(Re)Building A Better World for All through Philanthropy

Reflecting on the Past Week: George Floyd and the Tireless Ongoing Efforts in the COVID-19 Fight

For the last 30 years, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know so many of you. While we share a common interest in philanthropy to build better health care, education, social services, culture, art, recreation, just to name a few; I believe what we really share is a common interest in building a better future.

For George Floyd a better future was stolen. For the millions he represents, a better future feels constantly under attack.

This past week has played over and over in my mind the sacrifices of front line health care workers, the public service and those in retail and food service over the past three months in tending to the needs of those suffering or social distancing from COVID-19.  This week was also marked by individuals who have risen in solidarity to voice their concerns about justice, equality and prejudice.  I was touched in particular seeing police officers, joining in the marches and taking a knee.  The images are moving, poignant and unfortunate that a life was taken too early and under unjust circumstances.

Philanthropy has always been a cornerstone of positive change in our communities.  

At FUNDING matters inc. our mission is To Help Not for Profit Organizations Build A Better World (for All) Through Philanthropy 

This past week our mission has been playing over and over in my mind.

“For all.” Not for the few. Not just for the privileged, like me.

In ways big or small, we can and must make a difference. As a member of our philanthropy community, you are an influencer. Your influence may be over one or it may be of thousands, but we must all do our part.

We must commit to giving a voice to the voiceless, to investing in our communities and building tools that empower the powerless, to lending our resources to the oppressed, to standing up for our neighbors, to creating real opportunity for all.  We must all become better at listening, learning and changing for the better.

As you go about your week check in with your friends and colleagues. Be an ally. Ask how to help. Take the initiative to have uncomfortable conversations. Listen.

If you have ideas for what we can do, hit reply and let me know.

It is moments like these that define who we are as individuals and who we are as a collective.

I implore you to lean in and join us in the commitment to building a better future for all.


Stay calm, stay safe and be well.

Show Your Philanthropic Power. Find Out More.

We’re Leaving “Leave A Legacy” Month – but  don’t Leave Your Legacy Unfinished

Leave a Legacy

Consider touching base with your donors, friends and community during the COVID-19 Leave A Legacy Month, and introduce philanthropy as part of good estate planning.

Since majority of adult Canadians do not have a current will, and for those with a current will, only 4 to 7% have a bequest for charity. 

Even though we’re at the end of Leave A Legacy Month, this is an opportunity to engage in discussions with your friends, supporters and community that may help your charity and your donors with their estate planning.

At the bottom of the message is a link to Giftabulator, a giving calculator can benefit the following groups: 1) your individual donor and their families; 2) the individual’s advisors (tax planner, financial advisor and legal advisor); 3) your organization and its leadership team because it can illustrate the best ways to give from assets that are highly taxable. 

It’s never too late to Leave Your Legacy and make you mark on society.

Keep safe and be well!

Try Our Giving Calculator

Is it time to Jump Start the
Not-for-Profit Sector with a Stimulus Plan?

Providing an Economic Stimulus for Charities in the time of COVID-19 is needed now!

Canada is made up of caring, compassionate and generous citizens. The charitable organizations across the country are the backbone of our civic society creating hope, fellowship demonstrating kindness that is seen each and everyday for our citizens. These same charities have been called upon through the pandemic to provide daily support to our communities, to the most vulnerable, the under-housed, the hungry and the elderly who are sheltered to name a few.

From health and education, to social services and culture, the not-for-profit and charitable sector plays an important role in Canadian life. There are over 170,000 registered charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada that provide a range of services. Most of these organizations have closed their doors during the pandemic while trying to provide support remotely. When they open for business the impact of COVID-19 will be felt from the primary source of their revenues, donations.

Federal Funding for Artists Announced

The federal government has announced funding for various artists, cultural groups and sports programs. This is an important step, but may not be enough for many of these individuals and organizations.

Problem: Without the support of donors charities suffer

Community not-for-profits received approximately 37.2% of their income from Canadian households and non-governmental institutions, followed by 30% from various levels of government, 27% from sales of goods and services and 4.2% from investments. These same organizations have closed their doors for the past eight weeks and when they open, will have the same expenses without the benefit of the revenues they anticipated in their budgeting.

Solution: COVID-19 Super Tax Credit to Jump Start Giving

One consideration might be a super tax credit. The benefit of a COVID-19 tax credit whereby the donor receives a tax credit for the full amount of the donation providing the donation is made directly to a not-for-profit organization’s sustainability or recovery fund. The COVID-19 Tax Credit will benefit the donor who will receive a full tax credit on their donation; it will benefit the charity who will receive much needed funding for their operations and programming to get off to a good start when their doors open; finally, the government benefits by reducing financial dependence on additional government bailout funding.

