Driving results

Finch Auto Group donation-match campaign raises more than $1 million for local charities

Photo: Ryan Finch, president of the Finch Auto Group

EVEN IN A challenging year, the donations came through in a big way for Finch Auto Group this year, with their inaugural ‘Finch Match My Donation’ campaign resulting in more than $1 million donated to various local charities this year.

The donation drive was launched this past September, with the Finch Auto Group pledging to match up to $50,000 in donations each month until the end of the year. The initial goal was to bring in $200,000 in donations, but the result far exceeded that: $850,000 in donations, with nearly 2,000 people taking part.

“London stepped up in a huge way and donated far more than we ever thought possible,” says Ryan Finch, president of Finch Auto Group. “That inspired us to dig deeper and match an additional $100,000 in donations.”

The total, all told, was $1,150,000, and that money will be spread out across more than 100 local causes, non-profits and charities around the region. For many charities, struggling through a depressed giving year, that could mean the difference between staying afloat and closing up shop.

“In a time when the global pandemic completely upended our fundraising efforts, this local campaign created a part of inspiration during an otherwise dark time,” said Jennifer Wyant of Growing Chefs! Ontario, who had lost a lot of money when their headquarters closed during the pandemic. “It motivated Londoners to come together, to stand up for, rally behind and financially support their favourite charities.”

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“Not only did it inspire thousands of donation match requests, but each submission was paired with uplifting messages and impactful stories that revealed the incredible work being done at the heart of our local charities,” adds Janine Langley of SARI Therapeutic Riding, one of the recipient organizations.

“We wanted to support our community in a way that was different from our typical efforts,” Finch continues. “This campaign is unique because we asked Londoners what local causes were important to them, and the response was overwhelming.”

The Finch Auto Group owns and operates eight dealerships, including six in London: Finch Hyundai, Genesis London, Finch Nissan and Mercedes-Benz London. Finch Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Finch Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC. Kieran Delamont