Please contact us for more information about how to make a donation or click here to make a donation to The Rainbow Society of Alberta online.

How we raise the money to grant wishes

The Rainbow Society of Alberta is not government-funded at any level, so we rely on the generosity of others to help turn dreams into reality for the special children in our program. We do not receive funds from the United Way.

Our funds are raised through private donations. We organize several fundraising events throughout the year, and are fortunate to receive donations from many third-party events. All of the funds raised in Alberta, benefit Alberta children.

We adhere to Imagine Canada's Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code.

For more information on making donations to registered charities, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website. Related articles on the site explain how tax-receipting works. A summary of receipting guidelines can be found here.

There are many ways your dollars can support The Rainbow Society of Alberta

Your donation can be:

• Applied towards the sponsorship of a specific wish.
• Offered in memoriam and can be acknowledged if the name and address of the family member is provided.
• Applied to our annual fund which serves the greatest need.
• Applied to our endowment fund to provide an ongoing source for future wishes.
  Our endowment fund is held with The Calgary Foundation.
• A product or service in connection with a wish, or gifts in kind such as office supplies, equipment, paper, or envelopes.
• An item to be used in one of our many event auctions throughout the year. Detailed information regarding the issue of official income tax receipts can be viewed here.

There are many different ways to make a charitable donation. With a life insurance policy you can make a gift to The Rainbow Society and help yourself at the same time.

• Give an existing policy that you no longer need. You'll receive a tax credit, plus additional credits if premiums are still owing and you continue to pay them.
• Purchase a new policy in the name of The Rainbow Society. You'll receive a tax credit for each payment you make and assure a significant future gift to us.
• Make your once-in-a-lifetime gift to The Rainbow Society now, and invest your tax savings in a life insurance policy that will replace the asset for your heirs.

These are just a few strategies that make sense for the donor and of course would grant many wishes for Alberta children. To explore these or other planned giving ideas, contact your financial advisor or give The Rainbow Society a call.

An Investor Approach to Charitable Giving

A 2005 report, prepared for the TD Bank, offers strategies for people to develop a planned approach to charitable giving based on recognized financial planning strategies. The report notes that potential donors should take a long-term approach, and consider a wide range of donation possibilities, including direct charitable gives, estate planning for charitable donation, and the use of stocks and other assets for charitable giving.

» Download a PDF copy of the report

The Canadian 2006 federal budget eliminated tax on "in-kind" donations of securities, mutual funds and segregated funds to registered charities. This gives our supporters the opportunity to donate appreciated securities to us which will produce a tax receipt equal to the fair market value of the investment donated, while at the same time eliminating any capital gains tax otherwise payable.

Donations are tax deductible under the Canada Customs and Revenue Act.