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