Providing another example of the wide variety of ways in which the Canada-Caribbean relationship finds expression, today the Brenda Stafford Foundation has committed $6 Million to healthcare and community across the Caribbean.
What a fantastic intiative!
November 3, 2026
The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) is proudly committing $6 million over the next 18 months to strengthen healthcare services, build local capacity and advance sustainable health outcomes across the Caribbean.
The commitment represents a significant portion of BSF’s planned $10 million investment in strategic initiatives and partnerships. Of the $6 million dedicated to the Caribbean, $3 million will support eye health initiatives, including $2 million for Institut Brenda Strafford in Haiti and $1 million to advance eye health across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
“Our commitment to the Caribbean builds on more than forty years of partnership across the region,” said Tony Weeks, President and CEO of The Brenda Strafford Foundation. “We recognize that lasting impact is driven by strong local leadership and collaboration. With the broad support of Ministers of Health and Wellness across the region, we have an opportunity to strengthen healthcare systems, build local capacity and create sustainable improvements in the health and wellbeing of communities.”
Advancing Sustainable Healthcare Across the Caribbean
The funding will build on BSF’s long-standing healthcare partnerships in Haiti, Jamaica, Dominica and the wider Eastern Caribbean, reflecting the Foundation’s commitment to working alongside governments, healthcare providers and community partners to support solutions that can deliver lasting improvements in health and wellbeing.
Key areas of investment include:
- Haiti: $2.7 million to support Institut Brenda Strafford, continuing and expanding access to specialized eye and ENT care, including advanced surgical services, diagnostic technologies and long-term healthcare infrastructure.
- Eastern Caribbean: $1 million to advance eye health in collaboration with the OECS, supporting a regional eye health strategy, improved screening and referral systems, equipment and standards of care, and access to specialized services. Additional initiatives include investments in new medical equipment in Dominica to strengthen local healthcare capacity, and support for a children’s health promotion and awareness campaign in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, focused on nutrition, health education and encouraging healthy lifestyles from an early age.
- Research and Training: $950,000 to strengthen healthcare systems through biomedical engineering training, research, knowledge sharing and evidence informed practices that support healthcare professionals and decision-makers across the Caribbean.
- Jamaica: $600,000 to advance healthcare initiatives and partnerships, supporting improved access to care and stronger local healthcare capacity.
Strengthening Regional Eye Health
BSF was proud to participate in the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health, which took place in Antigua and Barbuda on November 2. Eye health remains a central priority for BSF’s work in the Caribbean, with $3 million in planned investments dedicated to expanding access to services, strengthening clinical capacity and supporting coordinated improvements in eye healthcare.
In the Eastern Caribbean, BSF is collaborating with the OECS Commission on initiatives to strengthen eye health systems across Member States, building on the Regional Eye Health Strategic Plan Project launched in 2025.
The Foundation’s commitment includes support for the Dominica Eye Centre, with $100,000 in funding to advance eye healthcare services in Dominica.
BSF is also continuing its work through the Caribbean Eye Health Alliance. The Alliance brings together organizations and individuals working to address eye health and vision needs across the Caribbean, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and coordinated efforts to improve eye health across the region.
BSF’s investments reflect its commitment to this broader international effort, while responding to the specific healthcare priorities and opportunities identified through its Caribbean partnerships.
Building on a Legacy of Partnership
The Caribbean commitment is part of BSF’s Impact 2030 strategic plan, which focuses the Foundation’s resources, expertise and partnerships on creating meaningful, lasting impact in four priority areas: Aging, Children & Youth, Health and Violence Prevention.
With a history of healthcare partnerships in the Caribbean dating back to 1982, BSF continues to evolve its approach from supporting individual healthcare programs to strengthening regional collaboration, advancing research and building the capacity of local healthcare systems.
Through these investments, BSF aims to contribute to a more accessible, resilient and sustainable healthcare future for communities across the Caribbean.
About The Brenda Strafford Foundation
The Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) is a strategic philanthropic foundation that invests in bold ideas, trusted partnerships, and evidence-informed solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. Working across aging, children and youth, health, and violence prevention, BSF brings together resources, relationships, and expertise to strengthen communities and create lasting impact.
Through the Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality (CLIQ), BSF also advances innovation, research, quality improvement, and knowledge mobilization to turn evidence into practice and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Source: The Brenda Strafford Foundation