The Archdiocese of Toronto accepts gifts of publicly traded securities such as stocks, mutual funds, and bonds. This giving method offers significant tax advantages, as donors pay no capital gains tax on appreciated securities donated directly to charity. Review the resources and information below to learn more about the process and how to make your gift.

Important Resources and Files:

• Letter of Direction (fillable PDF form)
• Infosheet & Guide for Gifting Securities
• Capital Gains Tax Information (Canada Revenue Agency)
• Gift Acceptance Policy & Archdiocesan Entities (updated February 2024)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I donate securities instead of cash (or selling the securities)?
When you donate publicly traded securities directly to the Archdiocese, you pay zero capital gains tax on any appreciation. If you sell the securities yourself and donate the cash, you'll pay capital gains tax on the profit, reducing the amount available for your donation. Donating securities directly is the most tax-efficient way to give in Canada.

2. Are there any fees?
The Archdiocese does not charge fees or commissions of any kind. The only cost is a flat $150 brokerage fee charged by our broker, which will come out of the proceeds and will not affect your tax receipt. You are encouraged to seek professional advice from your financial advisor before deciding upon any charitable gift using personal assets.

3. How can I make a gift of securities?

1. You: Complete and sign the Letter of Direction form. Send copies to both your broker AND the Archdiocese at development@archtoronto.org (or fax to 416-934-3412).
2. Your Broker: Your broker transfers the securities from your account into the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Toronto account at CIBC Wood Gundy.
3. The Archdiocese: Our broker receives and sells your securities. Once the trade settles, we prepare your tax receipt and disburse the funds to the parish(es)/charities you listed on the Letter of Direction.

Important: A completed Letter of Direction is required by our brokers to sell the securities. We often find that sending the documents to our brokers only leads to delays, so please ensure that a copy is sent to the Archdiocese as well.

4. How is my tax receipt calculated?
According to Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, your charitable donation receipt is based on the fair market value of the securities on the day they are received into our account. All securities are sold as soon as possible following the transfer of ownership. You'll receive a full transaction report along with your tax receipt showing the final amount.
Important: The date we receive your completed Letter of Direction will determine which tax year your receipt is issued for, unless you specify otherwise.

5. Where can I direct my gift?
You can direct your gift to archdiocesan entities including any parish, ShareLife, The Shepherds' Trust, St. Augustine's Seminary, archdiocesan offices and departments (Office of Catholic Youth, Office for Refugees, Office of Vocations, etc.), Family of Faith and future capital campaigns, Catholic Charities, and The Catholic Register.

6. Can I donate to organizations outside the Archdiocese?
Yes, but please note our allocation policy effective October 15, 2021:

• At least 50% of your total gift must go to archdiocesan organizations in a given calendar year
• Any non-archdiocesan charity must receive a minimum allocation of $500

Archdiocesan organizations include: the Archdiocese and its departments (Office of Catholic Youth, Office for Refugees, Office of Vocations, etc.), all parishes, ShareLife, The Shepherds' Trust, St. Augustine's Seminary, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto, The Catholic Register, and Catholic Missions in Canada.
For the complete list of archdiocesan entities, please see our gift acceptance policy document.

7. How long does the process take?
Important: We cannot access your account or contact your broker on your behalf. You must send the Letter of Direction to your broker and instruct them to initiate the transfer. We can only set up to receive the securities once your broker begins the transfer process.

The timeline depends entirely on how quickly your broker initiates the transfer after receiving your instructions. Once the securities arrive in our account, they are sold as soon as possible. Note that mutual funds typically take slightly longer to process than individual stocks. After the trade settles and we receive the final sale information from our broker, we can prepare your tax receipt and disburse funds according to your Letter of Direction—this part typically takes only 1-2 business days.

8. What is the Archdiocese's legal name and charitable registration number?
Our legal name is Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation for the Diocese of Toronto, and our charitable registration number is 10791 0259 RR0001.

Still Have Questions? Give us a call or send us an email. We're here to help.

Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (we're flexible to accommodate your schedule)

All calls are strictly confidential. There is no fee for this service.