With a focus on creating a positive impact in Palm Beach County, the 2023 edition of the Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments® (GCC), held at Wellington International during the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), raised over $1.7 million for local non-profit organizations.
The community at large came together and entered Candy World back on February 4th to celebrate a night of exciting show jumping competition that blended equestrian sports and philanthropy, along with the incredible impact these funds would bring to the community. A combined 624,996 lives were directly touched since the event seven months ago.
The $1.7 million distributed is a direct reflection of the generous support of 100+ donors and sponsors, joining forces to address the unique needs of 90 Palm Beach County charities.
Caridad Center, the largest free clinic in Florida, received $100,000 through the event; the increased funding has directly affected the agencies capacity to upgrade the health, education, and living standards of underserved children and families. The excitement and passion Caridad Center expressed when they received the grant, is the same passion and energy they put into every person that comes through their doors.
Clinics Can Help’s $60,000 enabled the organization to purchase 750 Pack N’ Play cribs, ensuring that babies were in a safe sleeping environment.
Hope Floats has provided 53 kids with lifesaving swim lessons since they received funds back in February. The state of Florida has one of the highest rates of childhood drowning. “Participation in high-quality, formal swimming lessons like those at Small Fish Big Fish can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%.” The GCC is proud to provide lifesaving funds to organizations like Hope Floats.
We invite you to view the collective impact of $1.7 million that was allocated to 90 local non-profit organizations at https://bit.ly/2023GCCFinalFundUse. The many stories these organizations share not only touch our hearts but inspire us to keep creating a lasting impact and a legacy for years to come.
Since the event’s inception, the GCC has funneled $19.4 million to 318 non-profit organizations. Thanks to the support from the team at Wellington International, the event redistributes 100% of the funds raised and aims to create even more impact each year.
SAVE THE DATE:
The 15th Annual GCC will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 and intends on raising an additional $2 million. Applications for the 2024 edition are officially closed; lucky participants will be randomly selected on the night of December 16, 2023, accompanied by donors, sponsors, and local officials who have supported the event since the start.
To stay up to date, we invite you to follow us on Facebook: @greatcharitychallenge and Instagram: @great_charity_challenge
For additional information about the event, including donation and sponsorship information, please visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity’s mission is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. With assets under administration of $11.5 trillion, including discretionary assets of $4.4 trillion as of September 30, 2023, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a diverse set of customers. Privately held for 77 years, Fidelity employs more than 73,000 associates who are focused on the long-term success of our customers. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
About the Winter Equestrian Festival
Situated in the heart of Wellington, FL, the iconic "Winter Equestrian Capital of the World", Wellington International is the proud host of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). This internationally recognized 13-week event stands as the world's largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show in the world. Every year, WEF opens its gates to thousands of riders from all 50 U.S. states and over 34 countries, cementing its reputation as a global equestrian hub. Spanning more than 111 acres, Wellington International is equipped with 18 competition arenas, over 400 permanent equine stalls, dedicated horse trails, pedestrian paths, and golf cart tracks. Beyond the equestrian sports, WEF offers an all-encompassing experience, featuring VIP services, unmatched hospitality, versatile event spaces, and world-class shopping opportunities. With an annual contribution of more than $351 million to Palm Beach County's GDP and the creation of over 3,300 jobs, the festival's impact extends well beyond the facility. The Winter Equestrian Festival is a flagship event operated by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC. For more information or to experience the equestrian excellence firsthand, visit www.wellingtoninternational.com
