A proposal to extend the charitable donation deadline has some Alberta non-profits and charities feeling more optimistic after a challenging fundraising season.
The proposal by the federal government would extend the deadline to the end of February so Canadians could still claim donations on their 2024 tax returns.
The move is meant to help charities impacted by the four-week postal strike that ended last month.
Alberta Lung, which largely depends on mail-in donations from an older donor base, was among the groups that lobbied for the move.
Executive director Louise Allard said they reached only about 40 per cent of this year’s fundraising goal, most of which comes by mail during the holiday season.
“We’re getting lots of phone calls with people saying I still want to send my donation and will it still be eligible for 2024?” Allard said in an interview Sunday.
Alberta Lung is currently fundraising to build a new $15 million recovery centre.
Several non-profits in Alberta — including the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Leduc Community Hospital Foundation and Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter — have promoted the proposed extension as a way to garner donations.
The Liberal government plans to introduce legislation to extend the deadline when MPs return to parliament Jan. 27.
But it’s unclear how long the minority government will be able to stay in power.
“It’s not a done deal yet so I’m cautiously optimistic it will go through,” Allard said.
‘May cause confusion’
Executive director Marjorie Bencz said it will be interesting to see if a donation deadline extension impacts Edmonton’s Food Bank, where food donations are sitting just over two-thirds of their goal and hamper demand has doubled in the past two years.
“This may cause confusion for donors and charities because there wasn’t a lot of information coming out,” Bencz said. “If they extend until the end of February this year, what will happen moving forward?”
She said the postal strike created challenges, but mainly around the ability promote.
But Bencz said ultimately what needs to be addressed are root issues around affordable housing, income support, and livable wages.
“We need governments, all levels of governments, to come to the table and address it.”