Only registered charities can be eligible for donations to the COVID-19 Tax Credit. Donor Advised Funds (DAF), private foundations and non registered charities cannot be eligible for the COVID-19, since the funding is dedicated to helping charities get a leg up on restarting their operations.

In times like these, all Canadians are reaching back and trying to make a difference. A vehicle which will benefit our not-for-profit organizations, will be the foundation in getting off to a good start once we’re back to some sense of normalization.

If you think this is a good idea, please share with your Member of Parliament, your board and other interested parties.

Find Out The Best Ways to Give

A Special Recipe for Mother’s Day 💐

One of the special days of the year that can’t be forgotten is a tribute to the wonderful women in our lives.

Mother’s Day celebrates those who gave us life, love, guidance, and encouragement each day of our lives.  These women are seen today as front line during one of the most devastating periods in our history.  They are front line health care workers, community supporters, they are the face of retail and the home-schooling monitors.

We know the names of these amazing people as great-grandmother, grandmother, mom, aunt, godmother, sister and friend.

Find a special way to celebrate this important day on the calendar! Perhaps by ordering a Mother’s Day dinner for takeout and delivery from a restaurant that is special to her. Pair with a nice tea light for ambiance and a playlist of her favourite music.  Just imagine the women who are working on Mother’s Day to make these meals, you will be giving them encouragement that their jobs are vital and your order will help them and their restaurants stay viable.

If you can’t celebrate with your mom, think of someone who would appreciate this special gesture.

Finally, a donation in your mom’s name to her favourite cause will bring hope for someone who deserves it.

Be well, stay safe and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

See The Best Ways to Give

when Cinco de Mayo falls on a Taco #GivingTuesday….

good things happen!

Cinco de Mayo celebrations across North America will be a little different this year, with many of us having a margarita (or two) inside our own homes.

A very, very brief Cinco de Mayo history

The Battle of Puebla took place on May 5 1862, near Puebla City during the Second French Intervention in Mexico. The battle ended in a victory for the Mexican Army over the French Army.

Celebratory Cinco de Mayo beverage

Tequila is king during this celebration, and with spring in full swing, the best Cinco de Mayo drinks are fun and breezy. Margaritas, Palomas and other refreshing cocktails will get you going throughout the entire day and will elevate the victory at the Battle of Puebla.

Another Battle is Underway which Needs Your Support

Although this is important to recognize, the battle we are waging against the Corona Virus of COVID-19 is ongoing. Your communities need your support more than ever to help provide health and safety gear for front line workers in hopsitals, Long Term Care and assisted living facilities as well as the many outreach and community organizations who are working with the most vulnerable.

Take a moment to think about how you can make a difference. One way is to find organizations who may need your time as a volunteer. The other way is to give financial support to these organizations. There are many ways to give, please take a moment to see for yourself the best ways to give.

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo responsibly!

How You Can Make a Difference

🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭 = 6 ft

Keep 12 Hot Dogs Apart for National BBQ Month

Have you had enough of staying inside? Now with the nice weather on its way, what better way to practice social distancing than bringing your BBQ from your backyard to your driveway.

Give your neighbours a big wave. Remember, you might ask yourself “Who is that stranger standing across the street from me? I don’t recognize them.” If you haven’t seen them for a month or two, they may be sporting a beard, longer hair, different coloured hair, a funny haircut.  Be kind. 

This might be a good time to think about how fortunate you and they are being healthy, with good food to eat and surrounded by people who care.

Take this time as well to think about how you might make someone who needs a caring friend, good health and an enjoyable meal.

Think about making a donation to an organization in your community that is providing outreach to those in need, or raising funds for personal protection equipment or a meal.

To find out more about how to maximize your donation click the button below, there are many less fortunate who would like to be celebrating national BBQ month with a tasty Oscar Mayer Wiener.  Have I got you humming the Oscar Mayer song?

Be well and Keep safe and don’t be a hot dog during COVID-19!

If you want to connect, drop me a line.

Best Way to Give

Has Coronavirus sparked an unprecedented level of philanthropy?

Donors can make the greatest difference by supporting medical needs in Canada and internationally as well as by supporting organizations that are serving vulnerable populations who will be most affected by the virus’ spread and the associated economic impact.  

But all nonprofits you care about will need your financial support in this time; sustaining your support at your usual levels or increasing it will help these organizations get through the crisis and continue their important work. A variety of tools are available to help individuals understand the best ways to give and can be found at the bottom of this article.

Times like these create opportunities for individuals to become philanthropists.  Understanding the organizations that are either in your community or around the world making a difference at this critical time requires all of our support.  Reach out to friends or organizations who are making a difference by offering your resources in the form of time, funding or connections.

Additionally, donors can support a variety of organizations that exist to serve the nonprofit community with resources, such as providing marketing or fundraising support, leadership training and more. Nonprofits need their committed supporters in these times.

