Congratulations to our third Community Builder Award recipient, Sophie Kiwala

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area has awarded its third annual Community Builder Award to former MPP, Sophie Kiwala. The award recognizes her community leadership in addressing food insecurity, one of the Foundation’s Smart & Caring priority areas.

Kiwala embodies all the characteristics of a Community Builder. Prior to December 2019, Sophie became aware of a gap in available meals for vulnerable people when local meal providers closed for the holidays. She rallied sponsors and volunteers, working with meal providers to allow a group of volunteers (including Rotarians, of which she is one) to use their kitchens to prepare and provide meals when the agencies were closed.

When the pandemic hit, and concerns about feeding those in need grew along with the need for meal providers to adapt their services, Sophie once again stepped up to help. She took it upon herself to convene weekly “Vulnerable Sector Calls” via Zoom, where she openly invited discussion among individuals and agencies providing food to the vulnerable sector. The calls have become a safe place to share information, ask questions, and connect with other service providers.

Since the pandemic, Kiwala has also helped build a community charity garden in Odessa, which supports local food distribution among the homeless and vulnerable. All produce from the garden goes directly to local emergency food service providers, including Lionheart’s, Martha’s Table, St. Vincent de Paul, and Lunch by George.

“Over the past year and a half, I have seen how Sophie takes her ideas and puts them into action: not only by putting in significant time and leadership herself, but rallying and engaging others to work together to achieve her vision,” says Tina Bailey, Executive Director for the Community Foundation. “She is undoubtedly working to make Kingston and area a better place to live, work, and raise families.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no in-person awards ceremony. Kiwala was presented with the Community Builder award by Bailey and the Foundation’s Board Chair Gayle Barr at City Park on Friday.  She also received a virtual celebration during the Foundation’s annual members’ meeting on June 29.

“While this award means a great deal to me, it could not have been possible without the many volunteers who supported both the holiday meal program, the charity garden and the agencies who responded to the invitation to come together on the weekly calls.” said Kiwala.  “The endowment fundraising model employed by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, represents our ability to cooperate at the grassroots level, an approach to community building that is important to me.”

In accepting the award, Kiwala thanked and acknowledged the service providers that took part in the process with her. “Although I am most honored to receive this award, it couldn’t have happened without every single partner who was on the call… it is an acknowledgment for those organizations along with their staff and volunteers who worked so hard along the way.  We had our moments of victory, of great challenges, we cared for one another and saw the roadblocks along the way as opportunities for all to pitch in and help.  It was inspiring to work with these silent angels of this community who continuously stand up to the plate.”

Along with the award, a $1,000 donation is made to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Kiwala selected Lunch by George to receive this donation in her honour.  “Jenny Hurd and the volunteer team at lunch by George were the ones who in showed me how to deliver the emergency food services during the holiday meal program two years ago.  They exemplified the epitome of grace, in how to be ready to create and feed 50 people, or 150 in a generous and loving fashion. They worked hard, but clearly found such joy in their work in serving their clients and always managing to have a laugh along the way.  They, like all of the emergency providers, are there to make a difference in the lives of others.  They know their clients’ stories, they understand the challenges, and like all of us, just couldn’t bear the thought of people not having access to good healthy food.”

To learn more about the Community Builder award, visit cfka.org/community-builder-award/ .

 

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2023 Year End Tax Tips

 Both the federal and provincial governments offer donations tax credits that, in combination, can result in tax savings of up to 55% of the value of your gift in 2023, depending on your province or territory of residence. With total cash donations up to $200 in a year, the federal donation credit is 15% of the donation amount. For total donations exceeding $200 in a year, the federal donation credit jumps to 29% (33% to the extent taxable income exceeds $235,675) of the donation amount. Provincial donation credits are also available and the total credit may be up to 55% once total annual donations exceed the $200 in a calendar year.

December 31 is the last day to make a donation and get a tax receipt for 2023. You can help a wide range of charities with a single gift to our endowed Community Fund, support your favourite charity or cause by giving to one of our over 225 funds, or establish your own fund.

Credit Card or VISA Debit Card

If you’re ready to make your gift now, then use our secure online giving page. You have the option of choosing any one of our funds, giving ‘in memory of/in honour of’ instructions, and more. Or, if you prefer, you can simply call 613-546-9696 to make your donation over the phone using your Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX, or VISA Debit card. You can make a one-time gift, or sign up to make a regular monthly donation.

Cheque

Please make your cheque payable to Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (or “CFKA”), and write your intended fund in the memo line.  Drop it off or mail to: 275 Ontario Street, Suite #100, Kingston, ON, K7K 2X5.

Publicly-Traded Securities 

Gifting publicly-traded securities, including mutual funds and segregated funds, with accrued capital gains “in-kind” to a registered charity or a foundation not only entitles you to a tax receipt for the fair market value of the security being donated, it eliminates capital gains tax too. You should plan gifts in-kind well before year end, to allow for sufficient time to make arrangements. A gift of publicly-traded securities is the transfer of ownership of stocks or bonds to the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. If you own shares that have increased in value, 50 per cent of the capital gains are taxable. However, if you donate these shares in-kind to CFKA, the gain is tax-exempt. Learn more.

Form 1: Direction to Transfer Securities or Mutual Funds Electronically as a Charitable Donation Complete Form 1 to give your financial advisor/broker the instructions to make the gift to CFKA. The form contains all the information your advisor will need to make the transfer. They will then submit this form to our broker at CIBC Wood Gundy to advise that the transfer is pending.

Form 2: Notice of Transfer of Securities
Complete Form 2 and send it to CFKA to advise us of your gift, and instruct as to what you would like your donation to support.

Proposed Changes to Alternative Minimum Tax

Tax Element Current AMT Regime Proposed AMT Changes
Tax Rate and exception level 15% flat tax rate on an adjusted taxable income in excess of a $40,000 exemption 20.5% flat tax rate on an adjusted taxable income in excess of a $173,000 exemption
Calculating the adjusted taxable income for AMT purposes 100% of non-refundable tax credits included. 50% of non-refundable tax credits included.
Treatment of donations of publicly listed securities 0% of capital gains from donations of publicly listed securities included. 30% of capital gains from donations of publicly listed securities included.

Your AMT may be higher in 2024 (compared to 2023) if your taxable income is over about $173,000, and you have income taxed at lower rates than ordinary income, or deductions or credits that reduce taxes payable, including: Capital gains, Stock options,  Canadian dividends, Unused non-capital losses, net capital losses, or limited partnership losses from prior years, and  Non-refundable tax credits, including the donation tax credit. Speak to your tax profession to see how AMT could affect your situation in 2024, and, if appropriate, to consider triggering a gain or exercising employee stock options.

Contact us at 613.546.9696 or giving@cfka.org if you need any further assistance.

 

Community Foundation for Kingston & Area