Philanthropic Toolkit

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RESOURCES AND TOOLS FOR FUNDHOLDERS

Bookmark this page of resources. From options to contribute to your fund to the strategic considerations of grant making, use these tools to make impactful decisions that align with your philanthropic goals.

Take me to Donor Central

Make a Gift Today: Cash, Credit Card, EFTs, Wires and Securities

Gifts by credit card:

Use your credit card to make an online donation to a fund via it's web page. Search a list of our funds here. Please note our webpages are powered by our partner CanadaHelps and as such any gifts made are subject to processing fees.
Call in to provide your credit card details over the phone: 416. 921. 2035 Ext. 218

Gifts of cash:

Send a cheque or money order by mail to:

Toronto Foundation
Attention: Fundholder Engagement
33 Bloor Street East, Suite 1603
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3H1

Please include the name of the fund you wish to donate to in the memo section of your cheque.

Electronic transfer via wire or EFT:

Download this form onto your computer before completing.

In order to process your EFT or wire transfer correctly we require you to fill out this form and send it to info@torontofoundation.ca. If you require TF's banking information to set it up, please reach out to Nicole Nunes at nnunes@torontofoundation.ca.

Gifts of securities:

Download form (CAN & US)

Gifting securities is a cost-effective way to make a donation allowing you to maximize tax advantages to increase what you can give. They also enable you to plan outside of your current cash flow by donating non-cash assets. Other benefits of donating securities include:

No capital gains tax paid
Satisfaction of seeing your gift put to good use today
A charitable tax receipt

Completion of the above form is required to make an electronic gift of securities to a fund at Toronto Foundation. Please download this form before entering your information. Please print a copy for your records. For questions, please contact smuir@torontofoundation.ca.

Donations in lieu of gifts:

Many fundholders ask their friends and family to make donations to their fund in lieu of gifts for a birthday, anniversary, or other occasions.

For questions connect with Fundholder Engagement team.

Long-Term Gifts: Life Insurance, Registered Funds, Bequests

There are a number of ways to contribute to your fund beyond cash or writing a cheque. In fact a diverse charitable strategy enables you to make timely grants to support the urgent issues of today, while ensuring the longevity of your philanthropic reach and impact.

Life insurance: A gift of life insurance can be a significant future gift at a very affordable present cost. If your goal is to make a significant charitable contribution greater than what is possible right now, donating life insurance is a great way to leverage future tax benefits to make a larger gift than you thought possible. A few different situations are typical for donating life insurance:

You have an existing policy that you no longer need. Consider making Toronto Foundation the beneficiary of the policy for tax savings in your estate
Or you could transfer the ownership to Toronto Foundation. You will get income tax receipts for the remaining premium payments
If you have a paid up policy, you can donate it and possibly get a larger income tax receipt to use right now
You could purchase a new policy and make Toronto Foundation the owner and beneficiary and receive a tax receipt for your premium payments. The income tax refund you get will make the premiums cost much less!

Working with a life insurance broker can help you assess what policy is right for you taking into consideration your age, gender and general health. Each option has different tax consequences and may make sense at different stages of life.

RRSPs, RRIPs and TFSAs: You may donate all or a portion of your Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) or your Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). Tax receipts are provided for the amount donated. Certain government rules may apply. Please contact us to discuss this type of gift.

Leave a bequest: The simplest way to leave an estate gift is to make a bequest including specific language in your will or living trust naming Toronto Foundation as the recipient of a testamentary gift. Gifts can be cash, securities or personal property. You may contribute a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or the residual of your estate that remains after your loved ones are taken care of. Your estate will receive a charitable deduction for the full donation.

Learn more about legacy giving options at Toronto Foundation.

Make Grants

The most rewarding part of being a fundholder is making grants (donations) from your fund. The process is easy on Donor Central. Here are some key pieces of information to keep top of mind as a fundholder.

Annual ATG: Your annual Available to Grant is the amount of money you can donate from your fund each year. Your ATG is determined by Toronto Foundation annually and is made available following completion of our audit each fiscal year at the beginning of April.

Fund details: Details about your fund’s ATG, investment type, growth rate, and fees are determined by your fund type.

Fundholder Policies

Resources to inform your philanthropy

Below we've highlighted some key resources with tips on how to better align your interests and granting with the city's current needs.

Visit the Insights on Toronto section for a more extensive collection of research, data, perspectives from experts and those with lived experience, and to learn about donation-ready organizations and initiatives.

Tips on Equitable Granting

Giving guides and data tracking quality of life in Toronto's communities and recommendations on where to give - all to help you broaden your philanthropy.

Find them in the Research and Reports section.

Hands On Learning

Explore your philanthropic values and optimize a strategy to put your charitable goals in motion. Our learning events are also opportunities meet with fellow philanthropists and city builders.

Find upcoming fundholder events.

Our Philanthropic Checklist

We have tips and reminders to support your ongoing philanthropic learning, planning and action.

Read the checklist to help inform your giving.

My Philanthropic Checklist for toolkit carousel

Stories from the community

Read and watch content that spotlights the perspectives of leaders and experts working in Toronto's communities and those with lived experience.

Read stories on our blog.

Discover high-impact organizations in Toronto.

For more information, contact:

Nicole Nunes

Fundholder Engagement Officer

416-921-2035 ext. 218

nnunes@torontofoundation.ca

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We acknowledge we are on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. While Indigenous communities in Toronto remain strong, vibrant, and resilient, they need support to address and overcome the impact of colonialism and systemic inequalities. Furthering Indigenous reconciliation and sovereignty are integral to achieving a more fair and just society where everyone can thrive.

We aim to be an ally and to fund local Indigenous organizations.