Foundation Focus: Hope and Cure
“…the Hospital is now becoming the recipient of bequests, and gradually commanding attention at the hands of the charitably disposed...” – Medical Superintendent Thomas J.W. Burgess MD, 1892.

Foundation Mandate Grows
Although donors contributed to the Douglas from the earliest years, the Douglas chose to create an official foundation in 1972. Run by volunteers, its main mandate was to manage donated funds. However, as government support for the Douglas dwindled, it became clear that the Foundation needed to do more. In 1991, the Foundation also assumed responsibility for fundraising and hired a full-time staff. The funds they have since raised and managed so capably have been essential to the growth of Douglas care, research and teaching. Last year, they gave over $1.5 million to the Douglas for its needs.

Three Donor Stories:

Pure Milk Aids Mental Health: The George Hogg Family Foundation
“The George Hogg Family Foundation was founded by my great grandfather George Hogg,but was financed largely by my grandfather, William Hogg,” explains Grace Hogg, the foundation’s grants coordinator. “My grandfather was determined to use part of his wealth to help the less fortunate in the city that had been so good to him. He was a very modest man and did not advertise his philanthropy.

George Hogg built his fortune with the Guaranteed Pure Milk Co., which he started in1900. William Hogg took over the company in the 1940s and ran it till 1987. The quality milk, ice cream, and cottage cheese the company produced were some of the first dairy products to be pasteurized in Montréal.

Since 1989, the George Hogg Family Foundation has donated generously to the Douglas, focussing primarily on patient care, including pro-viding eyeglasses to patients with limited means.

Husband-Wife Team Major Contributors: The Hylcan Foundation
The Hylcan Foundation name combines parts of the names “Hylda” and “Duncan”, in tribute to Duncan and Hylda Hodgson, the Foundation’s founders. Judy Martin, the Foundation’s executive director recalls, “Their main goal was to improve life for men, women and children who, in many cases, through no fault of their own, live in disadvantaged situations.”

The Hylcan Foundation contributes to health, social services and education improvement projects throughout Montréal and has been a staunch supporter of the Douglas since 1972.

“We recognize the leadership role the Douglas staff is taking in mental health care and research and are impressed with the way they’re bringing mental illness out into the open,” notes Judy. “Most recently, we’ve donated to the Moving Ahead Program and to schizophrenia research.”

A Tunnel and Much More: The Gustav Levinschi Foundation
Gustav Levinschi was a devoted Douglas supporter until his death in 1985. He was originally from Romania and settled in Montréal in the late 1940s, becoming a successful businessman. Determined to use part of his wealth to aid the poor, sick and disabled, he became interested in the Douglas and other health institutions.

The tunnel to the Roberts Recreation Centre was built in 1980 due to Mr. Levinschi’s generosity, in memory of his wife Bertha. Over the years, the Gustav Levinschi Foundation has donated to Durost Pavilion, Ward-in-a-House (now Levinschi House), the Auxiliary’s Christmas Fund and, more recently, the Douglas Mini-Psych School educational program.

“He was interested in meeting urgent needs—and provided the Douglas with a lot of practical help, from a ramp for the handicapped to an elevator,” notes Secretary-Treasurer Anita David. In 2004, Levinschi House was named in Mr.Levinschi’s honour, in recognition of his out-standing commitment to mental health.