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HOW TO DONATE TO THE FCJ CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE

There are several ways you can donate to FCJ Christian Life Centre.

We have tried to make it as easy as possible, giving you the best range of options.

Cash, Cheque or Online

  • Online via CanadaHelps by clicking HERE.

  • In Person at our Office at 219 - 19th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C8

  • By Phone, calling at (403) 228-4215

  • By Mail sending a cheque payable to FCJ Christian Life Centre, to our address  219 - 19th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0C8. If you are supporting a specific program, please write its name in the memo line.

  • By Interac e-Transfer No processing fee will be deducted from your donation. Your bank may, however, charge a service fee. If you wish to donate via Interac e-Transfer, please do the following:

    • Go to your Online Banking site and click on the link for an Interac e-Transfer.

    • Fill in the required information, including the amount of your donation and, in the space provided for a personal message. Where you are asked to provide the Recipient’s email address, enter accountspayable@fcjcentre.ca.

    • You will be asked to create a Security Question; such as “What was the password I provided you?” Send the answer to your Security Question to us in a separate email with the address: accountspayable@fcjcentre.ca. This will allow us to transfer your donation to FCJ Centre’s bank account. Please also provide your name, mailing address, and phone number with your email.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact us at accountspayable@fcjcentre.ca if you have any questions.

(*) Receipts will be issued to the name(s) on the cheques or credit cards. Note that when choosing to donate using CanadaHelps.org a tax receipt is emailed directly to you from CanadaHelps.org on our behalf.

"Friends of the Centre" Monthly Donation

"Friends of the Centre" is a pre-authorized monthly giving program set up to make regular contributions in support of the ongoing ministry of the FCJ Christian Life Centre. By giving monthly, you help secure a stable and reliable source of funding for the Centre to continue to offer an 'Oasis' in the heart of Calgary.

 

In return you receive,

 

  • A consolidated tax receipt at the beginning of each calendar year

  • An annual gathering for "Friends of the Centre"

  • The satisfaction of knowing your generosity in supporting the community and the mission of the FCJ Christian Life Centre.

Your monthly donations help provide operating support for Centre programmings and SDTP (Spiritual Direction Training Program, 2-year program). Regular monthly donations may be made online using CanadaHelps.org or by calling the Centre to make alternate arrangements. 

 

(*) Note that when choosing to donate using CanadaHelps.org a tax receipt is emailed directly to you from CanadaHelps.org on our behalf.

"Charitable Gift Annuity" 

A "Charitable Gift Annuity" is a way of donating an irrevocable gift to the FCJ Christian Life Centre in return for guaranteed income for the rest of your life. The portion of your gift not used to provide the annuity income is used by the Centre as you direct.

 

Reasons to select an annuity: 

 

  • ...increase after-tax spendable income

  • ...want the security of a fixed guaranteed income

  • ...more tax-free income for donors in high tax bracket

  • ...worry-free management of investment

  • ...a significant portion, if not all, of the income is tax-free. In all cases, a donation receipt is issued, resulting in further tax savings.

  • ...donors receive the satisfaction of making a gift and are recognized as a Donor while still living

 

Joint annuities are available for couples, or you may purchase an annuity for another person, such as a a parent or grandparent.

 

How an annuity works ...e.g.

 

  • Your donation to the FCJ Christian Life Centre of $10,000 or more is invested in a guaranteed life annuity with a major insurance company

  • A portion of the donation (20 - 25%) is used by the FCJ Christian Life Centre immediately as you wish it to be used.

  • You will receive a guaranteed lifetime income at your choice of intervals and, depend on your age (you should be 70 or older), your income will be substantially or entirely tax-free. You will also receive a tax receipt for the gift portion to the Centre.​

 

We recommend you discuss your gift intentions with a financial advisor or lawyer.

