Sault Area Hospital

What Sault Area Hospital does

Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) is a registered Canadian charitable organization headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, that serves as the exclusive fundraising entity for Sault Area Hospital (SAH). Its mandate is narrowly defined: raising funds to purchase medical equipment for SAH. The foundation operates as the sole capital-equipment funding source for the hospital, with an annual fundraising target exceeding $5 million and a current active campaign of $7.7 million to acquire over 100 pieces of medical equipment.

The foundation's core "products" are diversified giving vehicles — major gifts, planned giving, monthly giving, gifts of shares, employee giving, memorial/tribute donations, and personal fundraising pages (the "Inspire Others" program). Revenue is supplemented by a portfolio of lottery programs anchored by the long-running 5 Car Draw (operating for 36 years as of 2026), 50/50 draws, the Split the Pot lottery, and trip-draw lotteries, each with dedicated digital channels (soolottery.ca, 5car.ca, splitthepot.ca). Community events — including author talks, film-and-dine evenings, and seasonal campaigns such as the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie partnership with Smilezone Foundation — serve both fundraising and stewardship functions.

The business model is a non-profit donation-and-lottery model. Revenue mechanics rely on a mix of major-donor contributions (e.g., an $800,000 Ruscio family gift), grassroots employee giving (approximately 350 SAH employees contributing ~$70,000 annually), community events, and lottery ticket sales. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board, with operating costs funded through a small percentage of lottery revenue and administrative allocations. A new Strategic Plan covering 2024–2027 was launched in April 2024, signaling an intent to formalize growth, donor stewardship, and program expansion.

Name

Sault Area Hospital

Legal name

Sault Area Hospital Foundation

Website

https://sahfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sault Area Hospital Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that exclusively raises funds for medical equipment purchases at Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It serves the Algoma District community through major gifts, lottery programs, community events, and donor initiatives targeting $5M+ annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Fundraising / Hospital Foundation

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Healthcare fundraising
• Medical equipment funding
• Community philanthropy
• Charitable foundation
• Hospital donations

Headquarters

HQ city

Sault Sainte Marie

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Gifts: Individual donations from community members including one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, tribute gifts (in memory, in honour), and major gifts from significant donors like the $800,000 Ruscio family donation.
2. Lottery Programs: Multiple lottery programs including monthly SAHF 50/50 draws, annual 5 Car Draw (awarding vehicles or cash), Split the Pot Lottery, and trip draw lotteries (12 Days of Holidays, Around the World). These generate significant revenue through ticket sales.
3. Medical Equipment Funding: The foundation's core purpose is to fund critical medical equipment for Sault Area Hospital. Current campaign aims to raise $7.7 million for over 100 pieces of equipment across all hospital departments.
4. Employee Giving Program: SAH employees can contribute through payroll deductions (Biweekly Foundation Friends/BFF program) with employer matching during campaigns. Over 350 employees participate, donating nearly $70,000 annually.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Donations: Bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, endowments, gifts of residual interest, life insurance, RRSP/RRIF beneficiaries, and securities donations provide long-term sustainable funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sault Area Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises and grants funds for medical equipment at Sault Area Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Its core activity is soliciting donations from individuals, hospital employees, and local businesses — through one-time gifts, monthly giving, tribute donations, planned/legacy giving, employee payroll giving, corporate sponsorships, and lottery programs (SAHF 50/50, 5 Car Draw, Split the Pot, trip draws) — and directing those proceeds toward the purchase of critical medical equipment across all hospital departments.