For More information on how you can help, feel free to contact me! 

“By early March, it was reported that philanthropic giving to combat the coronavirus has reached unprecedented levels, already topping US$1 billion (£816 million) across the world. This is a huge amount compared to the sums donated in response to other catastrophes, including Ebola (US$362 million) and Hurricane Harvey (US$341 million). But then the scale of this crisis is so much larger than anything else we have seen before.”

See How Your Contributions Can Make a Difference

Find Out Ways You Can Make a Positive Impact In Your Community

(from the comfort and safety of your own home)

As we hear in the news each day, COVID-19 is creating new needs, while putting enormous financial pressure on all not-for-profits.

From medical and public health needs related to the response to economic uncertainty impacting vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unmet needs above and beyond the usual.

The not-for-profits working directly to meet those needs require more resources to do so. Not-for-profits are feeling the pressure, even if they aren’t directly responding to the crisis. The economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic may cause many donors to currently reduce their giving.

Many not-for-profits are also having to cancel many of their usual programs and fundraising events out of concern for public safety. Most not-for-profits have limited financial reserves to carry them through lean times ahead, putting them in a difficult spot.

Since the start of this, nonprofits have had to make adjustments to their business format fast. Many of these steps that these not-for-profits have been taking is aiming to find ways to do their business remotely and virtually. This goes for meetings, events, keeping up the communication in their communities, and meeting with donors through apps like, Giftabulator.

Giftabulator easily allows you to connect with your community, providing the tools which allow them the opportunity to see the “Best Ways To Give” and support your mission in any way they can.

If you are in a financial position to do so, you should consider making a donation to directly help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve put together Giftabulator as an online cloud based app to make a difference during this crisis.

CLICK HERE For The Best Ways To Give

Should I Create or Update My Will?
Asking for a friend… 😅😳

Prince unexpectedly died at age 57, without a will. Sonny Bono skied into a tree and died instantly leaving his affairs unsettled, no will. Aretha Franklin knew that her pancreatic tumour would impact her long-term health outcomes and still died without making her final arrangements for her estate.

Over 60% of Canadians over the age of 50 do not have a current estate plan and of those with a current estate plan only 4% have a provision for a charitable bequest.

The CTV article states “Canadians concerned about the personal ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are rushing to update their will and sign power of attorney documents, an important step for millions who have no such plans in place”.

Willful, a Toronto-based company whose online platform allows you to create a will in as little as 20 minutes, has seen its sales and website traffic double since March 16, when the spread of the novel coronavirus picked up in Canada.

Without proper estate planning, you will have less say in how your estate is disbursed. More money is directed to government revenue agencies like the IRS or CRA, each year from taxable capital gains then is donated to charity.

FUNDING matters Inc. developed GiftabulatorNOW as an easily to use illustration in how individuals can maximize their estates to their heirs and leave a meaningful impact for charities.

Solution: Professional advisors along with not for profit partners can help shape their clients’ legacy for their families and their communities. GiftabulatorNOW allows you to engage in meaningful discussions while practicing “social distancing”.

Keep a safe distance and be well!

Click Here To See How You And Your Advisor Can Calculate The Best Ways To Give

Timely new Living Will App, can bring more
Planned Gifts as a part of good Estate Planning

Jocelyn Downie, a professor at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law, started developing the app with the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia last year.

But Downie says the app is more important than ever.

“We weren’t anticipating this pandemic at all,” Downey told CBC’s Information Morning on Friday. “It is just incredibly fortuitous that we have it ready now.”

A living will, or personal directive, is a legal document that helps family members and health-care providers make decisions when a person is left incompetent from injury or illness.

Giftabulator allows individuals to see how their estate can be allocated to their heirs, charity and taxation. The “Give Later” feature looks at the value of the estate based on the cost basis, indicating an approximation of how much of the estate would be directed to taxation and how much would be left to the heirs.

Giftabulator’s “Give Later” is an ideal planned giving illustration tool, which allows the individual to allocate either a specific amount like $50,000 to charity in their estate and show how the donation reduces their tax.

As well, Giftabulator can illustrate a percentage of the estate being left to charity and how the overall tax is reduced without having a significant impact on the heirs. The donor can easily calculate a 10% donation and how that impacts their heirs and reduces their tax.

Finally, a really cool feature in the Giftabulator calculation illustrates how much an individual could donate to get to tax zero (yes, $0) and how much their heirs will potentially receive.

We thought it might be helpful as a walk through Giftabulator and developed a unique chatbot called Phil (short for Philanthropy).

I would love to hear from you and what you and your donors think.

Thanks,

Be safe, be well!

Click here for a free trial of GiftabulatorNOW

Read Jocelyn Downie’s full story here