Charity Solicitations
Required Disclosures
(Irrespective Of Nature Of Solicitation)
- Name / address of the charity making the solicitation
- Place of incorporation of the organization making the solicitation
- The charitable purpose for which the contributions will be used
- An estimate of the cost of the fund-raising
- Estimate as to total donations / contributions the organization is likely to receive
- Name / telephone numbers of a contact person who can respond to donor inquiries
- Name of any fund-raising business being used to solicit donations
- How the remuneration of the fund-raising business is determined
Doorstep
- Are you registered with the province and / or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)?
- If so, what are your registration numbers?
- Are you a volunteer or paid representative of the organization?
- Is your salary hourly paid, salary or commission?
- Who pays you?
- Have you got any ID?
By Phone
- Are you registered with the province and / or the CRA
- If so, what are your registration numbers?
- How did you get my number?
- Where are you calling from?
- Are you a volunteer or do you work for someone else?
By Mail
- Look for confirmation of registration status on any advisory literature
- Take time to fully establish status of organization and conduct further research before making a donation or contribution
- Clarify whether your donation will be used locally provincially or whether it will be absorbed in a national campaign
Special Events
- Inquire whether the beneficiary charity is registered with the province and / or CRA
- Are their provincial or CRA registration numbers provided?
- Is this event being conducted with their knowledge 'consent'?
- How much / what part of my fee / entry is tax deductible?
- How much of my ticket price / entry fee will actually go to the charity?
Chocolate Bars,
Coupon Books,
Other Third-Party
Fundraising
Initiatives
- Have you got the written approval of the charity to do this or to use their logo?
- How much of my entry / purchase cost(s) is actually going to the charity?
- How much do you personally get from each sale?
- What is the original or gross price of this product?
- Are you licensed to do this through the city or the province?
Always Be On Alert For
- Organizations that at first sight, look / sound the same as other established charities
- Splinter groups creating themselves as (unauthorized) chapters of established charities
- Organizations that are not formally incorporated, with no written constitution, no elected trustees or Board of Directors and no financial checks / balances
- Doorstep canvasses who are on 'quotas' or who pressurize you into donating before you have had a full opportunity to read / review any promotional literature or before you have had an opportunity to fully understand all the rules of play in any 'draw' or 'competition' you are being asked to enter.
