Charitable Champions are people who show up when their community needs them most. They give their time generously — whether supporting local shelters, mentoring youth, assisting at food banks, or lending their skills to grassroots initiatives. Their steady, hands‑on commitment creates real, tangible change and strengthens the fabric of Durham Region.
Charitable Champions leave a lasting imprint on their community. Whether through ongoing financial contributions to many local causes, supporting a registered charity over many years, or helping fund programs that create long‑term change, their generosity strengthens the organizations and people around them. Their commitment builds a legacy that continues to benefit Durham Region well into the future.
These individuals don’t just participate — they inspire others to get involved. Through organizing events, coordinating volunteers, leading community programs, or advocating for important causes, they help elevate the impact of local organizations. Their leadership empowers neighbours, mobilizes action, and builds a stronger, more connected community.
Fill out the form below
Provide your basic contact information so we can reach you if we need to confirm details or if your nominee is selected.
Write your nomination story (250–500 words)
Tell us why this person is a Charitable Champion, including a story or example that shows their impact.
Submit your nomination
Once everything is complete, hit submit - we'll take it from there and contact your nominee directly for consent.
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“Durham Region’s Charitable Champion” is your opportunity to recognize someone who goes above and beyond in service to others — whether through volunteering, mentorship, community work, or charitable support.
Nominate someone who lives, works, or volunteers in Durham Region, and they could be selected as one of our 2026 Charitable Champions.
Three winners will receive a charitable donation made on their behalf to a registered Canadian charity of their choice:
🥇 $1,500 donation
🥈 $1,000 donation
🥉 $500 donation
Help us shine a spotlight on the people who make Durham Region stronger — one act of kindness at a time.
Debra Mattson is the Communications and Fund Development Manager at YWCA Durham, an agency that supports women and children impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over thirty years, and has been a community volunteer since she was a young teen. She has served as a board member, association president, and fund raising manager for various charities across the country.
LeeAnne Rorabeck is the Associate Director, Campaign & Major Gifts at the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, where she leads major gift strategy in support of the We Care, We Can campaign to redevelop Bowmanville Hospital. With over 17 years of experience in philanthropy, she has worked with leading healthcare and cultural institutions across Ontario. LeeAnne is passionate about connecting donors to meaningful opportunities that strengthen local communities. She is deeply committed to advancing access to care and supporting the long-term health of Durham Region.
Matt Chornaby is a community‑minded leader who loves bringing people together for great causes, great conversations, or a great meal. As a proud resident of Durham Region, he helps guide financial planning for more than 4,300 local families and is known for his enthusiasm and ability to make any room feel connected. Outside of work, Matt enjoys discovering local gems, cheering on friends and family, and finding new ways to give back. He believes the best impact comes from showing up, getting involved, and having a little fun along the way.
Marnie Smith is the Executive Director of BGC Durham (Boys and Girls Club of Durham), where she leads the organization’s work to support children, youth, and families across Durham Region. As a former Club kid herself, she knows first-hand the impact BGCs can have in shaping young lives and creating a sense of belonging. She is passionate about building strong, inclusive communities where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Alongside her incredible team, she works to strengthen programs, partnerships, and services that create lasting impact.
Melanie is an experienced marketing and communications professional with over two decades of proven success in driving brand growth through innovative strategies. Prior to her current focus on addressing food insecurity, Melanie served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for a national hospitality brand, where she led comprehensive marketing strategies and brand development initiatives. Driven by a commitment to social impact, Melanie transitioned into the non-profit sector to apply her expertise to addressing food insecurity. Her unique combination of experience and mission-driven passion positions her to create meaningful partnerships and drive transformational change in communities facing food access challenges.
Nathan Gardner is the Executive Director of North House, an agency committed to providing housing supports to residents of North Durham. Formerly the Executive Director of the Back Door Mission, Nathan has spent more than a decade advocating for the advancement of non-profit organizations and strengthening collaborative approaches to community support services across Ontario. He also serves as Chair of the North Durham Social Development Council, where he works alongside community partners to advance initiatives focused on housing, social development, and supports for vulnerable populations.
Anyone aged 16 or older who lives, works, or volunteers in Durham Region. IG employees and their immediate families are not eligible. Nominees aged 16–17 will require parental/guardian consent before any public recognition.
Anyone can nominate someone — you do not have to live in Durham Region yourself. You’ll provide your contact information, your nominee’s details, and a 250–500 word story highlighting their charitable impact.
