Go le Grand Défi is a 1-star charity that is not financially transparent. It has an F Results Reporting grade, which is the lowest possible grade. For every dollar donated to the charity, 91 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci's reasonable range. Read Ci's report before donating. 

Founded in 2005, Go Le Grand Défi (Grand défi Pierre Lavoie, GDPL), works to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The charity hopes to promote a fitness movement and fight against obesity to prevent health concerns. In 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2005, Canadian triathlete Pierre Lavoie biked 650km in 24 hours to raise awareness for lactic acidosis, the genetic disease that two of his children died from. In 2005, Pierre broadened his focus from awareness of uncommon diseases to more generally promoting health. Since 2008, the charity has toured around Quebec to motivate young people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. The charity holds ten key events annually.

The 1,000 km event is an example of one of these events. The 1,000 km brings together nearly 1,000 cyclists for a 70-hour bike ride from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean to Montreal. This event is intended to be used as a platform to increase community awareness about the importance of changing one's lifestyle. All the profits generated from this event are donated to the Fondation du Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie to support medical research on orphan diseases and to fund projects aimed at adopting healthy lifestyle habits. This event has seen 143,277 participants who have cycled 2,773,813 kilometres. 

During the 11th edition of the Grand défi, the ten core events raised $3.4m, which allowed for the purchase of sports equipment at 428 elementary schools in Quebec. It has also provided funding to five organizations, nine graduate students, and 15 researchers to continue their projects. 

Go Le Grand Défi is not financially transparent. The charity did not send Ci its financial statements upon request. Ci received the charity’s financial statements from the CRA.

Go Le Grand Défi received $9.8m in donations and special events revenue in F2023. The charity also received $2.7m from the government, which is 20% of revenue. In F2023, GDPL spent $11.8m on its programs and grants, which is 84% of revenue. The charity recorded a surplus of $1.1m, which is 8% of revenue.

Administrative costs are 6% of revenue (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 3% of donations. For every dollar donated to the charity, 91 cents are available to go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range. The charity characterizes the costs of its fundraising events as program costs; however, it does not provide information on the benefits of this program spending. The cost to raise a dollar is likely larger than Ci's calculation.

Go Le Grand Défi has $15.3m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The charity’s reserves can cover 130% or one year and four months of its annual program costs.

In F2023, GDPL paid external fundraisers $322k to collect $3.4m. It costs ten cents to raise a dollar using external fundraisers.

This charity profile is an update that has been sent to Go Le Grand Défi for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 15, 2024 by Liam Chapleau.

Tel: 450-641-6669