Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my donation goes to administrative costs?
While it varies slightly from year to year and by location, on average, local United Way Centraides across Canada spend 15 per cent of total revenue on fundraising and administration costs. We strive to keep those costs as low as possible, and to ensure the money going directly to community agencies and program funding is used efficiently and effectively.
What is United Way Centraide?
United Way Canada is known as “Centraide Canada” in Quebec, Ottawa and other French-Canadian communities. Recognizing the bilingual nature of Canada’s culture and language, our national office officially became known as “United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada” in 1976.
The more than 100 local United Way offices across Canada are also sometimes referred to as “centraides” (French for “aide centres”).
The national office, United Way Centraide Canada, has a distinct role to provide leadership, guidance and support to local United Way organizations across the country.
What area does United Way Alberta Northwest Serve?
The area we serve ranges north-south from the border of the Northwest Territories to Grande Cache, and east-west from Slave Lake to the border of B.C.
What does United Way Alberta Northwest Do?
We drive social change in three focus areas: poverty, kids, and communities. Since 1977, we have supported agencies that improve lives and build community in our area. Today, United Way invests in programs and collaborations that tackle root causes of social issues, connecting northwestern Albertans with opportunities to help them flourish.
Are United Ways across Canada one big organization?
Each of the 108 local offices are independent, and work with local volunteers to address local social issues and improve living conditions within their specific area.
How and when do I receive a charitable tax receipt for my donation?
Donors who give more than $20 online or using e-Pledge will automatically get emailed tax receipts. (Note: A tax receipt will not be issued for donations less than $20 unless you make a specific request.)
Monthly credit card withdrawals will be consolidated on one tax receipt. Donations will be totaled and a receipt will be issued by February 28.
Cash or cheque donations will receive paper or emailed tax receipts, depending on your preference. All tax receipts will be mailed by February 28.
Payroll donations do not receive a receipt, but appear in Box 46 on your T4.
PRIVACY POLICY
United Way is committed to protecting private information and maintaining the confidentiality of personal information under our control. In order to ensure the protection of this information, we have adopted the following ten privacy principles established by the Canadian Standards Association Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information.
Accountability – We are responsible for maintaining and protecting personal information under our control.
Identifying Purposes – When personal information is requested, we will identify the purposes for which it will be used at or before the time the information is collected.
Consent – An individual’s knowledge and consent will be obtained for the collection, use, or disclosure of his or her personal information, except where required by law.
Limiting Collection – We will limit the collection of all personal information to only what is necessary to meet the identified purposes.
Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention – We will use or disclose personal information only for the purposes in which consent has been provided, or as required by law. We will retain personal information only as long as is necessary to fulfil the identified purposes.
Accuracy – We will keep personal information as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is required to fulfil the identified purposes.
Safeguards – We will protect personal information by using security safeguards that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
Openness – Upon request, we will provide information about our policies and practices related to the management of personal information.
Individual Access – Upon request, we will provide individuals with information related to the existence, use, and disclosure of any of their personal information, and will provide access to this information under the conditions stated in our privacy policy.
Challenging Compliance – Any concerns relating to our privacy policies and practices can be directed to our office.
Note: “Personal Information” means information about an identifiable individual, but does not include business contact information (as per PIPA – Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act).
DONORS’ RIGHTS
1. All donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) are entitled to receive an official receipt for income tax purposes for the amount of the donation. Donors of non-monetary eligible gifts (or gifts-in-kind) are entitled to receive an official receipt that reflects the fair market value of the gift. (Note: “Eligible gifts” are defined in Revenue Canada Interpretation Bulletin IT-110R2 or its successor. Some common gifts, such as donations of volunteer time, services, food, inventory from a business, etc. are not eligible to receive official tax receipts). The charity’s governing board may establish a minimum amount of the automatic issuance of receipts, in which case smaller donations will be receipted only upon request.
2. All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of the charity will disclose the charity’s name and the purpose for which funds are requested. Printed solicitations (however transmitted) will also include its address or other contact information.
3. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to the following, promptly upon request:
a. the charity’s most recent annual report and financial statements as approved by the governing board;
b. the charity’s registration number (BN) as assigned by Revenue Canada;
c. any information contained in the public portion of the charity’s most recent Charity Information Return (form T3010) as submitted to Revenue Canada;
d. a list of the names of the members of the charity’s governing board; and
e. a copy of this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code.
4. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to know, upon request, whether an individual soliciting funds on behalf of the charity is a volunteer, an employee, or a hired solicitor.
5. Donors will be encouraged to seek independent advice if the charity has any reason to believe that a proposed gift might significantly affect the donor’s financial position, taxable income, or relationship with other family members.
6. Donors’ requests to remain anonymous will be respected.
7. The privacy of donors will be respected. Any donor records that are maintained by the charity will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.
8. If the charity exchanges, rents, or otherwise shares its fundraising list with other organization, a donor’s request to be excluded from the list will be honoured.
9. Donors and prospective donors will be treated with respect. Every effort will be made to honour their requests to:
a. limit the frequency of solicitations;
b. not be solicited by telephone or other technology;
c. receive printed material concerning the charity.
10. The charity will respond promptly to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter that is addressed in this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code. A designated staff member or volunteer will attempt to satisfy the complaint’s concerns in the first instance. A complainant who remains dissatisfied will be informed that he/she may appeal in writing to the charity’s governing board or its designate, and will be advised in writing of the disposition of the appeal. A complainant who is still dissatisfied will be informed that he/she may notify the Canadian Centre of Philanthropy in writing.