FAQs
General Event Info
Général
What is Gutsy Walk?
Gutsy Walk, for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, is Canada’s largest community event committed to raising funds for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Since 1996, Canadians from coast to coast have raised over $52 million for research and patient programs.
Join us Sunday, June 2, 2024, for the 29th annual Gutsy Walk and show loved ones living with Crohn’s and colitis they are not alone by registering and walking individually or as a team. Together, we’ll share stories while raising funds and awareness.
How do I obtain event details on Gutsy Walk in my community?
Everything you need to know about your local Gutsy Walk is only a click away. Use the location pages to find a walk close to you and register for the event to receive updates.
What happens on the day of Gutsy Walk?
On the day of Gutsy Walk, June 2, registered participants, friends, and family will come together at locations across the country and walk to show their support for everyone impacted by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Every Gutsy Walk is unique. Walk routes are entirely up to you and can vary from place to place and person to person, but are typically 5 km. Each Gutsy Walk will also have a range of fun activities, some food, and plenty of washroom access, as well as more ways to help raise funds for the Crohn’s and colitis community.
What if it rains on event day?
Gutsy Walk takes place rain or shine! Check your local weather station on walk day and come prepared. Your local walk will only be cancelled if there are severe weather conditions, such as lightning. Keep an eye on your local Gutsy Walk page to see if there is a risk of cancellation due to weather conditions and be sure to register for the event to receive the most up-to-date communications.
Are dogs allowed at Gutsy Walk?
Each walk site has different permission levels set out by local municipal permit standards. For specific information on your walk site, please visit your local Gutsy Walk page.
Do I have to sign up to participate in Gutsy Walk?
Yes! From fundraising rewards, to exciting event details, it’s best if you sign up through the Gutsy Walk website to help us best plan for your Gutsy Walk experience. By registering online, you will also have access to great online fundraising tools that will help you and your team members raise funds easily to make even more of a difference.
What COVID-19 precautions are taken at in-person Gutsy Walk events?
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community as we continue in-person events, we developed a COVID-19 Safety Plan for all in-person walk locations. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada will continue to follow the recommendations from public health authorities to ensure proper precautions for our community.
Read the full COVID-19 Safety Plan developed for 2023, which will be updated to reflect the most current public health recommendations.
I don’t see an in-person event in my city, how can I participate in the Gutsy Walk?
Check out our
location page to sign up for your local provincial Personal Gutsy Walk. As a participant in a personal walk, you’ll receive additional information and resources to help create a great experience on walk day in your neighbourhood.
What if I sign up and I am unable to participate on June 2?
That’s okay! While we want everyone to walk with us on June 2, we know you’ll be there in spirit even if you’re not physically walking with us on walk day itself. As a registered participant, you’ll still be eligible to participate in fundraising contests and earn incentives, and most importantly, have a huge impact on the lives of Canadians affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Why did the fundraising amount to earn a t-shirt change to $150?
The minimum fundraising amount to be eligible for an exclusive Gutsy Walk t-shirt has been raised to $150 to help better cover the cost of the event. This amount reflects industry standards and ensures we can provide you with the best experience, while still having a lasting impact on people affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Registration
INSCRIPTION
Is there a sign-up fee?
No. It’s free to sign up for Gutsy Walk, however, as a fundraising event, all participants are encouraged to fundraise. If you raise $150 or more, you’ll even earn an exclusive Gutsy Walk 2024 t-shirt. Online fundraising is easy, safe, and secure. On average, Gutsy Walk participants who fundraise online raise 85% more!
Is there a deadline to sign up?
No. Participants are encouraged to sign up early to receive their pre-event details and to maximize fundraising using the online Participant Centre. The sooner you start fundraising, the more likely you are to raise more and have greater impact. You’ll also be eligible for exclusive contests!
How do I sign up for Gutsy Walk?
Visit our
registration page to go through the sign-up process. You can sign up as an individual, join an existing team or create a new team.
Have questions? Check out our
registration guide for step-by-step instructions on how to register!
How do I create my Gutsy Walk team?
