Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum donation required in order to receive a tax receipt?
A: Donations of $10 or more are eligible to receive tax receipts.
Q: What is the minimum age to participate in the Polar Plunge?
A: If you are plunging at one of the in-person events, the minimum age is 14. If you are participating virtually and are under 14, you are required to have both permission and participation from a parent/guardian.
Q: Where do Polar Plunge funds go?
A: Funds raised through the Polar Plunge go towards supporting programs for the more than 26,000 Special Olympics athletes in Ontario. For more info on why we plunge, visit https://polarplunge.ca/why-we-plunge/. In addition, registered athletes or volunteers that raise money for the Polar Plunge will have 75% of the funds raised transferred directly to their community.
Q: Do all Polar Plunge funds raised stay in my community?
A: All registered athletes/volunteers will have 75% of their funds raised transferred back to their club/community – please note that you will need to identify as a registered athlete or volunteer during your Polar Plunge registration and identify your community.
Q: When will the funds be transferred to each community?
A: Funds raised will be transferred to communities following the completion of the Polar Plunge, with the transfer currently expected to happen in April.
Q: Can I plunge on behalf of an athlete or volunteer in order to have the funds transferred to their community?
A: Anyone is able to register and participate in the plunge. However, only funds raised by a registered athlete/volunteer will be eligible to be transferred to their community.
Q: I am a police officer who volunteers for the Torch Run, will funds stay in my community?
A: All funds raised through Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run events are directed into program support that directly affects all community Special Olympics Ontario (SOO) programs. It’s important to have one provincial fundraiser that helps SOO create an “equitable” playing field. At SOO, small programs, large programs, big cities and small communities are treated with the same level of importance, and all rely on the support of LETR events.