Project 2030 is Future Healthcare Fund's overarching movement to tackle Canada’s growing healthcare staff shortage. By 2030, Canada will face a predicted shortfall of over 200,000 healthcare workers, threatening the stability of our healthcare system.
At the heart of Project 2030 are five key campaigns: Future Nurses Fund—providing scholarships for aspiring nurses, Future Doctors Fund—supporting future physicians, Healthcare Recruitment Panels—connecting talent with opportunities, The Gift of Giving Campaign—recognizing and supporting current healthcare workers, and Frontline Voices: Anecdotes & Advice—our interviews gathering personal stories, insights, and advice from healthcare workers to inspire and guide the next generation .
PROJECT 2030
Future Healthcare Fund’s first campaign; inspiring our journey of growthFuture Nurses Fund
Canada is facing an alarming nursing shortage, with a projected deficit of 117,600 nurses by 2030. Surveys by the CFNU in 2019 revealed that 83% of nurses felt their institutions were understaffed, 73% reported regular overcapacity, and nearly one-third of current nurses providing direct care are nearing retirement. Given these numbers, the need for sustainable solutions is more urgent than ever.
In response to this crisis, the Future Healthcare Fund has launched the Future Nurses Fund campaign, partnered with The University of British Columbia (UBC)’s Nursing department, aimed at addressing this shortage through two key initiatives: the “Fund a Nurse” fundraisers and the FHF Richmond Nursing Scholarship Program. These initiatives are designed to support aspiring nurses by reducing financial barriers to education and encouraging more students to pursue careers in healthcare.
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The FHF Richmond Nursing Scholarship Program recognizes students who demonstrate both outstanding achievements and a passion for healthcare. This scholarship award provides financial support to deserving candidates, helping reduce the financial burden of nursing school expenses.
Specifically, the scholarship offers three $10,000 awards to students enrolling in UBC’s nursing program in Fall 2025, totalling $30,000 in financial support. Through this campaign, Future Healthcare Fund seeks to encourage more students to pursue nursing careers and support the development of skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals who will strengthen Canada's healthcare infrastructure.
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The Fund a Nurse initiative mobilizes community support to provide direct financial assistance to nursing students. By raising funds through popular fundraising events such as Krispy Kreme and Strawberry Shortcake fundraisers–bringing the community together to support future healthcare professionals–this initiative helps cover some of the tuition and other costs associated with nursing education.
The goal is to empower students with the resources they need to complete their training and contribute meaningfully to Canada's healthcare system.
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Our founder's inspiration for the Strawberry Shortcake Fundraiser comes from a personal experience. During a hospital stay, she noticed the severe understaffing issues firsthand. Despite the challenging conditions, her nurse made a lasting impact by offering small acts of kindness, including a strawberry shortcake inspired by her favorite film. This simple gesture symbolized deep care and compassion amid a difficult time.
Inspired by this meaningful encounter, she decided to give back by starting a "Fund a Nurse" fundraiser. She and her friends baked homemade strawberry shortcakes, each one dedicated to the nurse who had shown her such kindness, and sold them around their neighbourhoods. The proceeds raised $1,000 to support the education of a future nurse. This fundraiser eventually led to the launch of the organization, Future Healthcare Fund, committed to empowering healthcare workers. Since then, the impact of the "Fund a Nurse" campaign has only grown, providing more resources and opportunities for nurses, and helping to alleviate the challenges faced by all healthcare workers.
Future Doctors Fund
Canada is also experiencing a significant doctor shortage, with increasing wait times, physician burnout, and a growing demand for healthcare services. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reported that Canada will face a shortage of over 44,000 physicians by 2028. Many regions, especially rural and underserved communities, are struggling to attract and retain medical professionals.
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Future Healthcare Fund (FHF) also aims to establish scholarships and financial aid programs to support students pursuing medical degrees. With UBC, a $10,000 scholarship going towards a student pursuing a degree in their Doctor of Medicine program is currently in progress. These initiatives will target students with financial need, helping reduce student debt and creating more opportunities for aspiring doctors.
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Doctors play a critical role in maintaining public health, but financial barriers often deter talented students from pursuing careers in medicine. By reducing financial burdens, we aim to empower the next generation of doctors to focus on their education, training, and patient care without the weight of financial stress.
Healthcare Recruitment Panels
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has reported ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled professionals, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The Healthcare Recruitment Panels by Future Healthcare Fund, in partnership with British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), are designed to address workforce shortages in Canada's healthcare system by equipping students and aspiring professionals with the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to succeed. These panels serve as a platform for education and mentorship, encouraging a new generation of passionate and well-prepared healthcare workers. Planning to expand across schools in the Richmond and Vancouver School Districts, we also envision bringing this opportunity into underserved communities, aiming to make healthcare career education widely accessible.
The Gift of Giving Campaign
The Gift of Giving (GOG) is a seasonal campaign organized by Future Healthcare Fund, involving the distribution of thoughtful gifts to healthcare workers at local hospitals. This initiative includes gift baskets on Christmas, Valentine’s, Easters, Mother’s & Father’s day, and much more. We hope that this acts as a small gesture of appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices healthcare workers make. The campaign aims to bring festive cheer and show gratitude to these dedicated individuals, especially during the holiday seasons.
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Throughout the year, FHF distributes a variety of small but meaningful gifts to celebrate different holidays and occasions:
Christmas: Holiday gift baskets filled with festive treats, seasonal snacks, and small presents.
Valentine's Day: Flowers, cards, and sweet snacks as a gesture of love and appreciation.
Easter: Special Easter treats and small gifts, brightening the spirits of healthcare workers.
Mother's Day & Father's Day: Handwritten cards and thoughtful gifts recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of working parents.
Halloween: Fun treats and snacks, offering a festive surprise to healthcare workers.
New Year’s: New Year’s cards and small gifts to ring in the new year with gratitude and hope.
These gifts serve as tokens of appreciation, reminding healthcare workers that their hard work does not go unnoticed, and they are supported and valued throughout the year.
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The Gift of Giving campaign extends its reach to local hospitals, particularly focusing on healthcare workers at Richmond Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, UBC Hospital, Providence Hospital, Health clinics, and more. Each holiday season, FHF makes it a priority to visit these hospitals, delivering thoughtful and festive gifts to show appreciation for the healthcare staff.
Frontline Voices: Anecdotes & Advice
Frontline Voices: Anecdotes & Advice is a series by Future Healthcare Fund that collects and shares the personal stories, experiences, and wisdom of healthcare workers through our interviews across hospitals in Greater Vancouver. This initiative highlights the challenges healthcare professionals face on the frontlines, offering valuable insights into the realities of the profession. In addition to sharing their journeys, these workers provide advice they wish they could give to their younger selves, as well as guidance for medical students and future healthcare professionals. By amplifying their voices, Frontline Voices aims to inspire and educate the next generation of frontline workers while cultivating a deeper understanding of their dedication and compassion that drive healthcare workers every day.