Читать книгу Living Me to We - Craig Kielburger - Страница 30

DAY

Money Matters

12:30 a.m.

Anyone can

be a Philanthropist

Stretch Your Pennies

THESE DAYS THE WORD “PHILANTHROPIST” is often associated with a Bill Gates billionaire-type bequeathing a mega fortune on multiple charitable causes. But in the dictionary the word still keeps its humble meaning: someone with a love for humanity. At Free The Children we meet philanthropists every day; oftentimes it’s a 12-year-old cradling a jar of hard-won pennies. Soon after, an all-call email gets sent out: “Hey team, who wants to roll pennies this lunch break?” In the non-profit world where a dollar can mean the difference between a child learning in a classroom or working in a field, every penny counts and must be counted! It’s time for us to take back the word “philanthropist.” With the help of a few tried-and-true tips to stretch those pennies further, we can all turn chump change into real change.It’s not always easy, of course, to be a savvy philanthropist. As headlines trumpet the next major disaster or highlight the latest charity scandal, it’s easy to fall into donor fatigue. Then we run the risk of shutting ourselves off from the real need out there. Following a few general rules can help. Before you donate, ask yourself whether an organization is offering systemic change or just a short-term solution. For instance, is it helping the roots of hunger or just filling bellies temporarily? Next, remember that just because you’ve heard a charity’s name doesn’t make it a reliable choice. Charities often get their name out there through advertising or canvassing campaigns that cost thousands or millions of dollars of money that could be helping a real cause. Finally, look for high-touch organizations that make it easy to talk with a real person about where your money is going and who the dollars are helping. There are many ways to ensure your money gets where you want it to go.

MAKE YOUR DOLLAR GO THE DISTANCEMake sure the charity is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (look for its charity number).A registered charity is not required to provide a donor with an official tax receipt so after providing your name and address, request one and save it for your records.Tax credit rates on charitable donations vary widely between provinces and territories, from Quebec’s 35 percent down to Nunavut’s 19 percent, combining both provincial and federal credits.Raise your donation to over $200 and your tax credit will get a substantial boost across Canada, although the percentage depends on the province.Thinking of making a will or bequest to benefit a cause? Get a lawyer to fill out the forms properly for you, make sure you check the charity’s registration number and include specific directions on how the money can be spent.Attach a note to your donation, specifying exactly who or what the money should help and how. A Canadian charity is under strict obligations to follow that request.Read the organization’s annual report, which should be clearly linked on its homepage. This helps clarify how every dollar is spent.

DAY

Money Matters

12:30 a.m.

ASK BEFORE YOU DONATE

Source: Imagine Canada, Free The Children.

GO TO PAGE 162 FOR MORE TIPS AND INFORMATION

59

Day | Living Me To We