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Barbara Grantham, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Angela Chapman, Senior VP, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Lori Lothain, TRF Board Chair, Elaine Yong, TRF Board Member, with daughter Addison, and David McLean, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation Board Chair

A partnership between the Transplant Research Foundation (TRF) of BC and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation was announced at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Annual General Meeting in June.

TRF is the only health foundation in Canada focused solely on funding scientific grants for research in organ transplantation. VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is the fundraising arm for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and Vancouver Community Health Services.

“When we began discussions in late 2014, we realized that there was a natural fit with an organization whose goal is to find a cure for organ failure, and ultimately – through research – to eliminate the need for organ transplantation, “ says Angela Chapman, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

TRF’s volunteer board will be actively involved in managing the Foundation’s existing funds, while acting as an Advisory Board working with Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation staff to grow the base of support for organ transplant research.

“We have crafted a unique model of partnership that marries the strengths of both organizations around the value and importance of supporting transplantation research in BC,” explains TRF’s Board Chair Lori Lothain.

There are over 170,000 non-profit organizations in Canada, including 85,000 of which are registered charities. More than a third of these non-profits generate less than $30,000 in annual revenue.

“These organizations usually address specific needs in our communities. Their volunteers and donors are passionate about their mission, but they are not able to grow without additional investment. This partnership will allow the Transplant Research Foundation of BC to operate more cost-effectively as a not-for-profit and to leverage the fundraising strengths of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. At the same time, our Foundation gains an additional option for donors passionate about transplant research,” says Chapman.

“Partnerships like this one may be an opportunity for smaller non-profits with related mandates to develop and grow.”