Ways to Donate
Securities
If you have public company shares that have increased in value, there are several tax advantages to transferring the actual appreciated shares as a donation, now or in the future. Securities can include stocks, mutual funds, segregated funds, bonds, flow-through shares, and employee stock options. Consult your financial advisor to decide which investments make the most financial and philanthropic impact. Ask your broker to transfer your securities to Lions Foundation of Canada by completing the Gift of Publicly Traded Securities form and emailing it to the address provided on the top of the form.
Sponsor a Dog Guide Team
There are many opportunities to provide support to the Dog Guide program as a partner or sponsor. Sponsoring a Dog Guide will cover a portion of the $35,000 that it costs to raise and train a puppy and ultimately match with its handler. Your support will help the Dog Guide team be partners for as long as 10 years, with a life-time of follow-up. Your sponsorship can be directed to the program of your choice.
Sponsor an Event
Fundraisers are an important way for us to raise money for Dog Guides programs and services. As a sponsor, you would be offsetting costs associated with running an event, whether it’s by donating with products or cash. You can run your own event and donate the proceeds to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Bequests
Leaving even a small portion of your estate to charity can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible, while still supporting those you love. By leaving a bequest in your will, you can ensure the causes you care about are supported beyond your lifetime. Benefits also include some potentially significant tax savings. Take a look at the free resources and tools – including the bequest tax calculator – on the Will Power website to learn about ways to give, connect with financial advisors and discuss what is best for you.
Wish List
The Wish List is a unique way to make a contribution to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. You can contribute an item or make a donation towards the purchase of an item.
Donate a Car
Both Charity Car and Donate a Car Canada accept vehicle donations for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation. Charity Car or Donate a Car Canada.
Life Insurance
In this situation, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides would be a beneficiary on a life insurance policy. A gift of life insurance allows you to make a large gift in the future by making smaller tax-receiptible premium payments now.
RRSPs or TFSAs
If you own an RRSP or Tax-Free Savings Account, you can choose to designate Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides as the beneficiary.
Charitable Trusts
A charitable trust allows you to retain the income of current investments while making a gift to Lions Foundation of Canada in the future.
Memorial Gifts
Memorial Gifts celebrate the life of a loved one or a colleague in a meaningful way. They support the area of greatest need or a specific program and have a lasting impact. A gift notification will be sent to the designated individual or family member at the time of giving, and donors receive a tax receipt where eligible.
Donor Advised Funds
A fund held at a Community Foundation or bank has become quite popular. You can have your own “foundation” without the administrative burden of a private foundation.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A gift annuity guarantees payments to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides for your lifetime, some of which can be tax-free. The portion of the sum you contribute is a gift that will immediately support Dog Guide programs.
Endowment Fund
An endowment fund is an excellent way to make your gift last well into the future. For gifts of $10,000 or more, an endowment can be established in your name. The interest generated annually from the investment is used to support Dog Guide programs.
Tribute Gifts
Tribute Gifts mark a special occasion or celebrate a milestone. Tribute Gifts can recognize someone who has had an impact on your life, honour a loved one, or celebrate a milestone. Your gift means more Canadians with disabilities will receive the life-changing support of a Dog Guide. A gift notification will be sent to the individual specified at the time of giving and donors will receive a tax receipt where eligible.
Pet Memorial Wall
The Pet Memorial Wall is a lasting tribute that commemorates the life of your pet . The Pet Memorial Wall is located in Breslau, ON, on the grounds of the Dog Guides training center, where many of our puppies begin their lives. Plaques are inscribed with the family and pet’s name. Recognition takes place at an annual dedication ceremony on the second Saturday of June. Email: info@dogguides.com Cost: $150
Memorial Forest
Commemorate the life of a loved one by planting a tree. This living memorial will grow and flourish over the years. Our Memorial Forest is located at our facility in Breslau, ON. The name of the deceased will be inscribed on a plaque and placed at the base of a tree at the annual dedication service on the second Saturday of June. A certificate will be sent to a designated family member or friend on the donor’s behalf. Email: info@dogguides.com Cost: $350
Your Donations at Work!
Beau & Trebek
Diabetes Alert clients have something called “hypo unawareness”. This means they often don’t feel the warning symptoms of their blood sugars dropping. Their Dog Guide can alert them to the lows that they often otherwise wouldn’t feel.
“Before having a service dog, I would often go so low that I would have seizures and sometimes get hurt, which was very scary. Having Trebek by my side has given me my confidence back as well as my independence.
Trebek allows me to focus more on being a mom. Because Trebek is focused on me, I am able to be more focused on the present moment with my children. “
Tammy & Kiwi
On July 17, 1983, Tammy dove into a pool and broker her neck. In 2011, after 28 years of pushing herself around in her wheelchair, her shoulders and back were giving her trouble. If she dropped something she had trouble bending down and then getting back up. Opening a door was difficult and painful. A friend told her about Dog Guides. That’s when Kiwi came into her life. Tammy immediately felt that their partnership was meant to be… Kiwi’s birthday is July 17th… the date of her accident.
I can’t imagine my life without Kiwi. She helps me pick things up or get things I can’t reach. She’s a great companion. Everyday with my disability is a new challenge. But with Kiwi, she takes that challenge away. She makes me feel safer. When I’m sick, she alerts my neighbours. When my chair got stuck on ice, she saved me from freezing to death by alerting a passerby. She has brought back my independence that I was losing. I’d be lost without her.