How You Can Help

Many wonderful members of the community support the work of The Cridge Centre for the Family. With their support, it is possible to provide far better services than otherwise would be possible. The Cridge Centre for the Family is a registered charity, and all donations are eligible for tax credit.

Here are a few examples of ways you can become a partner in making a difference in people's lives:

Unrestricted Gifts

A thoughtful unrestricted cash donation will be used at the discretion of The Cridge Centre for the Family for its highest priority. This is the most frequent (and flexible) type of financial support The Cridge Centre receives.

Tributes and Memorial Gifts

In times of loss or on the commemoration of an important life milestone, such as an anniversary or birthday, you or your family may request tribute or memorial donations be made to support the work of The Cridge Centre for the Family. Upon receipt of such gifts, we will send a charity receipt to the donor and an acknowledgement to the bereaved family or honouree recognizing the donor.

Matching Gifts

Family life is everyone's concern. More and more companies are actively encouraging their employees, past and present, to support family-oriented charities by offering an incentive to match their gifts to an eligible institution on a one-to-one basis, and in some instances on a two-to-one basis.

Check with your company's Human Resources Department to determine its matching guidelines.

In most cases companies require a form be filled out by the employee to accompany his or her gift. Upon receipt of your donation The Cridge Centre completes the form and returns it to the company. If the donation qualifies for a matching gift from your employer, a cheque is mailed to The Cridge Centre and the gift is applied to the same area as designated by your original donation.

Designated Gifts

If your heart is touched by one particular aspect of our work, you may wish to specify that your contribution be directed accordingly. We will be pleased to direct your gift in accordance with the terms of our Stewarship Policy.

Our Stewardship Policy states:

"Spending of funds is confined to programs and projects approved by The Cridge Centre for the Family. Each restricted contribution designated toward such an approved program or project will be used as designated with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met or cannot be completed for any reason determined by The Cridge Centre, the remaining restricted contributions will be used where needed most. Gifts are acknowledged and receipted with an official receipt for income tax purposes."

Building an Endowment

Funds are frequently donated to create an endowment (income which is intended to be used to support any priority established by The Cridge Centre or by the donor). There are four endowments in place at The Cridge Centre at the present time; a list of these is available upon request from the Manager of Communication and Fund Development at swhissell@cridge.org. To establish a new endowment, a gift of $10,000 or more is suggested.

Planned Gifts

A planned gift is any charitable gift that is made with planning and forethought about the benefits to the charity and the financial advantages to the donor. Some, but not all planned gifts are deferred; when the commitment is made now, but the funds are not available until some time in the future. Over the past few years, the Canadian government has introduced significant tax incentives for giving planned gifts. The donation limit for charitable tax credit has recently been increased from 75 per cent to 100 per cent of net income in the year of death - making a charitable will one of the only ways to reduce estate taxes.

Remembering The Cridge Centre for the Family in your will is one of the simplest ways to ensure your continued support of our work with families. A bequest may be used to assist areas most in need, may be directed to a service or program of your choice, or may be left as an endowment. A provisiuon in your will should be discussed with your lawyer, and when finalized, The Cridge Centre should be notified.

Other "planned gift" methods include the purchase of an annuity held by The Cridge Centre as the owner; or, notice of the establishment of a major irrevocable "charitable remainder" trust. The Manager of Communication and Fund Development would be pleased to explain the procedures by which any of these "planned gift" tools can be used.

Gifts in Kind

A "gift-in-kind" is the gift of tangible property that is of value to The Cridge Centre.

For gifts of value less than a certain amount, The Cridge Centre may issue an immediate charitable tax receipt for the donation's fair market value. For gifts of a greater value, special government appraisal guidelines must be followed. Gifts-in-kind to The Cridge Centre could include gifts of marketable securities, land, buildings, valuable artworks or vehicles.

How to Give

The methods of payment available to you are numerous! We are happy to receive your gift by cash, cheque, credit card or share transfer. Many donors prefer to spread their contribution over a period of time, either by post-dated cheque or credit card order. Numerous arrangements are available which allow you to take full advantage of your personal tax situation.

If you would like to make a donation, or just discuss the options, please feel free to email our Manager of Communication and Fund Development, Shannon Whissell at swhissell@cridge.org or call 250-995-6419.