The Great Charity Challenge held at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on February 5, supported Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Clubs. The event raised $30,000 for the Wellington Club after the randomly selected equestrian team competing for the Club finished 17th during the competition.

The Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments was created in 2009 for the purpose of assisting not-for-profit organizations located in and serving Palm Beach County, Fla. Through the support of the equestrian industry and the local community, the GCC has acted as a catalyst for charitable giving over the last 13 years, distributing $17 million to Palm Beach County nonprofit organizations.

One hundred percent of the money raised gets distributed to local non-profits every year, with first-place receiving a minimum of $100,000 and all participating charities being guaranteed a minimum amount of $15,000. This year $1.7 million was distributed to the nearly three dozen charities participating in the event.

In addition, to fund disbursements, the event’s strategy involves capacity building, enabling invaluable partnerships, as well as concentrating on amplifying the event’s impact.