Sponsor an orphan for just $75 per month; that's only $2.50 per day and transform the life of a child in need of support.

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Sponsor an orphan for just $75 per month; that's only $2.50 per day and transform the life of a child in need of support.

Sponsor Now

Donate Stocks & Publicly Traded Securities

A Tax-Smart Way to Multiply Your Impact

Donate Stocks & Publicly Traded Securities

Donating publicly traded stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds to Human Appeal Canada is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. It allows you to transform your investment gains into immediate relief for vulnerable families worldwide.

When you transfer appreciated securities directly to Human Appeal Canada, you pay zero capital gains tax on the growth. In return, you receive a charitable tax receipt for the full market value of the shares on the day they arrive in our account.

If you sell your shares first and donate the cash, you trigger capital gains tax, reducing both the amount you can give and your tax savings. Direct stock giving ensures that more of your money goes directly toward saving lives.

Why Donate Securities Instead of Cash?

The example below shows how donating securities directly delivers a larger gift to charity and a bigger tax benefit to you compared to selling shares first:

Calculation Item Sell Securities & Donate Cash Donate Securities Directly
Current Fair Market Value $10,000 $10,000
Original Cost Basis $2,000 $2,000
Total Capital Gain $8,000 $8,000
Taxable Capital Gain $4,000 (50% inclusion rate)* $0 (100% exempt)
Estimated Tax Due (50% Marginal Rate) $2,000 $0
Effective Amount Donated $8,000 $10,000
Charitable Tax Credit (Approx. 50%) $4,000 $5,000
Net Out-of-Pocket Cost to You $6,000 $3,000

Please note: The example above is for illustrative purposes only. Your actual tax benefits will depend on the amount donated, your province of residence, your tax bracket, and other individual factors. We recommend consulting a qualified financial or tax advisor before proceeding.

Simple 3-Step Donation Process

Step 1: Download & Complete the Transfer Form

Download our official Securities Transfer Form. This document contains everything your financial advisor or investment institution needs to process the transfer, including Human Appeal Canada's account details and your donation allocation instructions. The donor information you enter on this form will be used to generate your charitable tax receipt.

Step 2: Submit the Form to Your Advisor & Notify Us

Submit the completed form to your financial advisor or investment institution, and send a copy to Human Appeal Canada at [email protected].

This instructs your broker to transfer the securities in-kind to Human Appeal Canada's account. Your transfer should reference the following details:

Account Name: Human Appeal Foundation Account Number: 451-03517-13 Receiving Institution: CIBC Wood Gundy Address: 255 Queens Avenue, Suite 2200, London, ON, N6A 5R8 FINS: T079 | CUID: WGDB | DTC: 5030 | Dealer: 9280

Transfers generally take between 5 to 10 business days to complete, depending on the transferring institution.

Step 3: Receive Your Charitable Tax Receipt

Your charitable tax receipt is based on the fair market value of the securities on the exact day they are received in Human Appeal Canada's account. Tax receipts are issued promptly following the transfer.

To receive the full tax benefit, including the total elimination of capital gains tax, securities must be transferred in-kind directly to Human Appeal Canada's account. Shares that are sold prior to transfer do not qualify for this treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What types of securities can I donate?

    You may donate publicly traded stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and bonds held in a non-registered investment account. Please contact our team if you have questions about whether a specific security qualifies.

  • Will I pay capital gains tax when donating securities?

    No. When securities are donated in-kind from a non-registered account directly to Human Appeal Canada, capital gains tax is entirely eliminated under Canadian tax law. You receive a charitable tax receipt for the full fair market value of the securities on the day they arrive in our account.

  • Can I donate securities from a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)?

    Yes, transfers from a TFSA are possible. However, since gains within a TFSA are already tax-sheltered, there is no additional capital gains tax advantage to donating securities from this type of account compared to a cash donation. The charitable tax credit will still apply to the full market value.

  • Can I donate securities from an RRSP or RRIF?

    Withdrawals from registered accounts such as RRSPs and RRIFs are treated as income and do not qualify for the same in-kind capital gains exemption. We recommend consulting a qualified financial advisor before proceeding with securities held in a registered account.

  • How long does the transfer process take?

    Most transfers are completed within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your financial institution and the type of security being transferred.

  • How is my charitable tax receipt calculated?

    Your tax receipt is based on the fair market value of the securities on the date they are received in Human Appeal Canada's account, not the date you initiate the transfer with your broker.

  • Do I need to notify Human Appeal Canada when making the transfer?

    Yes. Please send a copy of your completed Securities Transfer Form to [email protected] when you submit it to your financial institution. This ensures we can track your transfer, allocate your donation correctly, and issue your tax receipt promptly.

  • Can I specify which Human Appeal Canada project or fund my donation supports?

    Yes. The Securities Transfer Form includes a section where you can indicate how you would like your donation allocated: whether to a specific appeal, emergency fund, or general operations.

  • Is a securities donation Zakat-eligible?

    Zakat eligibility for securities donations depends on the nature of the investment and your intention at the time of transfer. If the investment is from a halal source and you make the intention to give it as Zakat at the time of donation, it may qualify. We recommend consulting a qualified Islamic scholar for guidance specific to your situation.

  • Is stock giving available to corporate donors?

    Yes. Corporations registered in Canada can also donate publicly traded securities to Human Appeal Canada and receive a charitable tax deduction while eliminating capital gains tax.

    For any questions about donating securities to Human Appeal Canada, please contact our team at [email protected] or call us at (844) 225 2251. We are happy to walk you through the process.

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