27 Oct Mary Gordon’s $1 Million Legacy Supports Emerging Health Projects

Today, we’re honoured to announce the first grants from the Mary Gordon Legacy Fund, made possible by one of the largest gifts in the Foundation’s history.

Earlier this year, we received a $750,000 gift from Mary Gordon’s estate through funds held at Vancouver Foundation. Combined with an initial gift received in 2023, Mary’s generosity through the Foundation now totals $1 million.

The Foundation first received a portion of Mary’s estate in 2023, establishing several endowment funds supporting causes that mattered deeply to her, including seniors, nursing and caregiving students, youth development, and community wellbeing. The most recent gift established the Mary Gordon Legacy Fund, a spend-down fund designed to invest directly in community priorities at a faster pace than traditional endowments while helping inspire future generations of philanthropy on the Sunshine Coast.

Our Board of Directors is proud to honour Mary’s lifelong commitment to healthcare and caring for others through three inaugural grants of $10,000 each from the Mary Gordon Legacy Fund. These investments support emerging health and wellness projects on the Sunshine Coast, that need the community’s support to get over the finish line:

• Foundry Sunshine Coast, an integrated youth service centre that will support the health and wellbeing of young people aged 12 to 24;
• Mossy Rock Hospice, the Sunshine Coast’s first dedicated hospice house, providing compassionate end-of-life care close to home; and
• tutulshenam Healing House, an Indigenous-led health and wellness initiative that will provide culturally grounded healing and recovery services.

Born in Prince Rupert and raised in Sechelt, Mary Gordon came from a family whose entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the Sunshine Coast’s early history. After graduating from the Royal Columbian Hospital School of Nursing in 1959, she served communities across British Columbia and abroad before returning to the Sunshine Coast, where she later became Director of Nursing at Sechelt | shíshálh Hospital.

Throughout her life, Mary supported numerous charitable causes, including healthcare, seniors, youth, the arts, environmental initiatives, and local businesses. Following her passing in 2021, her generosity has continued to strengthen the community she loved through a series of transformative gifts from her estate.

“Mary spent her career caring for others, and healthcare remained one of her greatest passions throughout her life,” said Erin Storey, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “These three projects reflect that commitment and address important health and wellness needs on the Sunshine Coast. We are honoured to help steward Mary’s generosity in a way that will benefit our community for many years.”

First Nations Health Foundation in support of tutulshenam Healing House
“This support means a great deal to us and brings us one step closer to making this important project a reality. tutulshenam Healing House is rooted in a vision of creating a culturally grounded place of healing, wellness, and connection that will serve our community and the broader Sunshine Coast for generations to come. We are grateful to have the Sunshine Coast Foundation alongside us in bringing this vision to life.” – shíshálh Nation Chief, hiwus Warren Paull

Sunshine Coast Hospice in support of Mossy Rock Hospice
“Mary Gordon’s life achievements reflect a deep commitment to compassionate care, community connection, and giving back. From her years in nursing to her enduring generosity toward local organizations, Mary understood the importance of caring for people and helping them navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. We are honoured to carry forward her legacy of care, ensuring no one has to face this journey alone.” – Tess Huntly, Executive Director, Sunshine Coast Hospice Society

Sunshine Coast Community Services Society in support of Foundry Sunshine Coast
“This investment helps move an important community vision forward: creating a welcoming space where young people and their families can access health and wellness support under one roof. Thanks to partners like the Foundation, we are building a stronger future for youth on the Sunshine Coast.” – Catherine Leach, Executive Director, Sunshine Coast Community Services Society

The grants were first announced at our third annual Gratitude Gathering in September.

“Mary Gordon believed deeply in giving back to the community she loved, and her generosity continues to create opportunities that might not otherwise be possible,” said Elfie Hofmann, the Foundation’s Board Chair. “These grants are an important example of how philanthropy can strengthen our community today while helping address the needs of tomorrow. We hope Mary’s story encourages others to think about the impact they can have through their own charitable giving.”

About the Sunshine Coast Foundation
Since 2003, the Sunshine Coast Foundation has helped turn generosity into lasting community impact. We inspire and strengthen community by connecting people, ideas, and resources where they can make the greatest difference. Through charitable funds, local grants, and community-building initiatives, we help address local needs and opportunities while investing in the future of our Coast. Today, the Foundation stewards more than 110 charitable funds and approximately $13 million in assets and has granted nearly $5 million to the community since inception. To learn more, visit: https://sunshinecoastfoundation.org

Additional Information
For more about the projects supported through the Mary Gordon Legacy Fund, visit:

• Foundry Sunshine Coast: https://www.sccss.ca/foundry-sunshine-coast
• Mossy Rock Hospice: https://www.mossyrockhospice.ca/
• tutulshenam Healing House: https://tutulshenam.org/