It's not too late for Holiday Giving!

Nous sommes désolés que ce bulletin est seulement disponible en anglais.  Nous travaillons fort pour offrir des bulletins en français en 2008. Merci de votre patience.

It's the height of giving season, and donors are giving online in record numbers - already, over 15,000 donations have come through CanadaHelps donation facility in December!

There are a lot of ways to give this season.  First, simply find your favourite charity on CanadaHelps and make an easy, online gift.  Or, make a gift of securities.  Buy a Give the Gift of Giving charity gift card for friends and family.  And now, you can choose your favourite cause on Facebook, and make a gift there too, powered by CanadaHelps.  Or build a Giving Page, and you can fundraise for your favourite causes.

Facebook Causes now supports Canadian Charities, working with CanadaHelps

Facebook, an online social networking tool, has become one of the most formidable means of spreading the word … and now it’s a new way for Canadian charities to raise funds!  CanadaHelps, in partnership with Project Agape – the creators of the Causes Application on Facebook – are providing users the ability to support Canadian causes and charities. The Causes Application is a tool that allows users to leverage their social networks to raise awareness and funds for their causes/charities of choice.  Until recently, users of this increasingly popular social networking site have only been able to donate to charities registered in the United States.

CanadaHelps is proud to be able to offer over 40 million Facebook users worldwide the ability to market their cause with ease, efficiency, and security.  The power of social networking and peer-to-peer marketing has great influence on awareness building, giving and volunteering, and both donors and charities can now take advantage of that in Canada.

Giving? Getting?  Read the CanadaHelps Blog

Keep up to date with what's going on at CanadaHelps, and what's happening generally in the world of philanthropy and charity.  Now you can read the CanadaHelps blog 'Give A Little' to see what's up as Owen Charters, our Executive Director provides his thoughts on giving and charity. Join the discussion on philanthropy, and about giving wisely and well.  Read 'Give A Little' at www.canadahelps.typepad.com.

Buy a Charity Gift Card, and you can truly Give the Gift of Giving

Have you completed your gift shopping this season? Having trouble think about what to get for that person who has everything? Are you running out of time? CanadaHelps has
the solution for you: CanadaHelps Gift Cards. They’re easy to buy and even easier to redeem. With almost 83,000 charities to choose from, recipients get to decide what matters the most to them … and you’ve just given the gift of giving. Be sure to check out our new designs for this holiday season!

Have appreciated securities, like BCE?  Donate them online!

In our last newsletter, we announced the ability for donors to donate securities online through CanadaHelps. With the elimination of capital gains on donations of publicly traded securities, this is by far the most tax efficient means of making a charitable donation. As the year end approaches and tax deductions are top of mind, remember CanadaHelps. For donors, it’s a simple process that can completed in minutes … and if you’ve got some BCE stock you’re not sure what to do with, be sure to remember that CanadaHelps can help you get those funds to your favourite charity.

Year-end Tips for Charities  

While it’s the busiest time of year for most charities, there’s no need to stop spreading the word about your great work; in fact, it’s the best time as most people give at this time of year. CanadaHelps offers these tips to get your message out the
door …

1. More and more families and friends are deciding to do something different  during the holiday season to make a difference in the lives of others. With so manyholiday parties on the calendar, why not ask your donor base to use CanadaHelps GivingPages to set up a means of giving back to your charity. Instead of host/hostess gifts, invite guests to donate online to you! For more information, visit www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages.

2. Give the Gift of Giving. Through your network there are undoubtedly many who are either stuck coming up with a good gift idea or who haven’t even started their shopping yet! Suggest the CanadaHelps Gift Card (and your charity as the recipient of
course!) as a great alternative to the traditional gift. It’s easy to buy and eveneasier to redeem,

3. Through your various materials, remind donors about the year-end tax season and the ease of giving online. Then be sure your donate now button is highly visible on your website!

Connect With CanadaHelps

CanadaHelps is the only online portal that provides access to all of Canada's 83,000 charities. From national organizations like national cancer charities to smaller groups like local animal shelters and soup kitchens, CanadaHelps reaches all Canadians who want to give and connects them with their charity of choice.

Help us keep you informed as we engage donors and enhance the fundraising potential for charities. Subscribe to the CanadaHelps newsletter and/or forward to a friend, colleague or charity whom you think would benefit from the knowledge and experiences CanadaHelps gains each month from both donors and charities.