What we do
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa provides children and youth with a safe place between the realities of home life and the pressures of school — a place of positivity and belonging where they can play, create and learn what it takes to become their best selves.
We aim to be Ottawa’s leading champion of children and youth; corporations, communities and families will look to us first to understand what children and youth need to thrive today and in the future.
For 100 years, BGC Ottawa has provided FREE programs and services directly to children and youth in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Tailored to the needs of communities across the city of Ottawa, our programs encourage and empower children and youth, and help them set a path for success. Programs are developed and delivered based on four foundational pillars of physical activity and healthy lifestyle, creative arts, leadership and social skills, and education.
As one of Ottawa’s largest child and youth-serving charitable organizations, we serve more than 5,000 young people each year.
How you can help
Funding priorities
Over the past year, BGC Ottawa’s membership has increased to more than 5,000 children and youth, who made more than 100,000 visits to our Clubhouses and satellite locations to participate in multiple programs. Additionally, our community outreach team that includes our Neighbourhood Ambassador Program, Provincial Youth Outreach Workers and the Ottawa Youth Diversion Program had nearly 20,000 interactions throughout the 19 neighbourhoods that we currently serve. The Club has doubled its impact in recent years, but the need is growing. As a team, we are working hard to meet the demand and the ever-changing needs of our community by expanding our reach to 30 priority neighbourhoods over the next year.
We need your support to keep our Clubhouses open when children, youth and their families need us the most. Additionally, BGC Ottawa needs financial resources to provide the life-changing programs and services that our Members have grown to love and rely on, including our Sports and Leadership League – Ottawa’s only FREE, year-round competitive sports program for children and youth ages 6-18.
Give
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community, BGC Ottawa has provided programming directly to children and youth in vulnerable neighbourhoods for 100 years. That’s a century of laughter, learning, family, community, passion and fun. By investing in the Club, you are providing young people with countless opportunities to obtain skills for life in a safe, supportive and barrier-free environment. They are our leaders of tomorrow, and they need your support today.
- One-time donation
- Monthly or annual gift
- Honour a loved one
- Leave a legacy
- Gifts of publicly traded securities/mutual funds
- Sponsor an event
Volunteer
Volunteers are an integral part of BGC Ottawa. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer many of our life-changing programs and services, or host special events. Help make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth in our community by volunteering your time.
- Clubhouse volunteering
- Post-secondary student placements
- High-school students
- Special event volunteering
- Group and corporate volunteering
- Board of Directors
If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Melissa Marion at mmarion@bgcottawa.org.
Events + fundraising
BGC Ottawa hosts two marquee fundraising events each year – The MORNING SOCIAL and BGC OTTAWA GALA.
In May 2023, we celebrated the Club’s 100-year anniversary and the return of our signature morning event to its traditional May timeframe. The Morning Social is an incredible community platform and sponsorship opportunity. It is an event that starts your day off right and inspires hundreds of guests from across Ottawa’s business community.
The BGC Ottawa Gala is one of the most talked-about charity events of the year. It is not the typical gala experience that many guests are accustomed to, because there are no long speeches or a sit-down dinner. Instead, guests are whisked into a magical night under the stars surrounded by a glamourous social atmosphere, delicious dishes from several of Ottawa’s top restaurants, delightful cocktails and exciting entertainment. It’s a fun-filled opportunity to join with other like-minded people and organizations to positively impact the lives of children and youth across the city. To learn more about our marquee events, please contact Amanda Nigh at anigh@bgcottawa.org.
THIRD-PARTY EVENTS
Community members can get together to host events that benefit BGC Ottawa. From Denim Days at the office, to summer barbeques and golf tournaments, to donations in lieu of gifts at parties, third-party events offer organizers the chance to give back. We provide event organizers with a toolkit that includes important information and tips to make your event a success. For more information on hosting a third-party event, please contact Annie Premachuk at apremachuk@bgcottawa.org.
RENTALS
BGC Ottawa facilities are available to businesses, community groups, associations and organizations that need temporary or long-term space. From meeting space to sports and activities to an overnight stay in our cabins at Camp Smitty or Log Home on Mink Lake. For more information on BGC Ottawa rentals, please visit www.bgcottawa.org/rentals.
Get in touch:
2825 Dumaurier Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7W3
www.bgcottawa.org
@BGCOttawa
Year founded: 1923
Total revenue for last fiscal year: $8,700,129
X: @BGCOttawa
Facebook: /BGCOttawa
Instagram: @BGCOttawa
Adam Joiner, CEO & Alumnus
Robyn Osgood, Chair
BOARD MEMBERS
- Robyn Osgood, Chair
- Meredithe Rechan, Vice Chair
- Blaine Fitzgerald, Treasurer / Director
- Farhana Alarakhiya, Director
- Jock Climie, Director
- Brittany Forsyth-Wilson, Director
- Derek Noble, Director
- Robert Rheaume, Director
- Craig Robinson, Director
- Judi Shum-Mousseau, Director
- Michelle Taggart, Director
- Michael Tshimanga, Director
- Michelle Ward, Director
- Setareh Ziai, Director
- Stephen Beckta, Emeritus Director
- Graham Macmillan, Emeritus Director
TOP FUNDING SOURCES
FUNDRAISING AND INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS: 46%
EVENTS: 13%
OTHER: 13%
CITY OF OTTAWA: 12%
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO: 11%
UNITED WAY: 5%
GEOGRAPHIC REGION OF FOCUS
Ottawa Area & Camp Smitty
BGC Ottawa currently serves 19 neighbourhoods throughout Ottawa with its community outreach programs and services. We operate four full-capacity Clubhouses, in addition to several satellite locations. While Camp Smitty, our sleep-away camp, is located in Eganville.
Charitable Registration #118814565 RR000