Product overview

Sault Area Hospital Foundation (SAHF) is a healthcare charitable foundation that raises funds to support medical equipment purchases for Sault Area Hospital. The organization's primary offerings are fundraising programs including one-time and monthly donations, legacy/planned giving, event-based lotteries (50/50 draws, 5 Car Draw, Split the Pot, trip raffles), caregiver recognition programs, and commemorative giving options (in-memory and in-honour donations). SAHF also organizes community events like Meals 'N Reels dining experiences and educational events featuring healthcare speakers. The foundation does not offer technology products or services but serves as a philanthropic intermediary connecting donors with hospital equipment needs across departments including Emergency, Surgical, Medical Imaging, Cancer Care, Renal, and Rehabilitation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program for individual community members to support medical equipment at Sault Area Hospital; gifts processed automatically each month and are tax-deductible.
• SAHF 50/50 Lottery Monthly 50/50 lottery where ticket purchasers compete for a jackpot split equally between the winner and the foundation; tickets sold online and at convenience stores across Sault Ste. Marie.
• 5 Car Draw Annual multi-vehicle charity lottery that awards five winners their choice of a new vehicle or cash alternative, plus early-bird prizes; tickets sold online via 5car.ca and through sponsor locations.
• Split the Pot Lottery Multi-hospital online lottery where SAHF participates as a beneficiary hospital; tickets sold through splitthepot.ca and partner channels.
• Meals 'N Reels Dining Experience Ticketed dining and film experience (four-course meal plus film screening) prepared by Sault College culinary students, priced at $125 per person, limited to 82 guests.
• An Evening with Dr. Brian Goldman Ticketed speaker event featuring Dr. Brian Goldman, held at The Loft, 75 Huron Street, with travel and venue sponsorships supporting the foundation.
• Legacy / Planned Giving Program Planned giving / legacy donation program allowing donors to support the foundation through bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, endowments, gifts of residual interest, life insurance, RRSP/RRIF beneficiary designations, and gifts of securities.
• Employee Giving Campaign (BFF Program) Payroll-deduction giving program for Sault Area Hospital employees (Biweekly Foundation Friends / BFF), with optional employer matching during campaigns; tax-deductible donations noted on T4 slips.
• In Memory / In Honour Tribute Donations Tribute donation program allowing donors to make gifts in memory of or in honour of a loved one, supporting hospital equipment funding.
• Recognize a Caregiver (Grateful Patient) Program Grateful-patient program enabling individuals to make a donation recognizing a specific Sault Area Hospital caregiver who impacted their care.
• Inspire Others Personal Fundraising Personal/community-led fundraising program allowing individuals to create their own pages or run their own events to raise money for the foundation.
• Gifts of Shares (Securities) Securities-based donation program allowing donors to gift publicly listed shares to the foundation, supported by the finance team with tax receipts.
• Trip Draws (Around the World & 12 Days of Holidays) Lottery trip-draw prizes (Around the World Trip Draw and 12 Days of Holidays) offering travel packages arranged by official travel partner Maritime Travel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provides equipment for 27,000+ Emergency Department patients annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Heritage Home Hardware Building CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw, contributing to the prize package for this major annual lottery event.
• Rome's Your Independent GrocersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing prizes or promotional support for this fundraising event.
• Brady & Mary's NoFrillsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw event.
• DNM Group LTD.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw lottery event.
• Canadian TireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw, contributing prizes or promotional support.
• Reyco Automotive Supply Ltd/Napa Auto PartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive parts sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw.
• Northern Insurance BrokersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw lottery event.
• McDougall EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company sponsor providing support for the 2026 5 Car Draw.
• Pino's Get FreshminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrocery sponsor for the 2026 5 Car Draw event.
• World Cars HyundaiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle dealership partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing Hyundai Venue as a prize option.
• Northside MazdaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle dealership partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing Mazda 3 Sport as a prize option.
• Northside ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle dealership partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing Toyota RAV4 as a prize option.
• Great Lakes HondaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle dealership partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing Honda CRV as a prize option.
• Prouse ChevroletminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle dealership partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw, providing Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD as a prize option.
• ComeaultminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor for 'An Evening with Dr. Brian Goldman' event taking place at The Loft, 75 Huron Street.
• Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAir travel sponsor for An Evening with Dr. Brian Goldman event.
• Prouse FordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel sponsor for An Evening with Dr. Brian Goldman event.
• Sault College Culinary Skills – Chef Training ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for Meals 'N Reels event. Culinary students prepare the four-course meal inspired by the featured film, providing hands-on training while supporting the foundation.
• Odeno Pub (Sault College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Meals 'N Reels dining experience at Sault College (F Wing), 494 Northern Ave E.
• Compass One HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Meals 'N Reels event, supporting this inaugural culinary experience.
• Sault College Student UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in presenting the Meals 'N Reels event with SAHF.
• Maritime TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel partner for Around the World and 12 Days of Holidays trip draws, providing all travel arrangements including round-trip airfare, hotel, and transfers.
• Tim HortonscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Tim Hortons owners partner with SAHF for Smile Cookie campaign. 100% of cookie proceeds donated to Smilezone Foundation for pediatric care spaces.
• Smilezone FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partner for Smile Cookie campaign. Mission is to create fun and engaging 'Smilezones' in hospitals and healthcare facilities for kids and families.
• Queen Street CruiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw event.
• SAH VolunteersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer partner for the 2026 5 Car Draw event.
• Northern Ontario Latin-Hispanic Association (NOLHA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCultural partner for Meals 'N Reels, providing Cuban and Latin rhythms entertainment and Latin dance instruction during the welcome reception.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ottawa Hospital Foundation: Foundation supporting The Ottawa Hospital — comparable as a major Canadian hospital foundation running equipment campaigns, lotteries, and major-gift programs at a larger scale.
• SickKids Foundation: Foundation supporting The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto — comparable as a major Canadian hospital foundation with signature lottery programs and a broad donor base funding pediatric medical equipment.
• Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation: Foundation supporting Hamilton Health Sciences, a multi-site Ontario hospital network — comparable as a Canadian hospital foundation running capital campaigns and lottery programs for hospital equipment.
• London Health Sciences Foundation: Foundation supporting London Health Sciences Centre in Southwestern Ontario — comparable as a Canadian hospital foundation raising funds for medical equipment, research, and patient care programs.
• North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation: Hospital foundation serving North Bay Regional Health Centre in Northern Ontario — comparable in scale and mission as a regional hospital foundation funding medical equipment for a mid-sized Northern Ontario catchment.
• Health Sciences North Foundation: Regional hospital foundation serving Health Sciences North in Greater Sudbury, Ontario — directly comparable as a Northern Ontario hospital foundation raising funds for medical equipment in a similar regional catchment area.
• Sunnybrook Foundation: Foundation supporting Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto — comparable as a Canadian hospital foundation with lottery programs (e.g., Dream Lottery) and major-gift campaigns for medical equipment.
• Vancouver General Hospital & UBC Hospital Foundation: Foundation supporting Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital — comparable as a Canadian hospital foundation running signature lotteries and major-gift campaigns for medical equipment and capital projects.
• Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation: Foundation supporting Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre in Northwestern Ontario — a comparable regional hospital foundation raising funds for medical equipment in a similar rural/small-city Ontario catchment.

Others

• Smilezone Foundation: Canadian healthcare charity partner of SAHF for the Smile Cookie campaign — comparable as a healthcare-focused grantmaking organization that funds pediatric care spaces in hospitals, sharing donor/partner networks with hospital foundations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheSAHFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/SaultAreaHospitalFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sahfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/saultareahospitalfoundation
• Xx.com/becauseiCcare

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sault Area Hospital