Create a team online by signing up as a team. Have some fun: give your team a unique name or theme! Using the e-mail templates in the online Participant Centre, invite your family, friends, and co-workers to join your team.
What if I joined the wrong team by mistake? How can I switch teams?
E-mail us at gutsywalk@crohnsandcolitis.ca or call us at 1-800-387-1479 or 647-268-4121 and tell us your name, the walk location you registered for and the name of the team you would like to switch to. One of our friendly staff members will be able to switch you over.
I signed up as an individual by mistake and would instead like to join a team. What do I do?
E-mail us at gutsywalk@crohnsandcolitis.ca or call us at 1-800-387-1479 or 647-268-4121, and provide us with your name, the walk location you registered for and the team name you would like to join and we will be happy to make the change.
How do I sign up as a returning individual, team member or team captain?
If you are signing up as a returning participant, you will be prompted to login with your username and password during the registration process. At this point, you may either register as an individual, create a team, or join a team.
Please note that when registering as a returning participant, you may have access to your previous individual information from past years. However, past team information is not saved and must be newly created each year.
Can I create a fundraising page in memory of someone?
Yes. You can register and fundraise in memory of someone by using our new Tributee page option during the registration process.
What is a Personal Walk?
A Personal Gutsy Walk is a great way for people who do not attend an in-person walk to participate in the event. Personal participants can walk with their family, friends or co-workers in their neighbourhood and share their photos or videos to their social media accounts!
Teams
ÉQUIPES
How many people have to be on my team?
It takes a minimum of two to make a team. But the more people on your team, the more fun you'll have on walk day, and the more chances to make a bigger fundraising splash too! Recruit your family, friends and co-workers to join your team so you can make a greater impact towards the cause.
Fundraising
COLLECTE DE FONDS
Is there a minimum fundraising amount I have to raise?
Nope! But we encourage all participants to raise $150+ to qualify for a 2024 Gutsy Walk t-shirt. But why stop there? Commit to fundraising $1,000+ and become a Star Fundraiser! We’ll give you plenty of support along the way and you will receive VIP treatment when you become a member of this exclusive group. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Star Fundraiser.
How do I raise fundraise for Gutsy Walk?
For best results, sign up online. It’s simple, effective, and secure – use our Tools and Tips page for helpful info on how to ask for and receive donations. On average, participants who fundraise online raise 85% more than individuals exclusively raising funds offline.
What are the benefits of online fundraising?
• It’s easy, fast and cost-effective.
• You can ask people worldwide to support you at the click of a button.
• You can customize your personal fundraising page, share your story, and add photos and videos.
• Electronic tax receipts will automatically be issued for online donations $15 and above.
• You can track who has supported you, as well as your progress made towards your goal.
• You can login or link your personal fundraising page to your social media accounts.
• It’s cost-effective and a simple, secure way for you to maximize the impact of each dollar.
• It’s faster and cheaper for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada to process your online donations, meaning more of the money raised goes directly towards research and patient programs.
Is it safe to fundraise online?
Yes. The system uses the most current encryption tools to provide a safe and secure environment for participants and donors. All transactions and data are captured and stored in a secure environment. Industry standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption certificates are used. The online fundraising site displays the SSL Web Server Certificate seal that confirms the transaction is secure and encrypts all data.
Electronic tax receipts are secured with either a random 40-bit or 128-bit encryption code ensuring their authenticity while at the same time, meeting all government standards. While PDF tax receipts are sent via the online system and can be printed, they are tamper-proof.
All online transactions are conducted using the HTTPS protocol – the same standards used by most major financial institutions in their online banking applications.
What is required to set up my personal fundraising page?
Setting up your personal fundraising page is quick and easy and requires no technical skills. All you need to do is register online and sign into the Participant Centre. Upload your photos or videos and share your story to let people know why Gutsy Walk is important to you. Taking a moment to personalize your page can make a big difference and will help kick-start your fundraising success.
How do I add offline donations to my Participant Centre?
Offline donations include cash and cheques collected through in-person fundraising. See our detailed instructions on how to submit your cash donations via credit card or add cheque donations.
