From the dollar sent to us by a school child to a large gift from a major donor, each and every donation supports our efforts to build homes with families in need in York Region and Bradford West Gwillimbury.
 
Because of the ReStore, we are proud that our cost of fundraising is ZERO. It means every dollar you donate goes directly to building homes!
 
Regular Giving
A monthly or quarterly pledge can help keep us building all year round. We can automatically deduct your pledge from a credit card, or bill you on a periodic basis. For more information about Habitat for Humanity York Region’s regular giving program, please contact us at 905-868-8722.

Celebration Gifts - Change the Present
As you plan gifts for family and friends this year, consider a celebration gift that keeps on giving long after the wedding, anniversary, birthday, graduation, holiday or other special event or memorial. Upon receipt of your contribution, a minimum gift of $20, we will send an acknowledgment card indicating that you have made a gift to Habitat for Humanity York Region in honor of, or in memory of, the person you are celebrating. Be sure to include the name and address of the person who will receive the card. If you would like to make a celebration gift via credit card, or need further information, contact us or call 905-868-8722.
 
Designate Your United Way Donation
Although Habitat for Humanity York Region does not receive grant support from United Way, you can direct your individual donation to Habitat for Humanity York Region. Please write in “Habitat for Humanity York Region” on the reverse side of the United Way pledge form. The United Way will forward your pledges to Habitat for Humanity York Region.
 
Matching Gifts - Double the Impact
Many companies offer a Matching Gifts program that enables their employees to substantially increase their gift to Habitat. Your personal gift will be matched by a gift from your company. To take advantage of this program, contact your Human Resource or Community Relations department.

Planned Giving - Leave a legacy of hope
You can help address housing needs in York Region now and in the future by remembering us in your will or making another type of planned gift.  If you believe in our mission to build affordable homes in York Region, a bequest ensures that this commitment continues beyond your lifetime. A bequest to Habitat for Humanity York Region could be the simplest and most valuable gift you make.
 
Through our planned giving options, Habitat for Humanity York Region can help you achieve your financial and philanthropic goals. And, by applying investment principles to charitable giving, Habitat for Humanity York Region can ensure that your dollars have the greatest impact in transforming the lives of those living in need.
 
Will
Consider these simple ways to benefit Habitat for Humanity York Region in your will:

If you would like to leave a legacy of hope to Habitat for Humanity York Region, discuss your options first with your financial planner, solicitor, or accountant to determine the best vehicle.
 
If you have already named Habitat for Humanity York  Region in your will, we invite you to contact us, so that we can thank you for your outstanding generosity and make our organizational and budgetary plans accordingly.

Life Insurance
When you donate a life insurance policy, you are providing a substantial future gift to Habitat for Humanity York Region. Your relatively small monthly payments towards a life insurance policy over several years can become a six-figure gift in the future! Life insurance can also provide an annual tax credit or a tax credit in the year of death. Your gift can be structured to provide the maximum tax relief, based on your particular circumstances.

Annuities
A charitable gift plus annuity is a financially prudent way to of fighting poverty housing while taking care of your own financial needs.
 
Securities
If you have been considering a gift of shares to Habitat for Humanity York Region (HFHYR), here's how it works.  Individuals who donate appreciated securities directly to HFHYR will pay no taxes on the capital gain.  In comparison, if the securities are sold and the cash is then donated to HFHYR, 50% of the capital gain is taxable.  This tax break makes gifts of appreciated securities one of the most cost-effective methods of supporting affordable housing for families in York Region.

The 2008 Federal Budget included an amendment to the new tax law, adding exchangeable shares to the list of securities that the tax treatment already applies to, which includes:

- Shares listed on most Canadian and certain foreign stock exchanges
- Prescribed debt obligations
- Shares of the capital stock of a Canadian public mutual fund corporation
- Units of widely held Canadian mutual fund trusts
- Interest in related segregated fund trusts

The benefits of donating a gift of securities to HFHYR are two-fold.  First, you will receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of the donation in the amount of the closing trading price on the day HFHYR receives the security.  Second, your donation is exempt from the capital gains tax that typically applies to the sale of a security.

To further demonstrate this process, we have provided a sample table below:

How to Get Started
Your securities can be transferred directly from your brokerage account to Habitat for Humanity York Region's (HFHYR) account.  You will receive an income tax receipt for the fair market value (FMV) of your donation.  The FMV is based on the market price on the day that the securities are received by HFHYR.  

How to Transfer the Securities
It is HFHYR's preference to make a donation of securities via electronic transfer.  This is generally more convenient for the donor and also provides a clean audit trail endorsed by the Canada Revenue Agency.

How to Proceed

1. Contact Katherine Alyea, Habitat for Humanity York Region - Let her know of your intent to make such a donation.

Katherine Alyea, CFRE
Director of Fund Development
Phone: 905-868-8722 extension 26
E-mail: katherine.alyea@habitatyork.ca

Please advise her of the following:
- The name, number and type (i.e. common or preferred) of securities you wish to donate;
- The approximate value of the securities;
- Any specified use for the donation;
- The name and contact information of your financial advisor or broker;
- Any other relevant information concerning your donation.

2. Contact your financial advisor or broker - You will generally need to provide them with written authorization stating your intent to transfer securities from your account to HFHYR's account.

You can download our forms and a sample letter of intent below. (Samples may also be available from your broker.)

Download your Sample Letter of Intent here.

Download your Gift of Securities Form here.

Copies of the form and letter should be faxed to:

John Exler, CFP, Investment Advisor and/or Debbie Warren, Associate
RBC Dominion Securities
17120 Leslie Street, Suite 200
Newmarket, ON L3Y 1K7

Phone: 905-895-2949
Fax: 905-895-8781
E-mail: john.exler@rbc.om

This will initiate a book base transfer the day of the fax, or whatever date is most suitable for you.  Again, the receipt  will be based on the value of the securities at the close of business on the day they are received by Habitat for Humanity York Region.  It is not necessary for your advisor to re-register the share certificates for gifting purposes - retain shares in book base form with the financial institution.

3. Completing the Transfer - Once the transfer is complete, HFHYR will deliver your official tax receipt, as well as our grateful thanks.

**Please note that the information provided on this Web site is general in nature.  We encourage you to contact and consult your own legal and financial counsel in the development of your own financial estate plans.



We accept gifts mentioned above in the following ways: