Beyond the Finish Line, Woodbine’s Community Impact
At Woodbine Entertainment, we’re committed to leveraging the power of horse racing to invest in community initiatives that contribute to building healthy places to play, work, live, learn and grow.
Woodbine Cares is one of our core values and encompasses our philanthropic initiatives, focused on the 3 following areas:
Initiatives that inspire and engage different segments of the population in the neighbourhoods where our properties reside, and in so doing, create a positive impact for those individuals and the community. Be it an innovative idea or a fundamental need, we want to know that it’s making a difference in people’s lives.
Initiatives that foster a love of equines and the value they bring to others. Whether it’s getting people to engage with horses, learn more about them or take care of them, we’re interested in supporting programs that show us the love! Available to organizations across Ontario.
These initiatives can vary in scope and scale so long as they contribute to creating a greener planet. Plant a garden, reduce waste, change out products for greener solutions, almost anything goes! The greater the impact on addressing climate change, the better.
Recognized as an Imagine Canada Caring Company since 1997, Woodbine Entertainment is a proud member of this national program that fosters excellence and leadership in corporate citizenship.
Caring companies donate at least 1% of pre-tax profits to supporting communities.
Woodbine Cares Foundation,
A Philanthropic Arm of Woodbine Entertainment
Through Woodbine Cares Foundation, we strive to be recognized as a caring and innovative corporate community builder, and so it follows that our mission is to build relationships and initiatives that contribute to healthy places to play, work, live, learn and grow.
Following three themes – Vibrant and Connected Communities, For the Love of Horses and the Environment & Sustainability – we work to fulfill that mission through various initiatives including, legacy donations to major community institutions; micro-grants through our Community Investment Program; supporting employee engagement opportunities that focus on volunteering and giving; and programs and activities that lead to a greener future.
Over the last decade, Woodbine Entertainment has given over $10 million in financial and in-kind contributions and since 1997, Woodbine has earned the designation of being an Imagine Canada Caring Company, where a minimum of 1% of our pre-tax profits is invested in communities.
Woodbine Cares Charitable Contributions
Over the last decade, Woodbine Entertainment has given over $10 million in financial and in-kind contributions and since 1997, Woodbine has earned the designation of being an Imagine Canada Caring Company, where a minimum of 1% of our pre-tax profits is invested in communities.
For more information on our program, contact us at woodbinecares@woodbine.com.
Ways we support.
Woodbine Cares Community Investment Program
Financial support in the form of micro-grants ($1,000 – $5,000) to local registered charities.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Woodbine Cares supports students scholarships and bursaries at the following schools:
Humber College
- Woodbine Entertainment Group Baking and Pastry Arts Practical Skills Award
- Woodbine Entertainment Group Culinary Practical Skills Award
- Woodbine Entertainment Group Award of Excellence, Police Foundations Program
York University
Wilfrid Laurier University
Who we support.
Arts Etobicoke
Artistic Exploration of Gathering Spaces in Woodbine Backstretch
Country Heritage Agricultural Society
Tackling food insecurity through fresh food bank and farming education
Campfire Circle
The gift of camp for a child affected by cancer
Community Association for Riders with Disabilities (CARD)
Therapeutic Horse Care
Comfort Bears
Comfort Bears Program
Community Living North Halton
Growing for Good Program
Diabetes Canada
D-Camps
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto
Volunteer Training Prog
Food4Kids Halton
Weekends Without Hunger
Halton Multicultural Council
Multiculturalism Day
Haven Toronto
Meals ProgramMeals ProgramMeals ProgramMeals ProgramMeals Program
Rexdale Community Hub
Summer of Joy Event
Tuff Therapeutic Riding Foundation
2SLGBTQ+ Summer Program
Pathways to Education
School Supplies Drive Rexdale
SEVA Food Bank
Covid-19Expansion of Food Bank
Sunrise Therapeutic & Riding Centre
Therapy Horse Jack
National Wildlife Centre
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Training Program
Trust 15
Youth Mental Health Support
Youth Without Shelter
Emergency Residential Program
Woodbine Cares
Community Corner at
Woodbine Mohawk Park
Looking for a venue to promote your cause? Collect donations? Sell merchandise as part of a fundraiser?
Woodbine Entertainment invites your organization to use our space!
Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Community Corner is a FREE space for community groups and organizations to share their mandate, promote campaigns and/or events and share the great work happening in the community to our Standardbred Racing guests.
The dedicated space in our grandstand is available Friday and Saturday nights from 5:30 – 10 p.m. Interested? Get started today!
– Open to all secular, non-politically based registered charities, non-profits, and organizations.
– Groups will be booked in accordance with availability and within Woodbine Entertainment’s policies.
Woodbine Cares
Community Investment Program
The Woodbine Cares Community Investment Program supports local community organizations working on initiatives that focus on either of the following three themes:
- Vibrant & Connected Communities,
- For the Love of Horses, or
- The Environment & Sustainability.
Financial support in the form of micro-grants ($1,000 – $5,000) to local registered charities.
Micro-grant applications are closed for the year. To stay informed on our next round of grants, submit your information here.
Charitable contributions and support do not extend to:
- Individuals
- Athletics, including individual and all-star sports teams
- Programs outside Ontario, Canada
- Fundraising events
- Organizations that discriminate by race, ability, creed, gender, age or national origin, etc.
- Advertising of any kind
- Underwriting of films, video and television productions
- Sectarian/religious activities and/or churches, synagogues and other places of worship
- Costs related infrastructure
- Conferences, trips, or tours
- Fraternal, veteran or labour groups serving only their members
- Membership fees or association fees, either personal or corporate
- Family Foundations
Eligibility:
All applicants to the Woodbine Cares Community Investment Program must:
- Be a charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Be located within the local surroundings of Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park.
- Demonstrate clearly how their initiative falls within our defined focus areas listed above.
- Provide evidence of strong fiscal management and governance practices. Audited statements will be required.
- Have submitted all final reports from previous years, if a previous recipient.