YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE

This past year has been an exceptionally challenging one for many people. Although it has seen new opportunities appear for some, it has been fraught with obstacles for others. And the upcoming holiday season will be no less difficult for families who are already struggling to make ends meet. The pandemic has exacerbated household poverty to the point that one out of three Canadian children lives in a situation of food insecurity. Which is why a donation to Breakfast Club of Canada can make a real difference — now more than ever. Give children the gift of a nutritious morning meal in an environment that puts a smile on their face, boosts their self-confidence and provides them with the energy they need to achieve their potential all day long.

“By giving to Breakfast Club of Canada, you’ll be part of one of the best gift exchanges going this season. Not only will your donation help keep nearly 2,000 breakfast programs running across the country, but it will also have a positive impact on you,” as stated by Marie-Pier Lemyre, Senior Advisor, Planned Giving at Breakfast Club of Canada. According to a recent study, generous people live happier lives.[1] Interesting, don’t you think? But that’s not all!

Did you know your donation entitles you to a tax credit that works out to about 33% for a donation of up to $200 and about 50% on any amounts above this?[2] But there are other ways to give beyond cash donations. Few people realize that if you own publicly traded shares that have increased significantly in value in the time since you acquired them and you use them to make a donation to the Club, there’s an extra incentive: you won’t have to pay tax on the corresponding capital gain.

Here’s an example to explain how this works:

Say you own shares that are currently valued at $2,000. You bought them a few years ago for $500. Normally, you would have to pay tax on half of the increase in value (i.e., the capital gain), or $750. By instead making a charitable donation of these shares, you’ll be exempt from this tax, which represents a substantial savings. If we estimate a rounded-off tax rate of 50%, that means an additional tax advantage of $375 — and that’s on top of the tax credit.[3]

Here is a video to help you better understand:

Whatever way you decide to show your support to BCC, you will be spreading the spirit of community that we have seen emerge in so many touching ways all year long and bring the magic of the season to children across the country. Help us put a twinkle in their eye by stepping up to the breakfast plate and feeding their appetite for success.

Happy Holidays, one and all!

THANK YOU TO JOCELYNE GONTHIER, MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS CONSULTANT, FOR HER INPUT IN WRITING THIS ARTICLE.

TO FIND OUT HOW TO DONATE PUBLICLY LISTED SECURITIES, WRITE TO US AT PLANNED.GIVING@BREAKFASTCLUBCANADA.ORG.

[1] SOURCE: STUDY CONDUCTED BY RESEARCHERS PHILIPPE TOBLER AND ERNST FEHR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH

[2] RATE WILL VARY DEPENDING ON YOUR TAXABLE INCOME.

[3] FOR A DONATION MADE IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.