Charity leaders and advocates provided an insight into the powerful role charitable gaming plays in supporting organizations across Ontario and beyond.

Richard Schwar, Executive Director of the OCGA, set the tone for the inspiring session centered on the difference that stable, long-term funding can make to charities of all sizes.

Postcode Lottery Group

The Postcode Lottery Group has been supporting communities since its first draw in the Netherlands in 1989 - and Ontario is next.

Judith Lingeman, International Affairs Director at Postcode Lottery Group, painted a compelling picture of what that could mean for communities across the province, outlining CPLF's philosophy of building lasting relationships with charitable partners and raising as much money as possible for good causes.

The Group's global reach was brought to life through the story of the UK-based Alzheimer's Society and its Blood Biomarker Challenge - a pioneering initiative developing blood tests for earlier and more accurate dementia diagnosis, with the aim of bringing these innovations into mainstream healthcare.

Small Grant Funding Impact

Closer to home, the session shone a light on several Ontario-based charities who have already received small grants of $5,000 from the Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation. Representatives from each organization shared their stories:

Armagh House supports women, children, and families affected by abuse and domestic violence, helping to positively change the trajectory of families' lives via a transitional housing program.
Timmins Porcupine Search & Rescue operates with around 45 volunteers, working alongside local police, ambulance services and the military with state-of-the-art equipment to carry out life-saving search and rescue operations.
StepStones for Youth supports vulnerable young people in and from foster care, a cause that resonated personally with their representative, Richard, who shared how his own life-changing firsthand experience with the organization shaped the path that led him to his career with them today.
Busby Centre provides shelter, drop-in centres and outreach services, medical support, and housing assistance to help individuals rebuild their lives.
Drouillard Place serves as a neighbourhood resource community centre, offering many programs including a food bank, youth programs, social work, and advocacy services.
Maison McCulloch Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care for residents and their families, going above and beyond to create meaningful, personalized experiences in their final days.

The reaction from grant recipients has been deeply moving, with Lynn Cassidy, Executive Director for OCGA, noting that some charity representatives were brought to tears of joy upon receiving their funding.

Looking Ahead

With more than €15 billion raised for charities globally since 1989, the Postcode Lottery Group's arrival in Ontario promises to be transformative for communities across the province.

You can watch the full session here:

Celebrating Charitable Gaming Impact

Ontario charities took centre stage at the seventh webinar hosted by the Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation (CPLF) and the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA), sharing powerful stories of how charitable gaming funding is transforming lives across the province.