Reflecting on 2023: A Thank You Letter

Dear Fast and Female Supporters and Community Members,

Another year has come and gone – and another year filled with empowerment and greatness! As we count down the final hours of 2023, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve embarked upon together in our shared mission to empower girls through sport, physical activity, and education. The past twelve months have been filled with achievements, growth, and, most importantly, the positive impact we’ve collectively made on the lives of young girls across our nation. This includes:

• Increasing our participant numbers by 262% from 2022 – reaching just over 3550 girls across Canada AND beyond (we had a participant join a virtual program from Switzerland!).
• Hosting 33 events and programs, in person and virtually, reaching participants across Canada! This included three multi-week programs, a historic return to Ottawa to work with OSEG Foundation for a 700 girl event, and a new partnership and collaboration with Girl Guides of Canada for a month-long virtual event, the Great Cookie Trek, which engaged over 1600 guiders in Ontario and Nunavut! That’s 120% increase in our program opportunities. You can check out our top 10 moments of 2023 here.
• New and returning relationships with incredible partners, sponsors and grantors, including Rocky Mountain Soap Co., Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, Canadian Women & Sport | Femmes et sport au Canada, Silver Gummy Foundation, Jays Care Foundation, Athleta, Girls and Women in Motion: Built to Move, MLSE LaunchPad, and SO. MANY. MORE. Thank you to all the incredible colleagues and friends who trusted us and aligned with our vision and mission to work together this year.

It is with immense gratitude and a heart full of appreciation that I extend my sincere thanks to each one of you who has supported Fast and Female. Your belief, passion, commitment, and generosity have been the driving force behind our success, allowing us to reach new heights and make meaningful strides toward our mission.

Throughout the year, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sport and education in the lives of our participants. From breaking down barriers to fostering confidence and leadership skills, your support has enabled us to create opportunities that empower them to thrive and excel in all aspects of their lives. Our achievements this year are a testament to the strength of our community. Whether it was through our events and programs, fundraising, volunteer efforts, or simply spreading the word about our cause, each of you has played a crucial role in building a brighter future for the girls we serve.

As we look ahead to the coming year, our commitment to empowering girls remains. We have ambitious plans to expand our programs, reach more communities, and deepen our impact. We’ve shared aspects of our 2023-2027 strategic plan and we can’t wait to provide you with more updates and opportunities to work alongside us. With your continued support, we are confident that we can make an even greater difference in girls’ lives across our nation.

On behalf of the entire Fast and Female team, I want to express our deepest appreciation for your belief in our mission. Your support has been the driving force behind every success we’ve achieved, and we are truly grateful to have you as a valued member of our community.

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with hope, happiness, and continued success!

Yours in Sport,

Gabriela Estrada, Executive Director