the region.”

The new Ottawa Hospital campus is expected to open in 2029 and will cost $2.8 billion.

“This is going to be the most technologically advanced hospital in the nation,” Kluke said, noting there will be 641 private patient rooms and an expansion of operating rooms.

To donate to the Campaign to Create Tomorrow, click here.

Kluke says the Ottawa Hospital Foundation has been “blessed” with the support from the community, but there is still a long way to go to the $500 million goal.

“We’ve come so far, but we have a lot to go,” Kluke said. “We need support from the entire community.”