How You Can Benefit by Giving at Year-End

According to Imagine Canada, a national charitable organization which supports Canada’s charities, more than 60% of Canadians intend to donate to charity over the holidays.

A large portion of The Salvation Army’s fundraising occurs during its Christmas campaign and at the close of the calendar year. These donations set the precedent for the upcoming year and help us to continue to support vulnerable people across Canada.

“The Salvation Army relies heavily on, and is truly grateful for, the generosity of Canadians,” says Major Les Marshall, Territorial Secretary for Public Relations and Development. “Your assistance helps to ensure that we are a positive and effective influence in the 400 communities in which we serve. Together we can make lives easier and help get people back on their feet.”

As 2015 quickly comes to an end, now is a good time to consider making a year-end donation to charity. To encourage individual Canadians to give, there are tax benefits. In addition to helping someone in need, you will feel good about saving on taxes.

The Salvation Army provides several methods for making a donation.

General Donations: General donations are simple and direct. You can make an unrestricted donation to be used where the need is greatest, or designate your gift for a specific program. Credit card donations can be made online or through 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

Gifts of Securities: By donating a stock, bond or mutual fund directly to a charity, you avoid having to pay any capital gains taxes on their appreciated value. In addition to eliminating the capital gains tax, you also will receive a charitable tax receipt for the market value of the shares when received in the Army’s bank account.