Donate

Thank you for supporting us with a donation – your gift to the Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation brings us one step closer. If you wish to donate by mail please download our CRAF Pledge Form.

We have more information about Ways of Giving below the form.

Ways of Giving

There are unique ways of planning your gift to Canadian Rheumatology Association Foundation (CRAF), some of which offer increased tax benefits. More than one type of gift combination may also work well for you. Here is a brief overview of some options.

Cash Gifts

Your contribution by credit card, cheque, or electronic fund transfer (for recurring/monthly giving only) will make an impact immediately for CRAF annual priorities and in return you will receive a consolidated charitable receipt which provides a tax credit that will reduce your federal and provincial income tax in the year you choose to make the claim.

If you are considering a cash donation and comparing the advantages between your personal and corporate accounts, we recommend you speak with your accountant or tax advisor to determine the best model from a tax optimization perspective.

Gifts of Stock and Securities

A gift of publicly traded stocks and securities are a tax savvy way to support CRAF. To qualify for the tax advantage, gifts of stock and securities must be e-transferred directly to the CRAF. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the stock at the time of the transfer of ownership, and not pay taxes on any capital gain.

Consider these two gifts of stock and security options, with one donation from an individual vs a corporate gift (scenarios available up request):

• An individual is considering a personal gift of publicly traded stocks to a registered Canadian charity.
  When you donate securities in-kind, you may benefit from the elimination of the capital gain accrued on the securities, plus the donation tax credit.
  
• A medical professional has decided to donate to a registered charity through their corporation.
  When a corporation makes a charitable donation to a registered charity, they are entitled to a tax deduction for the donation amount against their income. The deduction reduces the corporation’s taxable income, and as a result reduces their tax liability. In addition, if a private corporation donates publicly traded securities, there may be an additional tax incentive.

We recommend you consult with your accountant or financial advisor on what works best for your situation.

Planned Giving

There are several giving instruments that can be considered when contemplating a planned giving. They include:

Gifts of Insurance
Along with tax savings, the benefit of donating a life insurance policy includes the freedom to choose what type of policy and how much premium you pay. Your gift can’t be legally challenged because life insurance is considered separate from your other estate assets. Donating a life insurance policy isn’t subject to taxes, probate costs or estate debts, and you can make a substantial contribution through relatively small monthly or yearly payments.

Bequests
A bequest is a provision in your will of your commitment to the pursuit of excellence in arthritis and rheumatic disease care, education, and research. Your gift doesn’t impact your finances today but can potentially reduce your estate taxes while having a profound impact on the researchers and clinicians of tomorrow. Bequests can be gifts of cash, securities, or other assets that are part of CRAF’s gift acceptance policy.

There are a variety of bequest options:

• Specific Bequests
  A fixed dollar amount or specific asset
• Residual Bequests
  A specified percentage of your Estate
• Contingent Bequests
  Designate a bequest in the event of the death of any beneficiaries named in your will
• Testamentary Trusts
  Create a trust as part of your Estate plans. You can dictate the terms according to which your assets will be distributed, and support both your beneficiaries and CRA

Retirement Plan Assets
You can designate CRAF as a beneficiary of your qualified retirement plan, while benefiting from an effective tax solution.

Honorarium / Stipends

One exceptional way that CRA Board members can support the CRAF is by considering donating all or a portion of their honorariums/stipend. Here are two scenarios of how you might consider doing this.

• If you donate your honorarium/stipend and want a receipt, the amount you donate is still added to your income and you will receive a donation receipt.
• If you donate your honorarium/stipend and don’t want a receipt, the amount you donate will not be added to your income, but you won’t receive a donation receipt.

We recommend you consult with your accountant or financial advisor on what works best for your situation.