Gift of Insurance

A "Gift of Insurance" is a simple, thoughtful and often overlooked way to make a gift to the FCJ Christian Life Centre. Insurance allows you to make a substantial gift without taking on a large expense. By taking out a new life insurance policy and naming the FCJ Christian Life Centre as owner and beneficiary, you normally will receive tax receipts for the annual premiums you pay. Existing policies that have finished serving their original purposes can have the ownership and beneficiary designation transferred to the Centre. A tax receipt is then issued for the cash value.

The advantages to you are ...

  • A planned gift of life insurance saves you tax dollars today. Not only is this important to a Donor who is looking for immediate tax relief, it also means that you can make sure that the tax-deductible limit is not exceeded.

  • Your estate is not diminished to your heirs because life insurance by its very nature creates an additional, separate 'estate'.

  • Life insurance is not subject to probate costs or delays in settlement. The full proceeds are payable to the FCJ Christian Life Centre at maturity or death. Life insurance is not a matter of public record. You can plan, arrange and announce the gift yourself and you will know that it will occur just as you planned.

  • Unlike a will, the gift cannot be contested.

  • A gift of life insurance allows you to contribute significantly to ongoing operational and capital costs, programs and services for those accessing the FCJ Christian Life Centre.

We recommend you discuss your gift intentions with a life insurance agent to determine which type of insurance best suits your needs. When you are ready to proceed, we suggest you discuss all intentions with your financial advisor or lawyer.

Many people are reluctant to plan their estates and believe they won't need a Will until years in the future. Death can come unexpectedly and unfortunately, the person you may wish to inherit may be in the same tragedy.

If you already have a Will, you are on the right track. You obviously understand the value of having a well-planned estate. A Will makes it much easier for your family and friends to receive money and valuable possessions you leave behind. Without a Will, provincial laws determine who receives what. If you do not have blood relatives, it is likely your provincial government will receive your estate instead of the friends or organizations you wish to benefit from. By preparing a Will you decide how your estate is distributed.

Consider reviewing your current Will ...

If you already have a Will, you would be wise to consider updating it if any of the following statements are true:

  • It has been 3 years or more since last reviewing your Will;

  • Your Will was drawn up when you lived in a different province or country;

  • There has been a birth or death in the family;

  • There has been a change in your marital status;

  • The beneficiaries named in your Will are no longer living;

  • You would like to add or subtract beneficiaries;

  • There has been changes in your asset base.

Kinds of Bequests ...

A carefully prepared Will can help make sure all reasonable provisions have been made for your dependants. Your Will can be a convenient way to make a charitable gift to an organization you have supported all your life. A Will also helps minimize taxes at the time of death.

Bequests can be in the form of cash, real estate, securities, tangible personal property or other assets. The following are samples of bequests, using a gift to the FCJ Christian Life Centre as an example...

 

  • Specific Bequest The FCJ Christian Life Centre would receive a specific dollar amount or stated percent from your estate. The advantage of making a specific gift is that the gift can be precisely identified and is simple to administer.

  • Residuary Bequest The FCJ Christian Life Centre would receive a percentage of the remainder of your estate. The actual value is sensitive to any changes in the value of your estate.

Here is some suggested language to provide for the FCJ Christian Life Centre in your Will. Similar wording would be used to designate others you would like to provide for in your Will:

 

  • Unrestricted Bequests
    I give to the FCJ Christian Life Centre $ __________ for use as the Centre may deem appropriate.

    I give to the FCJ Christian Life Centre _______% of my estate for use as the Centre may deem appropriate.

    I give to the FCJ Christian Life Centre all of the residue of my estate for use as the Centre may deem appropriate.

  • Restricted Bequests
    I give to the FCJ Christian Life Centre $ __________ or _______% of the residue of my estate to be used for the following: ____________________________________________________.

     

An outright distribution of cash or other property is a convenient way to remember friends, relatives or a charity such as the FCJ Christian Life Centre. You should consult your charity of choice to ensure that they are properly named and to make sure your bequest can be used as you intended it.

 

We recommend you discuss your gift intentions with your financial advisor or lawyer.

Wills and Bequests

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