Ted Garrard joined SickKids Foundation in July 2009 as President and CEO. He has an outstanding reputation as one of the top fundraising executives in Canada. He has a long track record of success and deep roots in accountability and transparency. Here’s his letter to the community:  

Dear Friends,

I joined SickKids Foundation because I believe passionately in the work it does to improve the health of children. I also wanted the opportunity to join an organization with a reputation for outstanding Board and staff leadership. In my first 10 weeks as CEO I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, staff and donors. They believe, as I do, that SickKids makes a difference here in Toronto and around the world.

I also joined the Foundation because it has an excellent track record of raising funds and managing its endowments. I look forward to building on that success. I want the Foundation to be recognized as one of the top fundraising organizations in the world, both in terms of how much we raise and how we undertake our work.

Having worked in the charitable sector for more than 25 years, I appreciate the importance of transparency and accountability to our donors and other partners. I want SickKids to be a model that donors and other charities point to. I want our fundraising programs to be best-in-class and known for their innovativeness. I want us to find ways to better engage donors in the work of SickKids and to demonstrate the impact and outcome of their philanthropy.

This is an exciting time to be at the Foundation. Later this fall we will start a strategic planning process to ensure the work of the Foundation is aligned with the future priorities of the Hospital. We will be preparing for a new fundraising campaign to be launched in spring 2010 in support of a new $400 million Research Tower for SickKids. This new facility will house the 2,000 personnel working in the SickKids Research Institute providing them the infrastructure they need to carry out their world-class research. And we will be launching a number of new and exciting fundraising programs and events. I can’t wait to get started!

Each day I make a point of walking through Main Street in the Hospital. I view the faces of children and their parents – faces filled with hope and some with anxiety. It reminds me of the life-altering work that SickKids does. And it makes me proud to be a part of it.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ted Garrard
President & CEO, SickKids Foundation

Please find an important message below from Patsy Anderson, Chair of the Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation.

Dear SickKids Foundation supporters,

Today, SickKids Foundation released its financial statements for the fiscal year (April 2008 to March 2009). This past year, we generated $86.2 million in fundraising program revenue and $2 million in net lottery revenue. Thanks to the generosity of the community, SickKids Foundation made an investment of $64.4 million through grants to The Hospital for Sick Children and child health programs across the country.

We are proud to disclose that this is the largest charitable investment in paediatric health care and the largest charitable contribution to a hospital anywhere in Canada. Given the tough economy, we feel this investment is quite an achievement and reflects the dedication and hard work of SickKids staff, volunteers and supporters.

Our statements outline our yearly required filings with the Canada Revenue Agency and with the Internal Revenue Service in the United States. In addition, we are highlighting the actions taken by the Board of Directors over the past year that emphasize our ongoing commitment to our fiduciary responsibility and governance.

We want to continue to keep our community fully informed on the decision-making and financial responsibility of SickKids Foundation. We wish to hear any of your comments.

A special phone line has been set up to receive calls from the public at 416-813-1218. Please feel free to leave comments here on our blog and visit our website for more information.

Thank you,

Patsy Anderson
Chair, Board of Directors, SickKids Foundation

After an immensely successful Pay It Backward Day last April, The Daily Challenge group is at it again with its second installment but this time it's bigger and better.

The concept is simple. They're asking people to Pay It Backward on September 30 at more than 170 Second Cup locations across Ontario by purchasing a coffee for the person behind in line. With each act of "coffee kindness," $5 will be donated to SickKids Foundation.

The Second Cup Ltd and Silk Soy Beverage have jumped onboard as generous sponsors of the event. Together with The Daily Challenge, they hope to inspire 2,000 community members to join the movement and raise $10,000 for SickKids.

Pay It Backward Day unites the community around a cause to perform small acts of kindness. Visit your local participating Second Cup location on September 30 to Pay It Backward for SickKids.

If you're in the downtown Toronto area, pop by the 307 Queen St.(Queen/John) Second Cup for entertainment, festivities, media, celebrities and more!

Check out these inspirational videos created for Pay It Backward: 

If you cannot see this video, please click here to view it on YouTube.

If you cannot see this video, please click here to view it on YouTube.