Our transformation

Watch as the OMF transforms and continues to empower Ontario’s doctors in the coming years!

OMF transformation and renewed purpose

The beginning

The OMF’s journey in the arena of social impact began in spring 2018 when the foundation introduced a charitable initiative during the OMA’s Annual General Meeting. OMA Council delegates participated and donated items such as clothing, used eyeglasses and household supplies to support the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre, CAMH Suits Me Fine and WomenAide. Later that year, the OMF began fundraising efforts for the Shoebox Project Initiative, which has since been a yearly tradition for both the OMF and OMA.

In fall 2019, the foundation retained Global Philanthropic Inc. (Canada) to conduct a review in resetting its purpose within the context of the current strategic plan, resource allocation and OMA/physician needs. The report included recommendations for:

• Stronger alignment between the OMA and the OMF
• Building and strengthening the OMF brand
• Creating a compelling case for support
• Recruiting a skilled philanthropy professional

The broader vision

In early 2020, the OMF Board decided to expand the vision beyond the physician community. This led to a significant reordering of the 2017 priorities.

During the intervening years, the OMF had evolved and grown. As the foundation spent more time and resources focused on larger issues, the vision shifted. It became apparent that the current vision was inadequate. There was a desire to engage members and the public on social impact causes. Based on research from member surveys (such as the 2018 OMA Council feedback), a strategic review of the OMF and an environmental scan, along with support from the work of OMA Economics Policy and Research, the OMF recognized that:

• High-impact philanthropy will grow
• Members were interested in social determinants of health and physician-led impact opportunities
• Physicians want a voice at the table for important health issues

In 2020, the OMF experienced first-hand the changing trends in philanthropy and the shift to social impact issues as we navigated through fundraising during the pandemic:

• The COVID-19 campaign raised much-needed funds for PPE
• The OMF Virtual Gala replaced the annual OMF Golf Tournament and was a tremendous success in building awareness of the OMF and setting the tone for the future of the foundation
• The 2020 Shoebox Project Initiative pivoted to a virtual campaign and saw tremendous engagement from members

The renewed focus

The OMF looks to the future with a new mandate that unifies, bringing physician voices into a social impact arena and engaging members differently. The foundation continues to honour the legacy of student bursaries, supporting future physicians who we hope will carry forward a mandate to help all Ontarians. The OMF has built a strong bursary program with dedicated donors and will maintain and grow those relationships.

The OMF’s focus is no longer solely on physicians supporting physicians or medical students. The foundation's focus has expanded to:

• Offer the expertise and action of our community of physicians
• Improve the health of all Ontarians through both direct service and the health-care system — with a focus on those adversely affected by social determinants of health
• Focus our work based on research and member engagement

2021 – 2023 Strategic plan