Donating shares and other securities

Make your gift today

A gift of securities is a thoughtful way to support our work saving and improving the lives of people affected by cancer through world-leading research, a compassionate support system and the advancement of healthy public policies.

Download gift of securities transfer form

Reduce Taxes

In most cases, donating appreciated stocks, mutual funds or stock options means you pay no tax on the capital gains.

Get a Receipt

Receive a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value for your donation

Make an Impact

Maximize the impact of your gift by donating the full value of your securities.

The following example illustrates the benefit of gifting stock to make a donation versus selling the stock and donating the cash to The Canadian Cancer Society:

	Sell stock and donate proceeds	Donate stock to the Canadian Cancer Society
Fair Market Value	$10,000	$10,000
Initial cost of stock	$2,000	$2,000
Capital gain (FMV less cost)	$8,000	$8,000
Taxable gain	$4,000 (50%)	$0
Tax payable on gain (43.7%)	$1,748	$0
Charitable gift receipt	$10,000	$10,000
Tax credit (43.7%)	$4,370	$4,370
Net tax benefit from donation	$2,622	$4,370

Talk to your financial advisor

Talk to your financial advisor to determine which investments will make the most philanthropic and financial impact to you.

Complete the transfer form

Complete the transfer form and instruct your broker to transfer your securities directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. Send a copy of the signed form to The Canadian Cancer Society, allowing us to track your generous gift and to inform our broker.

Receive a charitable receipt

Upon receipt of the transferred securities to The Canadian Cancer Society’s brokerage account, we will issue a charitable receipt based on the closing market value of the shares on the day they are received in our account.

Contact us

For more information contact:

Kendal Clark
Analyst, Pipeline Management
kendal.clark@cancer.ca
securities@cancer.ca

Disclaimer:

This material is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal or other advice without first consulting with your legal and/or financial advisor.

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever.

Yes. You can indicate on the Canadian Cancer Society Gifts of Securities Transfer Form what you would like your gift to be used for. If left blank your gift will go towards the area The Canadian Cancer Society classifies as the most in need

To qualify for the elimination of capital gains, the donated securities can be shares, debt obligations or rights listed on a designated stock exchange, mutual funds, interests in related segregated fund trusts or Government of Canada or provincial government bonds.

Yes. The same form is used for all forms of securities. Canadian Cancer Society Gifts of Securities Transfer Form.

There is no limit to the amount you can donate in a year. However, for tax purposes, you can generally only claim a charitable donation of up to 75% of your net income in a taxation year. The limit is 100% of your net taxable income for Quebec. This limit is also 100% of your net income in the year of death and the preceding year.

RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (FINS# T002)

Account #421-42114-11

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Attn: Eddie Keung

Email: eddie.keung@rbc.com

Tel: 416-974-2484 Fax: 416-974-0332

Dealer #: 9190 DTC#: 5002 CUID: DOMA

Please work with your broker or financial planner to fill out the Canadian Cancer Society Gifts of Securities Transfer Form.

No. You can also donate without a broker via your financial institution/online platforms. However, a broker can normally help expedite the process as they will work with the back office to ensure your donation is processed properly in a timely manner.

No. If you sell your securities and donate the payout, you will likely be required to pay capital gains tax on the entire capital gain.

The value of the receipt will be determined by the Fair Market Value of the securities on the date the securities are received in the Foundation’s brokerage account, based on the market closing price for the day. If sold prior to the close of day, the Fair Market Value will be the sale value before commissions. In accordance with our Board Policy, securities will be sold as soon as possible.

Please note: Should the proposed changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax regime be implemented in 2024 and your reported income is more than $173,000/year, only 50% of the tax deductions can be claimed for gifts of stocks or securities.

Most donations of securities take between 3-5 business days. In some cases, due to the nature of the donated security, it can take up to four weeks before a tax receipt is issued. Please keep this in mind when you are considering your support.

The best time to donate is when you’re ready to give. If you are interested in having a tax receipt for a specific tax year, please keep in mind that between September 1 and December 31 is the busiest time of year for donations of securities. We suggest additional time to ensure your donation arrives by the end of the calendar year.

The benefit of donating publicly traded stocks and mutual funds through your will further reduces the tax impact on your estate. A donor can indicate in their will that the gift they are making to The Canadian Cancer Society should be made via securities.

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is a parallel tax calculation that allows fewer deductions, exemptions, and tax credits than under ordinary income tax rules. The taxpayer pays the AMT or regular tax, whichever is the higher.

The measures to change the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) were not included in the second and final Budget 2023 implementation bill, Bill C-59. The exclusion from Bill C-59 means implementation of the new AMT regime is delayed.

The following are the proposed changes; however, these changes are not currently in effect:

30% of capital gains on donated securities will be taxable

Only 50% of tax deductions can be claimed for gifts of stocks or securities

Yes. By making us aware of your transfer, we can inform our broker that it is coming and monitor the progress. This can help expediate the process.

For more information contact:

Kendal Clark
Coordinator, Leadership & Corporate Giving
kendal.clark@cancer.ca
securities@cancer.ca

For more information about donating securities to The Canadian Cancer Society please contact us at securities@cancer.ca, or contact Kendal Clark, Coordinator, Leadership & Corporate Giving via kendal.clark@cancer.ca.

Gifts of securities