In memory of Peter Aykroyd

Jul 10, 2020 | Featured, Foundation News/Updates, Front Page 1

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Peter Aykroyd at the age of 98.  

Peter is remembered by those at the Foundation who know him best as an ‘extraordinary man’ who was ‘kind, thoughtful, loving and generous’, with a ‘flamboyant and loveable personality’.  One person reflected after meeting him at a Foundation event that ‘while his tall height could have been intimidating, he seemed to deliberately fade back, leaving the floor to others until it came time to quietly add an insight here and there’ and how his easy manner and short pithy comments at key moments helped to keep conversations on track. 

Peter was instrumental in the launching of the Community Foundation 25 years ago, as you can read about in the lovely tribute piece written by Jack Chiang in The Kingston Whig Standard here: https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/peter-aykroyd-a-life-well-lived.

He certainly helped us bring some celebrity status to our official launch at City Hall, which opened with his son Dan driving then mayor Gary Bennett into Memorial Hall on a Harley!

Peter’s support and guidance of the Foundation the early years was invaluable.  Indeed, one of our Honorary Life Members described him as “a rock and absolutely key to the early success of CFKA”.

Below is a reflection piece about Peter written by Katherine Manley, the Foundation’s first Executive Director who worked with him the most.

We are honored that the Aykroyd family has chosen to direct memorial donations for Peter to the Community Foundation, specifically to our Operating Endowment Fund which will help strengthen the work of the Foundation Peter helped build into the future.

We are eternally grateful to Peter for his vision, zest for life and love for our community.   He will be missed.

Our thoughts are with the Aykroyd family at this difficult time.

Memorial donations can be made on line through Canada Helps by clicking the button below or by cheque payable to CFKA with “Peter Aykroyd” in the memo line.

Reflections on Peter Aykroyd
By
Katherine Manley, former CKFA Executive Director

I first met Peter Aykroyd by telephone in April 1996 when he called after seeing my photo in the local newspaper, announcing my position as first Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Greater Kingston.  I have never forgotten this incredible conversation in which Peter talked about his vision of philanthropy.  His was a global view and I was very excited about possibly involving him in our endeavours.  A sudden opening came up for the National Conference in May 1996 and I immediately called Peter to see if he would like to attend.  We met in London, Ontario at that conference and very soon after Peter joined our Board of Directors and the Grants Committee.

Peter was an extraordinary, compassionate and thoughtful philanthropist who contributed enormously to both his community and the country.  On the local level, his wisdom, vision and leadership skills were quickly recognized as he helped guide our newly formed Foundation.  He not only made valuable contributions to the Grants Committee but helped in any way he could.  Learning more about his background and after reading his book “The Anniversary Compulsion”, I asked if he would take the lead in planning the formal launch of our local Community Foundation.  This he graciously did and with a full crowd of over 300 people at City Hall and a great deal of publicity, we were off to a wonderful start!

By then we were aware of the major role he played as Director of Public Relations for the Centennial Commission servicing Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967.  Peter put the same amount of thought and hard work into every project he undertakes!   Peter became immersed in our Community Foundation while involving himself at National Conferences.  Andre Picard wrote in a “Globe & Mail Article” that Peter has quietly carved out a niche as one of the world’s foremost experts on the coming millennium and as a social anthropologist”.  The work he did on the Centennial Celebrations helped, as Peter said, “the soul of the country to grow” and with the Millennium, it is “the soul of humanity that will grow”.  He put a tremendous effort into forming a nation-wide gift-giving program called “Our Millennium”.  It involved communities across the country in innovative gift –giving projects that really made a difference.

Through his work with Community Foundations, Peter became well known and highly respected.   As Executive Director for four years, I had the opportunity to observe first-hand his exceptional qualities – his wisdom, generosity, breadth of participation in philanthropy and ability to make a lasting, positive impact both locally and nationally.   Although I retired from the Community Foundation in 2000, I continued to stay in touch with Peter who continued to advise both the Community Foundation and many of its individuals.

I have had the opportunity to work with a large number of volunteers and Peter was truly exceptional, giving of his expertise at all levels!  I have been privileged to observe at first hand his leadership skills, his high ideals and humanitarian qualities.

Donate

 When you give to the Community Foundation you can have confidence that your community will continue to benefit from your gift for many years to come.

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