Remaining Accountable
At Vox, we want to ensure that we treat your gifts with the respect they deserve, and we want to ensure that we are accountable to our supporters. To ensure this, we have put together a list of policies and procedures that govern how your donations are used by us.
Policy #1: Gift Acceptance.
Donors are encouraged to make unrestricted gifts wherever possible to allow Vox Community Church to direct donations to the areas and programs of greatest need. Vox Community Church will accept restricted or designated gifts for approved and priority purposes as outlined in Vox Community Church Policy #2, Designated/Restricted Gifts. Vox Community Church does not accept endowments.
The form of support covered under this policy includes donations, grants, and in-kind gifts, in keeping with Income Tax Act (Canada) regulations, Canada Revenue Church guidelines and any other applicable guidelines.
All acceptances of gifts must also comply with, and hold us accountable to, all relevant Vox Alliance Church policies and codes.
Vox Community Church reserves the right to decline a gift. The final decision to accept or decline a gift rests with the Lead Pastor unless it might expose Vox Community Church to liability (e.g. real estate and other gifts in kind), is precedent setting or involves sensitive matters, in which case, the final decision rests with the Board.
Acceptance of a gift does not imply endorsement by Vox Community Church of any product, service or philosophy of the donor.
Donors are strongly encouraged to review the terms of deferred gifts with Vox Community Church staff to ensure Vox Community Church can honour donors’ wishes.
Vox Community Church strongly recommends all donors seek advice from professional advisors and discuss the matter with family when considering a bequest or other deferred gifts to Vox Community Church.
Supporting Documentation
Vox Community Church will produce supporting documentation for gifts that have multi-year commitments or that are designated for specific purposes (see Policy #2, Designated/Restricted Gift Policy).
Returning Gifts
In certain circumstances, it may become necessary for Vox Community Church to return a previously accepted gift. The final decision to return a gift will be made by the Board, in consultation with legal and financial counsel.
When a decision is made to return a gift, Vox Community Church will comply with Canada Revenue Agency requirements. In addition to the return of the same or identical property, Vox Community Church will provide the donor with details on the cancelled or revised charitable tax receipt. A copy of this tax receipt will be filed with Canada Revenue Church.
Such instances could include, but are not limited to:
- Where continued association with the donor would result in harm to the Church’s reputation
- Where a donation is determined to have been the proceeds of a crime
- The terms of the donation agreement can no longer be honoured, and a new agreement cannot be negotiated with the donor, or his or her heirs or assigns
Definition of Gift Types
- Gift or Donation – The terms “gift” and “donation” are often used interchangeably. For the purposes of this policy, “gift” and “donation” are understood to mean the same thing, that is, a voluntary transfer of cash or in-kind goods from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources to Vox Community Church for either undesignated or designated use. Gifts are made without expectation of a tangible return.
- Deferred gift – Deferred giving is the process of making a gift commitment today for delivery to Vox Alliance Church at a future date. See Vox Community Church Policy #5, Deferred Gifts.
- Designated or Restricted gift – A gift given to Vox Community Church where the donor has specified how the support is to be directed. See Vox Community Church Policy #2, Designated/Restricted Gifts.
- Undesignated or Unrestricted gift – A gift given to Vox Community Church where the donor has not specified how the support is to be directed. Vox Community Church will determine the most appropriate use of the gift.
Types of Gifts Accepted
Vox Community Church will accept donations through the following giving vehicles, subject to the terms outlined below:
- Cash or equivalent – Cash donations include those received through cheques, debit and credit cards. Pledges or cash or equivalents will also be accepted.
- In-Kind Gifts – In-kind gifts include tangible personal property, real property and goods or services, as outlined in Vox Community Church Policy #3, Gift-in-Kind.
- Gifts of Securities – Gifts of securities include donations of publicly traded and thinly traded securities, as outlined in Vox Community Church Policy #4, Donations of Securities.
- Deferred Gifts – Deferred gifts include bequests, life insurance, retirement plans such as RRSP’s and RRIF’s, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other gift vehicles that may be categorized as deferred gifts in the future, as outlined in Vox Community Church Policy #5, Deferred Gifts.
Policy #2: Designated/Restricted Gifts.
Vox Community Church encourages donors to give undesignated and unrestricted donations or gifts so that funds may be directed where the need is greatest. However, Vox Community Church acknowledges the importance of and will support designated gifts when that designation is consistent with the mission and priority needs of Vox Community Church, as in the Church’s annual operating budget approved by the board. However, Vox Community Church does not have nor is accepting endowments.
All acceptances of gifts must also comply with, and hold us accountable to, any relevant Vox Community Church policies and codes.
Vox Community Church will produce supporting documentation for gifts that have multi-year commitments, or that are designated for specific purposes.
Upon acceptance of a designated/restricted gift, there will be no change in the use of that gift, or any portion thereof, without the donor’s or his or her agent’s consent. If the original purpose of the donation is no longer relevant and in the event the donor or his or her agent is no longer able to approve or decline consent for a change of purpose, the funds will be used in support of the area of greatest need.
Policy #3: Gifts-In-Kind.
Vox Community Church encourages donors to give undesignated and unrestricted donations or gifts so that funds may be directed where the need is greatest. However, Vox Community Church acknowledges the importance of and will support designated gifts when that designation is consistent with the mission and priority needs of Vox Community Church, as in the Church’s annual operating budget approved by the board. However, Vox Community Church does not have nor is accepting endowments.