A volunteer panel of local charity and community leaders will score nominations using this rubric:
Community Impact (40%)
Commitment to Volunteerism (30%)
Alignment with Charitable Values (20%)
Story Quality (10%)
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
Sponsor & Administrator
The “Durham Region’s Charitable Champion” nomination initiative (the “Contest”) is sponsored and administered by IG Wealth Management – Oshawa/Whitby Region (the “Sponsor”). This is a region‑run initiative supported by IG Wealth Management. Sponsor address: 481 Taunton Road West, Suite 300, Oshawa, L1H 7K4. Contact: matt.chornaby@ig.ca. This is not a national, corporate‑run contest.
Contest Period
The Contest begins at [12:00 a.m. ET on April 1, 2026] and ends at [11:59 p.m. ET on May 24, 2026] (the “Contest Period”). All nominations must be received within the Contest Period.
Eligibility (Nominators and Nominees)
a) Nominators: Open to individuals who are legal residents of Canada and have reached the age of majority in their province/territory of residence at the time of entry.
b) Nominees: Individuals who live, work, or volunteer in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario (“Durham Region”) and are age 16 or older at the time of nomination.
c) Exclusions: Employees, agents, and representatives of IG Wealth Management (including affiliated offices) and members of their immediate households are not eligible to be nominated.
d) Organizational Restrictions: Nominations that relate to religious or politically affiliated organizations or causes are not eligible.
e) Minors: Nominees aged 16–17 may be considered; however, no public recognition, publicity, or use of name, image, or likeness will occur unless and until verifiable parental/guardian consent is obtained in a form acceptable to the Sponsor.
f) The Sponsor reserves the right to determine eligibility in its sole discretion.
How to Enter (Third‑Party Nominations)
During the Contest Period, a nominator (“Nominator”) must complete the online nomination form at [Splash page URL] (the “Nomination Form”), providing:
• Nominator’s full name and contact information (email; phone optional).
• Nominee’s full name and contact information (email; phone optional) and city/town.
• Confirmation that the Nominee lives, works, or volunteers in Durham Region.
• A written submission (250–500 words) describing the Nominee’s charitable/community impact.
• A list of charitable or community organizations supported by the Nominee (must not include religious or politically affiliated entities).
• The registered Canadian charity the Nominee would choose to receive the donation if selected (name and, if available, CRA registration number).
• Required acknowledgements and consents indicated on the Nomination Form.
Limit: One (1) nomination per Nominator per Nominee. Submissions must be the Nominator’s original work and accurate to the best of their knowledge. The Sponsor may contact the Nominee to verify information and obtain consent. Nominations that are incomplete, inaccurate, illegible, or that otherwise do not comply with these Terms and Conditions may be disqualified.
Consent, Verification, and Publicity Releases
a) Nominee Contact & Consent: Nominees will be contacted by the Sponsor to confirm eligibility and participation and to obtain consent for administration and (if applicable) publicity. If a Nominee does not respond within [5 business days] or declines to provide required consent, the nomination may be disqualified at the Sponsor’s discretion.
b) Parental/Guardian Consent (for ages 16–17): Required for any public recognition or publicity and must be provided in a manner acceptable to the Sponsor.
c) Identity & Eligibility: The Sponsor may require documentation to verify age, residency, and other eligibility criteria at any time.
d) Release for Images and Likeness (Marketing Use): By accepting selection as a finalist or winner, and subject to consent (and parental consent, if applicable), the Nominee grants the Sponsor a royalty‑free, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable license to use their name, city/town, statements, story submission (in whole or in part), photographs, video, audio recordings, and likeness for promotional, advertising, and marketing purposes related to the Contest and the Sponsor’s charitable and community initiatives, in any media now known or hereafter developed, without further notice, review, approval, or compensation, except where prohibited by law. The Sponsor may request a separate publicity release form to be signed prior to any public announcement. Non‑winners will not be publicized without consent.
Judging & Selection of Winners
Eligible nominations will be reviewed by a judging panel comprised of local community and/or charitable sector representatives selected by the Sponsor (the “Panel”). The Panel will score eligible nominations using the following rubric:
• Community Impact – 40%
• Commitment to Volunteerism – 30%
• Alignment with Charitable Values (non‑religious, non‑political) – 20%
• Story Quality / Inspiration – 10%
The Panel will select three (3) winners ranked first, second, and third (collectively, the “Winners”). In the event of a tie, the Panel Chair (designated by the Sponsor) will apply a tiebreaker based on the highest score in “Community Impact”; if still tied, the Chair’s decision will be final. All decisions of the Sponsor and Panel are final and binding.
