uniPHARM & Medicine Centre Pharmacies Charitable Foundation

The uniPHARM & Medicine Centre Pharmacies Charitable Foundation (UMC Charity) is a Canadian nonprofit organization established to support and encourage underfunded charities that provide essential services, support, and research to individuals suffering from chronic and critical illnesses. The foundation was officially registered as a Canadian charity in July 2009.

History and Background

UMC Charity was founded by the members of uniPHARM Wholesale Drugs Ltd. and its banner program Medicine Centre. The foundation was created to formalize and amplify the charitable activities already undertaken by these independent pharmacy groups, which had a long-standing commitment to giving back to their communities. uniPHARM Wholesale Drugs Ltd. itself was launched in the early 1980s in British Columbia to provide independent pharmacies greater buying power and maintain competitive retail costs in an aggressive market. Over time, the dedication of the uniPHARM family to charitable causes culminated in the creation of UMC Charity as an official charitable foundation[1][3][5].

Mission and Mandate

The core mission of UMC Charity is to increase financial support for vital but underfunded health-related charities across Canada. The foundation targets its efforts at organizations that often face difficulties in fundraising and lack high public profiles. In doing so, UMC Charity aims to support impactful non-profit partners that operate with low bureaucracy and minimal administrative costs, ensuring that the maximum possible resources are directed toward the charitable causes[1][4][5].

Key Programs and Activities

UMC Charity conducts various fundraising initiatives through its pharmacy shareholders, which include over 145 independent pharmacies across Canada. These efforts include charity golf tournaments, in-store donation drives, and product discount sales, all aimed at raising funds for health-related charities.

One notable program is the donation matching initiative, where UMC Charity matches donations made by its shareholders to registered Canadian charities, effectively doubling the financial support to deserving causes. This program is especially beneficial for smaller charities that typically struggle with fundraising and visibility within their communities[3].

Grantmaking and Support

The foundation accepts grant applications from any registered Canadian charity that meets its eligibility criteria. Applications are reviewed annually by the Board of Directors, with decisions communicated by January 31 of the following year. While meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding, UMC Charity prioritizes grant requests that align with its focus on supporting chronic and critical illness-related services and research[2].

Governance and Registration

UMC Charity operates as a registered Canadian charitable foundation under the business registration number 856477856RR0001. It maintains a commitment to transparency, low administrative overhead, and strategic partnerships to maximize the impact of its charitable contributions[1][4].

UMC Charity continues to play a significant role in supporting health-related charitable organizations across Canada, leveraging the collective commitment of its independent pharmacy members to make a meaningful difference in communities nationwide.

[1] https://www.umccharity.com [2] https://www.umccharity.com/guidelines.html [3] https://www.unipharm.com/join_us [4] https://www.charitydata.ca/charity/unipharm-and-medicine-centre-pharmacies-charitable-foundation/856477856RR0001/ [5] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/umc-charity/