ShareLife
Helping the whole community through Catholic agencies

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make a donation to ShareLife? You can make a donation through your parish at any time or donate by credit card online at www.sharelife.org, or by calling 416-934-3411. You may also be able to make a donation through your workplace. (Some employers even match employee donations to ShareLife.)

Are donations eligible for a tax receipt? All donations made to ShareLife are eligible for a tax receipt. The receipt will be issued at the point where the donation was made. If the donation is made at the parish, it will be part of the annual receipt sent to you at the end of the year.

Why do I receive a ShareLife mailing from the Cardinal each year? How did you get my name? Each year, the Cardinal mails a letter to parishioners in the Archdiocese of Toronto asking for their support for the ShareLife appeal. This mailing is the most effective way to communicate with all parishioners during the annual appeal. Your name and address have been provided to us by your parish and is used with the permission of the Archbishop of Toronto. Be assured your name is kept confidential, and that the Archdiocese of Toronto does not trade or rent your name to other organizations.

How much does ShareLife spend in administration? ShareLife is proud to be a leader in the non-profit sector regarding administrative costs. We are committed to ensuring that the maximum amount of your donation is used to assist those in need through the work of our 34 agencies. ShareLife maintains a 9% administrative ratio, which includes all fund raising and administrative costs.

Does ShareLife only help Catholics? The 30 social service agencies that are supported by the ShareLife appeal offer services to the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation. The remaining agencies (St. Augustine’s Seminary, Office of Catholic Youth, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, and the Pastoral Mission Fund) are Catholic outreach agencies.

How do I have a name removed from your list, or have my information changed? (in case of death, change of address, etc.) The information we receive comes from the official records of your parish, and as such your first point of contact should be with your parish. If you require further assistance, please contact the ShareLife office.

Why have I received more than one mailing from ShareLife? When you provide a donation to a parish, you are automatically registered in its database for the purposes of issuing a tax receipt. Each year, the Cardinal sends a letter on behalf of the ShareLife appeal to registered parishioners in the Archdiocese. You may be a parishioner who is registered in the roster of more than one parish. If you do not wish to receive duplicate mailings, contact the ShareLife office and we will assist you with this matter.

Are there any volunteer opportunities at ShareLife? There are limited opportunities to volunteer at the ShareLife office (mostly through events). However, you can serve as a volunteer on a parish ShareLife committee or through the ShareLife corporate campaign; contact the ShareLife office for details.

Our agencies often require volunteers to assist with their efforts. To learn more about our agencies and to contact them for volunteer opportunities, visit www.sharelife.org.

Does ShareLife accept gifts of securities as donations? ShareLife does accept gifts of securities as a way of contributing to the annual ShareLife appeal. The federal government has recently provided further incentives for people to contribute to charities in this manner by eliminating the Capital Gains Tax that was previously applied to such donations.

To learn more about making a contribution of securities [click here – hyperlink to come], contact Deacon Peter Doyle at the ShareLife office, 416-934-3400, ext. 561.

Can I leave ShareLife a bequest in my Last Will and Testament ? You can make a gift of life insurance, a bequest in a will, or a charitable annuity to the Legacy for Life Endowment Fund, the legacy fund of ShareLife. Learn more at www.sharelife.org/endowment. We provide staff support to assist in preparation of such gifts and welcome you to contact Deacon Peter Doyle at the ShareLife office, 416-934-3400, ext. 561.