The GCC has distributed over $19.4 million to over 300 Palm Beach County Charities.
Founded in 2009, the Great Charity Challenge (GCC) sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, came forward as a way to increase funding to local non-profits, following the 2008 economic crisis, at a time when donations were scarce.
The event generated over $400,000 in its first year, benefiting 24 local charities. Today, the event has grown to benefit over 30 local charities competing for over $1 million each year.
The 2024 event will be held during the 4th week of the Winter Equestrian Festival on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Wellington International.
The application process will be open to all Palm Beach County based 501c3's from October 16 through October 30, 2023. The selection process will take place in early December during our very own Holiday & Horses. Selected organizations will compete on Saturday, February 3, 2024, for a chance to win up to $100,000.
Additional smaller grants will be awarded leading up to the event via a random selection process for non-profits who pass the GCC’s vetting process. These grants will range between $1,000 and $10,000.
The GCC is a relay-style equestrian jumping competition with teams consisting of two junior/amateur riders combined with one Olympic or world-class rider. The rider teams are randomly paired with charities that serve Palm Beach County.
To view the Community Impact Report, click the button below.
Some features of the GCC Event:
- 100% of all proceeds go straight to benefit charities
- The winning team of riders will be awarded $100,000 for its charity
- Additional smaller grants will also be awarded leading up to the event, via a random selection process for non-profits who pass the GCC’s vetting process. These grants will range between $1,000 and $10,000.
To view a full list of benefitting organizations, click the button below.
GCC Values
Professionalism: We are “Impact Driven”.
Through partnerships with Fidelity Investments® and Bank of America, our vetting and granting process are strict and thorough, ensuring that benefiting non-profits are impactful as well as financially and operationally secure.
Transparency: Charities Receive 100% of Donations.
The Equestrian Sport Productions management team, who oversees and organizes the Winter Equestrian Festival, takes on all the expenses associated with the event, ensuring your donations go straight to work.
Impartiality: A Lottery Style Selection Process.
To guarantee full transparency, participating non-profits are assigned a “lottery ball” that is thrown in a raffle drum. All drawings are done publicly.
Bridging the Gap: Uniting Local Communities.
The event is a true team effort, uniting the equestrian and local communities to foster the change they wish to see in their own backyards.
Interested in participating as a non-profit? Please click the button below.
