Donor FAQ

Learn how your contribution impacts our community—explore the FAQs below.

The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area is a public charitable organization that pools donations to support a wide range of community needs. We help individuals, families, and organizations create funds to support registered charities.

A fund is a charitable account held at the foundation. Donors can contribute to an existing fund or create one to support the causes they care about.

We offer many unique fund types:

  • Donor-Advised: You recommend grants to charities annually.
  • Donor-Designated: You select specific charities to support.
  • Field-of-Interest: You choose a cause or issue area (e.g., youth, arts).
  • Community Fund: Your gift is pooled to address evolving community priorities.

Visit “Start a Fund” to learn more about each fund type.

Grants are made to qualified donees (registered Canadian charities) from donor-directed recommendations or through our competitive grant programs. All grants are reviewed to ensure they meet CRA regulations and align with donor intent.

To receive a grant from the Community Foundation, an organization must be a registered charity or other qualified donee recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Community Foundation will not grant directly to individuals or non-charities unless a partnership with a qualified donee is in place.

If you have a donor-advised fund, you can recommend grants to registered Canadian charities annually. We’ll work with you to ensure they meet CRA and foundation guidelines.

Yes, we encourage engagement. If you are a donor that is interested in connecting with or visiting the organizations you support directly, please indicate your interest upon donation and/or reach out to Donor Services at giving@cfka.org or (613) 546-9696 at any time.

All grants must be disbursed directly by the Community Foundation to maintain CRA compliance and transparency. However, we can notify the charity that the grant is being made in your name.

Once your donation is received, you will receive a confirmation from the Community Foundation. After processing it accordingly, you will be receipted for tax purposes and your donation will be allocated as per your wishes.

Yes, you will receive a charitable tax receipt for all eligible donations, which you can use for your Canadian income tax return. Tax receipts are processed differently according to your method of donation.

  • Online & Phone: Immediate tax receipt
  • Cash & Cheque: 5 business days
  • Gifts of Securities: 7 business days*

*Tax receipts for gifts of securities are issued up to 7 business days after the Community Foundation receives the transfer of securities. Please note that processing may take longer due to brokerage processing times.

Yes, you can give to a specific charity through a fund that allocates grants to it or make a flow-through donation. We’ll ensure the grant reaches the qualified donee you specify and update you along the way.

Contact our team to discuss your goals. We'll help you select the right fund type and guide you through the setup process, including an agreement and initial contribution.

Fund administration fees vary depending on the fund type and size, and they support the foundation’s operations and oversight. Please visit [insert link] or contact us for our current fee schedule.

There is no additional fee for donating publicly traded securities to start a fund at the Community Foundation or contribute to an existing one.

An administrative fee of 2% or a minimum of $250 is applied to all flow-through donations, gifts of securities made through the Community Foundation that are to be distributed to registered charities immediately.

You can donate online, by cheque, cash or via a gift of securities. You can also leave a bequest in your will or make a gift of life insurance.

Check out our “Ways to Give” for more information.

Yes. Monthly giving is easy, convenient, and helps provide stable funding to community initiatives year-round. Interested in making a monthly, quarterly, annual donation or setting your own frequency? Set it up on our donation page or contact Donor Services at giving@cfka.org or (613) 546-9696 to get started!  

The Community Foundation occasionally has volunteer opportunities for events or committees. Reach out to info@cfka.org if you’d like to get involved.

Please contact Donor Services at giving@cfka.org or (613) 546-9696. We’re happy to help you update your donation method, fund purpose, or contact information.

Check our website’s Events and News sections or follow us on social media for the latest updates, stories, and opportunities.

Yes. You can name individuals or organizations to advise on the fund after your lifetime. If you have not already, fill out the Fund Successor Form below and share it with Donor Service at giving@cfka.org.

Yes. Donors may choose to give anonymously or publicly. Please indicate your preference via your donation method.

Our pooled assets are professionally managed at CIBC Wood Gundy under the oversight of our Boad of Directors, Finance Committee, and Investment Committee. Investment returns support grantmaking and fund growth.

Looking for a donor form? Visit Donor Forms page arrow_forward

Suha Osman

Donor Services Officer

mail giving@cfka.org

phone 613.546.9696