Our 2024 Charities
The CHEK Charity Pledge Program was started in 2005 as part of our Victoria Marathon. CHEK News’ Stacy Ross, is our honorary chair. Over 2.5 million dollars has been raised since the program started.
For more information, please contact our Charity Coordinators are Mandy Parker and Cathy Noel at charity@runvictoriamarathon.com.
Another Brick in Nepal
Another Brick in Nepal was formed with the goal of raising money to help Nepal re-build after the disastrous earthquakes there in 2015. Our focus is on schools in the remote regions of the country where the need for our help is greatest.
Autism Speaks Canada
Autism Speaks Canada is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families by supporting and working with community partners; enhancing resources and services; increasing understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
BC Cancer Foundation
The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds for BC Cancer to support world-leading scientists and clinicians across the province — as they advance global innovation and accelerate access for all British Columbians to cutting edge cancer care, close to home. As the largest philanthropic funder of cancer research and care in the province, our donors fuel hope for the 80,000 patients per year who depend on BC Cancer. Every dollar we raise stays in B.C., advancing breakthroughs and innovation across BC Cancer’s research programs and six world-class centers.
Broadmead Care
Broadmead Care Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raisings funds to support the programs and services offered through Broadmead Care Society. Broadmead Care Society is a non-profit organization, offering long-term care and programs for people who require assistance every day. With five locations in the Victoria area and compassionate, dedicated staff, we live our purpose by building communities where every person can experience wellbeing and happiness.
When you donate to Broadmead Care Foundation, you have a direct and positive impact on Broadmead Care’s residents and clients. Your donations enable us to provide specialized programs and equipment to help those in our care live as fully as they can.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of children and adults affected by these diseases. We are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohn’s and colitis research in the world, investing over $140 million in research since 1974, leading to important breakthroughs in genetics, gut microbes, inflammation and cell repair as well as laying the groundwork for new and better treatments. We are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis (the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease) through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization whose goal is to avoid preventable deaths, reduce human suffering and uphold people’s dignity. We work to provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, disease, disaster and exclusion from healthcare in more than 70 countries around the world. MSF’s actions are guided by medical ethics and the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. We do not take sides in armed conflict and provide care to people based on medical needs alone, regardless of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
Team up with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to raise funds for our patients around the world. Set up a fundraising page and we have some great prize incentives to help motivate you to collect funds.
Fast and Female
Fast and Female is a Canadian charity on a mission to keep self-identified girls aged 8-14 healthy and active in sports. Founded in 2005, Fast and Female believes in the power of positive sport experiences and role models to give girls leadership, teamwork and resiliency skills. In our endeavour to foster lasting involvement in sports, we host national and local events and programs in collaboration with community partners and like-minded individuals. Fast and Female provides opportunities for powerful connection with REAL (Relatable, Empowered, Active Leaders) Role Models from within the girls’ communities.
FOM Music Society
Friends of Music is a charitable organization that provides musical opportunities to persons recovering from mental illness.
We offer a diverse array of music programs to adults of all ages (over 16), with weekly daytime and evening programming at the Eric Martin Pavilion in Victoria. In 1989, our charity started with just the Moodswing Orchestra and now we welcome musicians of all skill levels to our 7 performance groups, 4 music lesson groups, drop-in programs, Special Events, Open Mics and a Community Concert Series. Join us as part of your wellness plan, or as a supportive volunteer.
Now, more than ever we need accessible mental health programs in the community, where people feel seen, and connected to others. Help us keep the music going in support of Mental Health by donating now!
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity Victoria is a registered charity that brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. Founded in 1990, Habitat for Humanity Victoria has built 34 homes locally and served 38 families. We build decent housing to provide local families with access to affordable homeownership in the Capital Region.
KidSport Greater Victoria
KidSport Greater Victoria supports local children and youth in financial need by getting them off the sidelines and onto the sports fields, arenas, gyms, pools and more that they love! Registration fees totaling over $4,100,000 have supported over 16,100 local kids over the last 23 years, all possible thanks to the organization’s donors and supporters. KidSport Greater Victoria works hard So ALL Kids Can Play, to ensure that kids have access to the benefits and lessons sport can offer, including teamwork, resilience, fair play, leadership and much more.
