Lunch by George Endowment Fund
Lunch by George has been run by the charitable organization Outreach St. George’s Kingston (OSGK) since 1985. This popular lunch program operates five days a week out of St. George’s Hall on Wellington Street, providing healthy, hot meals at noon. They normally serve 60 people per day, but their numbers have skyrocketed to up to double that during the pandemic.
In addition to providing a hot meal – often their only meal of the day – Lunch by George has become the social centre for many; a place where people know and care for each other. Blake, who hands out the food at the window, knows all their clients by name, and always interacts with each person in a very positive way. Their clients are very appreciative and often end their visit with a word of gratitude and “see you tomorrow!”
Lunch by George patrons come from a range of backgrounds, with many living with some form of disability – mental or physical – that prevent them from working. A survey done several years ago showed that most were on disability, pension, or welfare assistance, with rents consuming 30 to 50% of their incomes. Many have no cooking facilities – maybe just a hotplate.
“We treat all of our clients with respect and do our best to provide other things they might need, such as warm clothing, hats and gloves, and then on our coat give-away day they have the opportunity to come inside the door and try on the ones they like and choose one that suits them,” said Tanis Fairley, Co-Chair of OSGK.
Facing increasing demands and rising operational costs, the Board of OSGK is embarking on building an endowment fund that will provide a sustainable source of income to support the Lunch by George program each year, so that they are always there to provide a hot lunch to those in need.
They are hoping to take full advantage of the Community Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match to kick-start their new fund. The Foundation will match all gifts received by December 31, 2021, of up to a total of $10,000.
Donations to the Lunch by George Endowment Fund can be made in many convenient ways:
- on-line through Canada Helps (see donate now button below);
- by cheque payable to: Community Foundation for Kingston & Area
with “Lunch By George Endowment Fund” in the memo line; - by credit card, by calling the Foundation office at 613.546.9696;
- or, for maximum tax advantage, gifts of appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds). Please contact the Community Foundation office for details.
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275 Ontario Street Suite #100
Kingston, ON K7K 2X5
Phone: 613.546.9696
Fax: 613.531.9238
Email: info@cfka.org
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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.
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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.
