Canada's charitable sector is vital to the economy and is instrumental in helping reduce the government's need to fund many vital services, particularly in relation to health care. Now, with the needs of so many Canadians growing as a result of economic uncertainty, the nonprofit and charitable sector requires additional government policies to help restore declining giving levels and to lay the foundation for a stronger philanthropic base in Canada.
As a member of Imagine Canada, AHP fully supports recommendations to:
1. Build on the First-Time Donor's Super Credit announced in 2013 by implementing the Stretch Credit for Charitable Giving to promote a culture of long-term and incremental giving.
2. Take action to reduce merchant fees paid when credit cards are used to make donations to, or purchase goods or services from, registered charities, to ensure donors' dollars go to charitable causes rather than to credit card companies.
3. Continue to expand charities' and nonprofits' access to federal business development services to enhance their capacity to generate income and serve their communities in a financially sustainable way.
These recommendations strengthen charities, reduce administrative costs and contribute directly to the government's jobs and growth agenda.
Read the full written submission regarding the 2015 Federal Budget in the PDF below.
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Susan Simolunas
Communication Coor
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy
Falls Church VA
(703) 532-6243
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