Does the Ecomuseum zoo issue income tax receipts for donations?
YES. The Saint-Lawrence Valley Natural History Society – which operates the Ecomuseum zoo - is a private recognized charity by the Canada Revenue Agency since 1988. Our charitable business number is 1315 81761 RR0001. The Ecomuseum zoo issues charitable receipts for all donations of $10 or more.
Why did the Ecomuseum zoo send me an appeal letter?
Quite simply, the Ecomuseum zoo wrote to you because you showed an interest in our organization or you are a member or an animal sponsor. Please rest assured that your privacy is our priority. The Ecomuseum zoo does not share, rent or sell its donor list.
Why is the Ecomuseum Zoo asking for donations by mail?
Postal appeals are a simple and easy way for the Ecomuseum zoo to enter into a direct relationship with its donors and people who want to support the organization's work over the course of the year.
Our donors and members also see the mail as the best way to be kept informed on our public education work and upcoming activities at the zoo by reading our EcoECHO newsletter. The Ecomuseum strives to ensure documentation is sent on 100% recycled and recyclable materials and we encourage all recipients to register for electronic communications to reduce our carbon footprint.
Can I have my name removed from the Ecomuseum zoo’s mailing list?
Of course, we do not want to inconvenience our supporters who do not want to deal with postal appeals. In addition, we closely monitor the frequency of mailings donors want to receive from our organization.
If you wish to be excluded from our mailing lists, please send an email to Ms. Ligia Peña (please indicate your full name and address) or call us at 514-457-9449.
Why did I get correspondence in the wrong language?
We apologize for such an error and we will quickly correct your information once you inform us. Please help us correct the situation by sending an email to Ms. Ligia Peña (please indicate your full name, address, postal code, telephone number and language preference) or calling us at 514-457-9449.
How is it that I got more than one copy of the same letter?
We apologize for the inconvenience. This problem is almost certainly the result of a good thing i.e. you may have made a number of donations to the Ecomuseum, but under different but very similar names and addresses (for instance: Julie Smith vs. Julie A. Smith).
We appreciate your help in eliminating duplication in our mailings by sending a detailed email to Ms. Ligia Peña or calling us at 514-457-9449. Please remember to include the donor name and addresses from each of the duplicate mailings that you received.
I want to reduce my carbon footprint by receiving your newsletter by email.
That’s fabulous! Thank you for thinking of the environment the way we do. We actually hope to eventually distribute our newsletter by email only. Simply send an email to Ms. Ligia Peña indicating you wish to receive your documentation by email. Don’t forget to indicate your name and full address.
Do your annual appeal letters produce results?
Since the beginning of the postal appeal program in 2007, the Ecomuseum zoo has been able to recruit new supporters, some of which have made major and/or legacy gifts. We have therefore considered these annual appeal letters to be a success. Each donation received in response to these campaigns has helped finance operating expenses and has contributed to the modernization of existing infrastructure required to provide services to our guests and care for our animal ambassadors.
What are the advantages of "planned giving"?
Planned giving allows you to take advantage of tax savings during your lifetime and can also benefit your estate. There are some very interesting tax advantages associated with these types of contributions:
1. A 15% federal tax credit applies to the first $200 of any contribution and 29% to any amount beyond this.*
2. You can also receive a provincial tax credit of up to almost 50%, depending upon the province in which you reside. For example, the provincial tax credit in Quebec is 20% on the first $200 and 24% on amounts beyond this.**
3. What's more, an individual Canadian can claim federal tax credits for donations of up to 75% of his or her net income in any given year and contribution can be carried forward for 5 years.*
In addition, a donor's estate can benefit from federal tax credits for charitable donations of up to 100% of his or her net income in the year of death, and in the year immediately preceding the donor's passing.
* Please refer to the Canada Revenue Agency website for more details: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/chrts-gvng/dnrs/svngs/2-eng.html
** Please refer to the Revenu Quebec 2009 Income Tax Return Form, page 3, line 393: http://www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca/documents/en/formulaires/tp/TP-1.D-V(2009-12).pdf or article 752.0.10.6 of Laws administered by Revenu Quebec: http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2F%2FI_3%2FI3_5_A.htm
These percentages may change, please verify with your accountant or financial planner.
What is the difference between a donation and a bequest?
Sometimes, these two terms are used interchangeably when people are talking about wills. However, in effect they are not the same thing. A bequest provides for the transfer of goods (money, fixed and movable assets) through a will, which takes effect on the death of an individual, while a donation is a contribution made during a donor's lifetime.
I would like to volunteer for the Ecomuseum zoo. What can I do?
Volunteers are a great source of support and we thank you for offering. There are various ways for you to volunteer. Please, send along your contact information to: info@ecomuseum.ca and we will be in touch with you with further information.
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