The Wilderness Committee receives more than 90 per cent of its funds from individual donors like you. Our policies and procedures help guide our work and foster trust and create a safe place to have powerful conversations about how we want to put our values into action. 

Whether your gift is a donation of cash, stocks or other investments, a gift by will or a donor-advised fund, or one made in tribute or via a payroll deduction, our Gift Acceptance Policy details in full how each is administered. The ethical guidelines below ensure alignment of our shared values with the mission of the Wilderness Committee, honour your intentions, and keep you informed how your gift is being put to work for wildlife and wilderness. 

Types of gifts we accept

We gratefully receive: 

• Donations of cash and fund transfers
• Gifts of stocks, bonds, real estate or other tangible assets or goods
• Gifts by will or estate, or in trust
• Matched gifts In memory or tribute gifts
• Donor-Advised Funds Gifts where Wilderness Committee is named a beneficiary ie, TFSA or RRSP
• Charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities or gifts of residual interests, with minimum amounts (due to administration)

Please consult our gift acceptance policy for further details. 

Financial transparency

The Wilderness Committee wants you to feel confident in the trust you place in us. 

• We issue tax receipts in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency regulations and guidelines and are committed to financial transparency.
• If you wish to remain anonymous we will not disclose your name unless you have given us permission to do so.
• We maintain a Privacy Policy and do not sell, rent, share or trade any donor information. 

Please notify us, so your wishes are heard, respected, and acknowledged. 

Ethical considerations

The Wilderness Committee appreciates that some kinds of gifts represent a big decision on your part and we are honoured to be considered. 

Together, we will ensure your gift: 

• Aligns with and supports the mission, values and activities of the organization
• Ensures the Wilderness Committee and its activities are not restricted or burdened (financially or otherwise) or its reputation put at risk
• Contains no restrictions, limitations or specific instructions the Wilderness Committee would be unable to administer or implement Respects international, federal, provincial laws and human rights

Corporate gift policy

The Wilderness Committee does not accept gifts directly from corporate entities. We do however accept matched gifts where initiated by an employee. This is to ensure the voice, actions, accountability and responsiveness of the Wilderness Committee is in no way compromised and that our mission remains unencumbered by the influences of corporate goals, priorities or activities. 

Local business donor policy

The Wilderness Committee encourages and celebrates relationships with local community businesses. Often, these relationships evolve organically between local businesses and the Wilderness Committee, or between local branches of corporate brands and Wilderness Committee representatives. 

The Wilderness Committee has a corporate screen through which all gift and fundraising opportunities are screened to ensure that the goals and activities of the Wilderness Committee will not be compromised in or by the relationship with the local business and to outline the proper use of our logo and brand. 

Contact us and let us know your ideas for local business fundraising for the Wilderness Committee. 

Donor bill of rights

The Wilderness Committee adheres to the principles of donor relations outlined in the International Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Donor Bill of Rights. Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. 

To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights: 

1. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers. 

Find a policy — we celebrate informed donors

Links below provide detailed information and policies that guide our relationship with you, hold us accountable, and maintain your trust in us. 

• Gift Acceptance Policy — gift administration guidelines
• Privacy Policy — how we use your information and maintain your privacy
• Financial statements — view audited financial statements since 2013
• Annual reports — view annual reports since 1989 General Donation
• FAQs — most-requested information