On January 19, members of the Community Engagement Committee (CEC) met with all Foundation Chairs or their representatives as a first step in establishing ongoing dialogue and a forum for shared learning between Foundations at the NL Health Services Board of Trustees. As explained by the Chair, a goal of the CEC is to provide our foundations with a strong basis for networking among themselves and to develop an open line of communication across all zones and with the Board of Trustees through this committee. Additionally, the Senior Director, Planning, presented the organization’s draft new strategic priorities. Foundations were then invited to share their priorities for the upcoming year and discuss their individual strengths and challenges.
What We Heard: Key Themes
The Foundations expressed many common themes, and the group reaffirmed its interest in a larger, in-person summit planned for late spring. The Director, Public Engagement and External Relations and the Board Liaison Officer will follow up with the volunteers identified for a planning working group.
Priorities for 2026:
- Importance of recruiting new, quality members to Boards with new ideas and new energy.
- Strategic, proactive funding aligned with system needs (care closer to home, access, quality, equity).
- Investment in priority equipment to reduce travel, wait times, and improve patient experience.
- Workforce support through modern equipment to aid recruitment and retention.
- Increased focus on innovation, pilot projects, and readiness for new models of care.
- Investing in improved social media for deeper community connections.
- Strengthened communication and public awareness of foundation roles and impacts.
- Greater collaboration among foundations and alignment with NLHS strategic priorities.
Strengths and Successes:
- Deep community trust and strong donor loyalty across zones.
- Highly committed volunteers, experienced board members and effective staff.
- Effective fundraising events tailored to local contexts.
- Ability to act quickly and flexibly with donor dollars compared to capital equipment processes.
- Strong relationships with healthcare staff and leadership.
- Proven impact on improving access, quality, and equity of care.
Opportunities and Challenges:
- Aging donor bases and difficulty engaging younger donors.
- Volunteer and board succession planning.
- Geographic barriers and rural access challenges.
- Competition for charitable dollars in a strained economy.
- Navigating approvals, technology restrictions, and system-level processes.
- Public misunderstanding of the distinction between NLHS and foundations.
Next Steps
The CEC will form a working group to organize the in-person summit. The working group will consist of:
- 2 Trustees who sit on the Community Engagement Committee
- 4 Foundation representatives
- Director of Public Engagement and External Relations
- Board Liaison Officer
While the date of the in-person summit has not yet been determined, ideal timing would be in late spring (May-June) in St. John’s.