NEED2: Suicide Prevention, Education & Support
NEED2 is a youth-focused suicide prevention agency that runs Youthspace.ca - a digital crisis text and chat helpline where our 120+ volunteers provide emotional and crisis support to Canadian youth 365 nights a year. Through our in-school programs and community education, we start meaningful conversations around mental health to help break the stigma and create caring communities without suicide.
Our Place Society
Our Place Society has grown from a unique inner-city community centre to multiple locations serving Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable, including people struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use issues, the working poor, and impoverished elderly.
We are the largest emergency food supplier on southern Vancouver Island, providing over 1,000 nutritious meals to those struggling with poverty and homelessness in our region. Our Place is known for providing meals to hungry folk 365 days a year, even throughout a pandemic. We are facing a dire situation at Our Place as Inflation has hit its highest level in nearly 40 years and the rising cost of food is taking a toll on us. Our food suppliers are telling us to brace for a 15-30% increase in food costs, and this is not something we can manage without support.
PISE Pacific Institute of Sport Education
We are a non-profit organization, helping build a healthy, active community with a focus on inclusion, physical literacy, active living and developing performance athletes. PISE is proud to work with over 10,000 children each year, bringing them heart pumping, bone building, sweaty and fun physical literacy enriched sessions at schools, recreation and community centres and at PISE. We have provided programs since 2010, focusing on children living in financial need or with disabilities. Our goal is for every child to LOVE being active so that they develop into happy, healthy and active adults.
We are currently raising funds to send children from families in financial need to summer camp and for scholarships for high performance student athletes to attend the Canadian Sport School at PISE. Please help us in bringing healthy physical activity to children in our community.
Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club
The Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club was formed in 1978 and registered under the Societies Act in 1982. For over four decades, the Harriers have supported a number of educational, athletic and charitable programs starting with the Gunner Shaw Bursary in 1985. In 1986 the general membership of the club passed a motion to set up a Harriers Foundation to annually support community, athletic, youth and charitable initiatives in the Greater Victoria area. With the Gunner Shaw Bursary, John Thipthorpe Scholarship, Susan Reid Bursary, Arthur Taylor Award, Rosamund Dashwood Scholarship, Ken Smythe Bursary, Alex Marshall Scholarship and Sandy Auburn Scholarship all at their limit, four PIH events are designated annually to raise money to support further Harriers Foundation initiatives.
The Starfish Environmental Society
The Starfish Canada is an environmental charity that's here to show that youth aren't just the leaders of tomorrow - they're also the leaders of today. Through education, engagement and inspiration, we give young people the tools and platforms to showcase the bounty of insights and innovations that will help us solve some of our big environmental challenges. We're listed on our donation page through our business name: The Starfish Environmental Society.
Victoria Hospice
Victoria Hospice provides specialized care to people living with life-limiting illness and grief. We focus on quality of life through holistic, comfort-oriented care, supporting people’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Families, chosen families, and friends are included as essential members of our circle of support.
We offer end-of-life care on the Inpatient Unit, short-term crisis consultation and treatment at home, and bereavement services online and at our Community Support Centre. We engage in education, training, and research for evidence-based clinical practices and to advance palliative care across Canada and around the world. Our interdisciplinary team includes trained volunteers who support care and comfort for patients and families, help with fundraising events, the Rooftop Garden, and office administration.
Victoria Hospitals Foundation
Giving Makes Us All Better. The Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) works in partnership with Island Health to enable donations to every area of care at Royal Jubilee, Victoria General, and Gorge Road hospitals. As Island Health’s charitable partner, we raise donations for medical equipment, special projects, education, and research. VHF donors fund an incredible 40% of the equipment in Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospitals.
In 2021/22, we raised over $17.9 million for our hospitals, including gifts from over 5,400 donors. Since 1989, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation has raised more than $180 million to benefit our hospitals. Our community generously funded thousands of pieces of urgently needed medical equipment and special projects to help these hospitals provide care to all 860,000+ residents of Vancouver Island.
For more information, please call the Foundation at 250-519-1750, or visit victoriahf.ca.