NOTE: The offline donation feature on your Participant Centre is for recording purposes only. To be eligible for tax receipting, and to have your fundraising count towards incentives, ALL offline donations not paid via credit card must be received by Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
When does online fundraising close?
You have up to June 30, 2024, to collect donations online and to submit offline donations to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada's office.
When and how do I submit my pledge form and offline donations?
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is currently updating the offline donation process for Gutsy Walk. More details will be shared shortly – be sure to register for the latest updates and start fundraising online.
What is a ‘Corporate Match Program’?
‘Corporate Match Programs’ are offered by many Canadian companies. Companies offering this program will match employees' charitable donation dollar for dollar, and some companies will also match dollars employees have fundraised or for their volunteer contribution. Use our search tool to see if your company offers a match.
How do I know if the company I work for offers a 'Corporate Match Program'?
Many Canadian companies offer a ‘Corporate Match Program’, encouraging employees to make philanthropic gifts to charities. If our search tool doesn’t bring your company up, you may want to ask someone in your human resources department, or if applicable, your corporate donations department.
Fundraising Prizing
PRIX POUR FONDS RECUEILLIS
How are fundraising rewards awarded?
Participants who raise more than $250 from the time they register to our fundraising deadline of June 30 are eligible to receive an e-gift card. Each year, more and more Gutsy Walk participants choose to maximize their contribution to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada by opting out of their e-gift card during the sign-up process. Additionally, all participants who register and raise $150 or more will be eligible to receive an exclusive Gutsy Walk 2024 t-shirt!
Participant rewards are awarded based on the combined total of online and offline donations submitted per participant up until the fundraising deadline of June 30, 2024. One reward is awarded per registered participant. Learn more about fundraising rewards and our new Star Fundraiser Program.
How long after Gutsy Walk will I receive my e-gift card?
Please allow 10-12 weeks following Gutsy Walk for all donations to be processed and your e-gift card to be sent to you.
Donations and Tax Receipts
DONS ET REÇUS AUX FINS DE L’IMPÔT
To whom should my donor make a cheque payable to?
Cheques can be made payable to: Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Why wasn't my credit card accepted?
Can I make a donation even though I will not be participating in Gutsy Walk?
Yes, anyone can make a Gutsy Walk donation by clicking the Donate button.
Why is it asking for my employer when I submit a donation?
Some employers will offer matching gifts when their employees make a charitable donation, meaning your donation can go twice as far. When you input your employer into the donation form, our system will check to see if they offer a match. Then we’ll send you a follow-up email with all the information about their matching gift program, with a link to their matching gift form. This matching donation will also go towards the personal fundraising goal of the person you’re donating to.
If you are uncomfortable with sharing this information, you don’t have to. This field is optional. If you want to check to see if your employer offers a matching gift program, please visit our
Employer Matching Gifts page.
When will Crohn’s and Colitis Canada issue tax receipts for Gutsy Walk donations?
Donors who pledge $15+ online will receive an electronic tax receipt by e-mail within minutes of completing a successful transaction. A thank-you note is also automatically generated for all donations. Receipts for offline donations will be sent 10-12 weeks following the Gutsy Walk.
I lost my tax receipt, how do I get another copy?
Volunteer
BÉNÉVOLAT
How do I volunteer?
Our volunteers are the backbone of Gutsy Walk and have been making it happen every year since 1996! Volunteer by yourself, with friends and family or coworkers. Sign up to volunteer today!
What do volunteers do at Gutsy Walk?
We have a wide range of Gutsy Walk volunteer opportunities available. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about volunteering for Gutsy Walk.
Privacy
CONFIDENTIALITÉ
Can my personal and/or team fundraising page be viewed by the public?
Yes. Team and individual fundraising pages are automatically public, unless you indicate you would like your page as private during the registration process. However, as a participant, you also have the option to turn on and off the public search feature after you register within the Participant Centre.
Can people donate anonymously?
Yes. Donors have the option of keeping their name and/or their donation amount anonymous when donating online.
Note: A donor's identity will still be passed on to the participant and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada for processing reasons.
What if I forgot my online password or username?
What is your privacy policy?