Prizes (Charitable Donations Only)
There are three (3) prizes available, each consisting of a charitable donation made by the Sponsor in the Winner’s name to one eligible charity of the Winner’s choosing, subject to verification and approval by the Sponsor:
• First Place: CAD $1,500 charitable donation
• Second Place: CAD $1,000 charitable donation
• Third Place: CAD $500 charitable donation
a) Charity Eligibility: Donations will be made only to charities that are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and that are not religious or politically affiliated. The Sponsor may require the charity’s legal name and CRA registration number and reserves the right to decline any proposed charity that does not meet these criteria or presents a conflict of interest or reputational risk.
b) Payment & Receipts: No cash or equivalent will be awarded to Winners. Donations will be paid directly by the Sponsor to the approved charity. Any charitable tax receipt will be issued to the Sponsor (or as determined by Sponsor policy), not to any individual.
c) Substitution: If a Winner’s proposed charity cannot be verified or approved within [10 business days], the Winner may propose an alternative eligible charity; failing that, the Sponsor may select a suitable eligible charity at its discretion.
d) Prizes must be accepted as awarded. The Sponsor may substitute a prize donation for one of equal or greater value if necessary.
Winner Notification & Announcement
Potential Winners will be notified by email or phone at the contact information provided. To be confirmed as a Winner, the Nominee must verify eligibility, agree to these Terms and Conditions, and (if applicable) sign and return any required publicity release (and parental/guardian release for minors). Subject to consent, Winners may be spotlighted on the Sponsor’s owned channels and marketing materials. Non‑winning nominees and stories will not be publicized without consent.
Conflicts of Interest & Panel Independence
Panelists will disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest (including but not limited to employment, board/volunteer service, or family relationships) with Nominees or proposed charities and will recuse themselves from scoring where appropriate. The Sponsor may replace or supplement Panelists to ensure fairness and integrity.
Content Standards and License for Submissions
By submitting a nomination, the Nominator represents and warrants that the submission is original, accurate to the best of their knowledge, does not infringe any third‑party rights, and does not include confidential or sensitive information. The Nominator grants the Sponsor a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free, worldwide license to use the nomination content for purposes of administering and evaluating the Contest, verifying eligibility, and (with relevant consents) for publicity or promotional use related to the Contest.
Privacy and Personal Information
Personal information collected in connection with the Contest will be used by the Sponsor for Contest administration, verification, consent management, contact, and (with explicit opt‑in) marketing communications. Information may be shared with Panelists and service providers strictly for Contest purposes and subject to confidentiality obligations. Data will be retained only as long as necessary for Contest administration and compliance. For more information on privacy practices, please refer to the Sponsor’s privacy policy at: [insert link]. Do not submit sensitive personal data in the nomination.
Disqualification
The Sponsor may disqualify any nomination or Winner for breach of these Terms and Conditions, ineligibility, failure to respond within required timelines, failure to obtain required consents, submission of inaccurate or misleading information, or any attempt to tamper with or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest.
General Conditions
a) The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify, or suspend the Contest (or any part of it) for any reason, including but not limited to fraud, technical failures, or any other factor beyond the Sponsor’s reasonable control that impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Contest.
b) The Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, incomplete, illegible, or misdirected entries; technical failures; or any injury or damage arising from participation.
c) To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Sponsor and its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents will not be liable for any claims, damages, or losses arising from participation in the Contest or from any prize donation.
d) These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement regarding the Contest and supersede any prior communications. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
Governing Law
The Contest is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario sitting in Toronto, Ontario.
Publication of Winners
Subject to consent, the Sponsor may announce Winners (name and city/town) and the approved charity at the Sponsor’s charitable giving event and/or on Sponsor’s owned channels after verification is complete. For a list of Winners available for 60 days after confirmation, contact Matt.Chornaby@ig.ca.
Language
In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the English version of these Terms and Conditions and any translated versions, the English version shall prevail.
Acceptance
Participation in the Contest constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and the decisions of the Sponsor and Panel, which are final and binding.
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Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams. Sab Pell is senior director of product marketing at Openform, where her goal is to help people unlock the power of in-person events. Prior to Openform, she led global product marketing teams.
