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Donating to a community foundation or other charitable organization

If you intent to make a donation to a charitable organization, it's best to plan ahead. You'll have a hard time finding a charity that will refuse cash donations. But when it comes to assets, it's best to advise the organization beforehand to make sure they will be accepted.

What is a charitable organization?

Charitable organizations must be registered with the government to be authorized to issue tax receipts for donations. Charitable organizations can be:

• charities
• private foundations
• public foundations

Community foundations

Community foundations are public organizations that collect donations to support local charitable organizations. They are established by and for the community. Acting independently and under their own power, community foundations amass donations in the form of inalienable capital (called endowment funds) and distribute funds to recognized organizations according to the donor's instructions.