All acceptances of gifts must also comply with, and hold us accountable to, any relevant Vox Community Church policies and codes.
Vox Community Church will produce supporting documentation for gifts that have multi-year commitments, or that are designated for specific purposes.
Upon acceptance of a designated/restricted gift, there will be no change in the use of that gift, or any portion thereof, without the donor’s or his or her agent’s consent. If the original purpose of the donation is no longer relevant and in the event the donor or his or her agent is no longer able to approve or decline consent for a change of purpose, the funds will be used in support of the area of greatest need.
In-kind gifts of services
Registered charities cannot issue official charitable income tax receipts for gifts of services. However, a gift of services may be eligible for a tax receipt through a cheque exchange. Receipting for cheque exchanges will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Acceptance
Vox Community Church reserves the right to decline any in-kind gift. The decision to accept or decline a gift rests with the Lead Pastor unless the source of a gift might expose Vox Community Church to liability, is precedent setting or involves sensitive matters, in which case, the final decision rests with the Board of Directors.
Valuation
Proven value of the donated item is required in order for Vox Community Church to issue a tax receipt. Receipted in-kind gifts will be accompanied by supporting documentation such as an in-kind gift form.
Policy #4: Donations of Securities.
A. Acceptance and treatment of securities upon receipt
Vox Community Church can receive gifts of securities listed on any prescribed stock exchange or market, including Canadian stock exchanges, the NYSE, AMEX, and NASDAQ, in keeping with the guidelines set out by the Canada Revenue Agency and all relevant Vox Alliance Church policies (e.g. Policy #1, Gift Acceptance Policy).
Vox Community Church can also receive gifts of mutual funds/units, pooled fund units and segregated fund units.
In addition, Vox Community Church can accept donations of thinly traded securities which can be difficult to liquidate at the value or close to the value of the shares at the time the gift was made. These will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Church’s brokerage firm.
Donors must discuss their proposed donation of thinly traded securities with Vox Community Church in advance of initiating a transfer of such securities.
Vox Community Church reserves the right to decline any gift, as outlined in Vox Community Church Policy #1, Gift Acceptance Policy, including, but not limited to, a gift of thinly traded securities if Vox Community Church is not notified in advance of the transfer.
B. Valuation of securities
Electronic transfer of gifts: For the purpose of valuing the income tax receipt for securities transferred electronically, the value of the gift will be based on the closing market value on the day the gift is received in Vox Community Church’s brokerage account.
Transfer of gifts via share certificate: If the gift of securities is delivered via share certificate, the value of the gift, for the purposes of valuing the income tax receipt, will be based on the closing market value on the day Vox Community Church or its broker takes possession of both the share certificate and the transfer documents/Power of Attorney.
Valuation of securities for recognition purposes: Recognition will be based on the tax receipted amount of the donation.
C. Disposition of Shares
All gifts will be liquidated immediately.
Miscellaneous
As part of our continued pledge to remain accountable to our donors, Vox Community Church encourages donors to discuss the proposed gift with independent legal, financial or tax advisors and family members.
Donors are encouraged to contact Vox Community Church to discuss their proposed donation prior to the transfer of their securities. Donors must complete the donation transfer form to complete their gift.
Policy #5: Deferred Gifts.
Vox Community Church accepts donations in the form of “deferred gifts” as bequests, life insurance, retirement plans such as RRIFs or RRSPs, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts and other gift vehicles that may be categorized as a gift in the future.
Donors are encouraged to make unrestricted deferred gifts whenever possible to allow Vox Community Church to direct support to the areas and programs of greatest need. Vox Community Church will accept restricted or designated deferred gifts for approved purposes, described in Vox Community Church Policy #2, Designated/Restricted Gifts Policy.
All acceptances of gifts must comply with, and be accountable to, any relevant Vox Community Church policies and codes.
Tax receipts for deferred gifts will be issued in accordance with Income Tax Act (Canada) regulations, Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, requirements for the specific gift vehicle involved and all applicable Vox Community Church policies.
Donors are strongly encouraged to review the terms of deferred gifts with Vox Alliance Church staff to ensure Vox Community Church can honour donors’ wishes.
Vox Community Church strongly recommends all donors seek advice from professional advisors and discuss the matter with family when considering a bequest or other deferred gift to Vox Community Church.
Policy #6: Donor Recognition & Receipting.
All receiptable donations of $10 or more will be acknowledged with a thank you letter and official income tax receipt issued on an annual basis for the total amount donated by an individual or organization within the previous fiscal year, unless otherwise requested in writing. A donation is defined as a voluntary transfer of cash or in-kind goods from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources to Vox Community Church for either undesignated or designated use. In addition, gifts (cash or in-kind) starting at $1,000 can receive more public recognition.
Vox Community Church may publicly recognize gifts made by donors. The recognition vehicle(s) will be determined by Vox Community Church to be consistent with the type and value of the gift. The manner in which the donor is recognized will be agreed to, ahead of time, by the donor and Vox Community Church.
Thank you for taking the time to read through the Donor and Giving Policies of Vox Community Church. If you have any questions concerning these policies you can contact us at [email protected], or by calling the church at 705-220-1040.
