Sunnybrook Foundation plays a vital role in advancing patient care, research, and medical innovation by connecting donors with the priorities of one of Canada’s leading hospitals. Through philanthropic support, the Foundation helps fund groundbreaking research, state-of-the-art equipment, new facilities, and programs that enhance care for patients today while shaping the future of health care. We spoke with Kelly Cole, President and CEO of Sunnybrook Foundation, to learn more about the organization’s mission, the impact of donor support, and the work being done to help transform health care.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
At Sunnybrook Foundation, we work with donors to support care, research, and education at Sunnybrook Hospital. That means patients get the care they need when it matters most, and we can help bring the next medical breakthroughs to life. By teaming up closely with our Hospital staff, we turn ideas into real results that make a difference every day.
What problem does it aim to solve?
While government funding covers core healthcare operations, it doesn’t extend to every opportunity or emerging need. That’s where philanthropy becomes essential. It allows Sunnybrook to accelerate innovation, equip teams with groundbreaking tools and technology, invest in our world- class team of clinicians, scientists and researchers and expand access to care in ways that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. With donor support, we can continue to invest in clinical trials, revitalize existing spaces and develop new infrastructure, all while ensuring patients and their families receive the highest standard of compassionate, specialized care.
Just last year, we opened two visionary facilities, the Garry Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre and the Peter Cipriano Centre for Seniors Health. These transformative projects were made possible through bold philanthropic leadership. Garry Hurvitz and Peter Cipriano exemplify what it means to give with vision; their generosity is not only advancing care but also inspiring others to step forward and shape what’s next in health care.
When did you start/join it?
I joined Sunnybrook Foundation in November 2020. Healthcare philanthropy offered an exciting new challenge to build on my many years in post-secondary education.
What made you want to get involved?
I’ve always been drawn to organizations where the mission truly matters and where there’s an opportunity to create real, lasting impact. One of my first experiences with Sunnybrook was walking the grounds with Dr. Andy Smith, CEO of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, something he’s well known for. That time together gave me a sense of the deep care and pride he brings to his work and to his bold vision for the hospital’s future.
From Andy to board members, Foundation leaders, volunteers and hospital staff, I was struck by the collective energy and commitment of everyone I met. There was this shared drive, a clarity of purpose and ambition, to deliver something truly exceptional. I was excited by the chance to contribute to that momentum and to help propel Sunnybrook forward, using the experience and tools I’ve built throughout my career to support its next chapter of growth and excellence.
What was the situation like when you started?
I joined the Sunnybrook Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a challenging but inspiring time to step into a new role, in the midst of a global crisis, and the stakes felt incredibly real. I knew there was a tremendous amount of work ahead, and I was eager to contribute in meaningful ways. From the very beginning, I learned quickly that Sunnybrook had a deeply dedicated and generous community of donors and volunteers. But it also became clear that if we were going to meet the needs of this extraordinary hospital and the community it serves, we had to consistently inspire and grow the level of support required. I felt fortunate to work alongside a team that met that challenge with tenacity, ambition and collaboration. And with the ongoing support of our donors, we’ve been able to fund critical research, provide essential equipment, attract top minds and respond quickly when it mattered most.
How has it changed since?
When I joined the Foundation, quite early on, we developed a growth plan that laid the foundation for significant transformation, not just in how we operate, but in the level of impact we can deliver. Since then, we’ve nearly doubled what we raise annually. We’ve now surpassed $100 million, and just as important as the number is the fact that we’ve invested in the team, the systems, and the practices to ensure that growth is sustainable over the long term.
Our team has grown from 65 to over 100 people, giving us the capacity to take on more complex, high-impact initiatives. One of the most meaningful shifts has been the deepened collaboration between the Hospital and the Foundation. Andy Smith and I are both clear: we are one Team Sunnybrook. That alignment has unlocked new momentum, allowing us to think bigger, act faster, and work more seamlessly with our boards, volunteers, and hospital leaders. Together, we’re advancing research, expanding facilities, supporting innovation, and investing in the people who make excellent care possible. Sunnybrook Foundation now has the roadmap and the team in place to drive transformation across the hospital’s future.
What more needs to be done?
Ontario’s health care system is at a critical point, but it’s also full of opportunity. At Sunnybrook, we’re focused on accelerating the kind of innovation that leads to real change, like advancing clinical trials, supporting new models of care, and making it possible for medical breakthroughs to move from the lab to the bedside faster and more effectively.
Philanthropy is essential to making this happen. It fuels the research, innovation, and education that drive better care, not just in the future, but right now. My role is to work alongside donors, to really listen and understand what matters to them, and to connect their passions to Sunnybrook’s most urgent priorities. We’re committed to creating an experience that’s consistent, meaningful, and relationship-based, one that brings donors into the heart of the work and keeps them engaged over time.
With continued support from our community, we can not only push the boundaries of innovation but also invest in the people, equipment, and spaces that make leading-edge care possible. Much of the hospital’s infrastructure dates back to the 1940s, and alongside investing in technology and care teams, we know these spaces must evolve to meet the complex needs of today’s patients and tomorrow’s challenges. Philanthropy is what allows us to act with vision and ambition and to build a future where every patient receives the very best care.
How can our readers help?
We’re so grateful for every gift because every donation makes a real difference. You can give in lots of ways: make a donation online or by mail, join a fundraising event or campaign, organize a community fundraiser, or make a significant gift that helps shape the future of health care and push the next generation of innovation forward.
Do you have any events coming up?
This past year we were very proud to be part of 128 fantastic events and initiatives that supported Sunnybrook’s programs and brought our community together. Looking ahead, we’re excited for our signature event, the RBC Race for the Kids, this fall, which raises funds for Sunnybrook’s youth mental health programs.
A few other events to highlight are our inaugural Sunnybrook Hockey Classic, returning next March to support life-saving trauma care, and the annual Women’s Health Golf Classic, returning next May to support Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Program. For a full list of events here.
Where can we follow you?
You can visit our website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can also follow me on LinkedIn for updates on the Foundation.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
A charity that’s especially close to my heart right now is Woodstock General Hospital. It’s the local hospital that provided exceptional care to my mom in her final year, including supporting her transition to a long-term care facility. Their compassion and professionalism meant so much to our family.
