Go Le Grand Défi is a 1-star rated charity. It is not financially transparent and has below average accountability to donors as seen in the D results reporting grade. For every dollar donated to this charity, 83 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending.

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 each of 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 1,000km event is an example of one of these events. The 1000km 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 ones lifestyles. 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 that allowed for the purchase of sports equipment at 428 elementary schools in Quebec. It has also provided funding to 5 organizations, 9 graduate students and 15 researchers to continue their projects. 

Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie reported donations of $3.3m in F2021. The charity also received $3.8m in government funding, representing 53% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 9% of revenues (excluding investment income) and fundraising costs are 8% of donations. For every dollar donated, 83 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Grand défi Pierre Lavoie has net funding reserves of $11.3m. Reserves can cover program costs for 2.3 years.

The charity grants money to the Fondation du Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, a related organization as its five directors sit on GDPL’s board. Ci did not consolidate as the foundation does not fund the operating charity.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 18, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.