This coming May, more than 80 charities will take part in the Desjardins Charity Challenge at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend — each with stories to tell and a mission to champion.
“The biggest challenge for Ottawa charities is twofold: creating awareness and raising funds,” says Sam Laprade, creator and host of Rogers tv Ottawa show An Hour to Give. She’s got more than 35 years of experience helping charitable organizations thrive through fundraising, talent recruitment, community engagement, and powerful storytelling.
“Sharing the impact of the charity’s work with people or animals or the environment can be a struggle for many working in the philanthropic sector as they have limited resources.”
The second challenge for Ottawa charities, Laprade says, is “to raise sustainable funding to ensure consistent and intentional programs are available to youth or seniors, for example.
“Inspiring new donors for the first time and keeping current donors aware of the lives that are being changed or potentially, even saved, through the donations to a local charity is crucial.”
A powerful, no-cost charity platform for local companies
The Desjardins Charity Challenge offers these organizations a powerful platform to raise awareness and funds at no cost to them. Through the integrated JustGiving platform, charities can receive donations directly while participants amplify impact either individually or as part of a team.
Team participation comes with a host of benefits to an organization while donating time and energy to an important cause. These teams are often led by one or more motivated individuals who have been impacted by the support or the cause of a local charity.
These energetic team leaders inspire co-workers, friends, and family to take part in the Desjardins Charity Challenge.
Laprade’s top tip for team captains? Dream big with the five W’s and H.
“Kick off this year’s fundraising challenge with a ‘dream big’ team meeting,” she says, adding that companies should think about:
- What they want to accomplish for their favourite charity, along with setting a fundraising goal
- When you want to launch the campaign (along with a fun way to kick it off
- Who you want to invite to donate and participate in fundraising efforts
- Where you can share the message about the charity and the various opportunities you all have through your networks and how you want to raise the money in the coming weeks.
The most important W of this winning formula is why: Laprade says to start your “dream big” session with why you’re supporting this charity, while sharing your own stories. Starting with your own story – your why – will inspire your team so you can be tenacious both in your running and your fundraising, helping you to cross both finish lines with a personal best.
2026 will be a milestone year, with participants driving total funds raised to $10 million since the program’s inception in 2015.
That means every registration becomes more than a race entry – it becomes a chance to rally a community, support a cause, and turn every kilometre into meaningful change.
Ready to take part in Ottawa’s biggest multi-charity fundraiser on May 23 and 24? Sign up as a corporate team today and make every kilometer count.