Donate

Supporting people to be valued citizens is at the heart of what we do

Donate to Skills Society and make a difference

When you choose to support Skills Society, you join us in transforming the lives of people with disabilities.

You say ‘yes’ to tackling isolation and marginalization. You commit to innovative models of support – moving from ‘providers of a service’ to partners in the lives of people with disabilities. And you change how we all view people with disabilities – not as a burden to society, but as valued citizens who all contribute to a rich and vibrant community.

The Edmonton Police recognizing Jason “Captain Community” for his efforts to keep his neighbors safe

Many in our community are not aware that Skills Society is underfunded and relies on support from community. Now more than ever we need your support because there are many activities and initiatives we have to undertake that we are not funded for. Your investment helps us help people with disabilities to lead full, productive lives.

Partner, collaborate and contribute to ensuring people with disabilities are not isolated, nor forgotten in our shared communities. Your contribution helps the almost 400 citizens we serve to not just survive but thrive in community.

There are many ways you can support our work – and we appreciate any contribution you can make.

If you are interested in learning more about how your gift can support the work of Skills Society, please email giving@skillssociety.ca.

Impact

  1. To see how your contribution will make an impact, review the video stories linked below of people we serve and how our services helped them live full lives. Stories from folks we serve

  2. Review our internationally recognized change making initiatives supported and funded by people and organizations like you - Projects and Initiatives

  3. Review our reports

  4. Learn more about the fund development culture we’re stewarding - here

Skills Society’s Charitable Registration number is #107984403 RR0001. At Skills Society, we abide by the AFP Donor Bill of Rights.



Ways to Give

  • Skills Society accepts gifts in the form of cash or cheque forwarded directly to the Skills Society offices (please do NOT mail cash). Please make gifts payable to: Skills Society Edmonton.

    Gifts can also be made online through our Skills Society donation form, a secure and affordable online gifting option. Charitable tax receipts are provided.

    Donors can also designate their annual United Way gift to the Skills Society Edmonton.

  • Donors who wish to spread their gift out over the year may do so by signing up for Skills Society’s monthly giving program. This can be done through our Skills Society donation form.

    A gift of $25 per month will add up to $300 over the year. The donor will receive a charitable tax receipt at the end of the tax year.

  • When you rent the action lab and/or retain our facilitation services, you support the employment of people with disabilities and help to generate unrestricted revenue for Skills Society. This revenue fills the gaps in our funding and ensures people with disabilities are safe and can thrive.

    Learn more and consider booking the lab for your next workshop, retreat, or meeting.

    Learn more or book the lab here

  • Many people are employed by, retired from, or directors of companies that match charitable contributions. Donors are encouraged to submit a company-matching gift form with their gift.

  • Gifts in kind may take many forms and need to be discussed with Skills Society prior to being gifted. Gifts in kind may include gifts of shares or other assets, products, or items of value.

    Gifts valued at less than $1,000 require an appraisal from a qualified employee of Skills. Gifts valued at $1,000 or more require an appraisal from an external appraiser approved by Skills who is qualified to determine the item’s fair market value. The cost, if any, of this appraisal is to be borne by the donor.

  • Bequests are one of the simplest ways to make a larger gift to Skills Society than one might be able to make during one’s lifetime.

    As they near retirement, many individuals discover they have assets in excess of what their families and loved ones now require. Individuals can make a gift to Skills Society in their will and feel confident that their support will continue even after they are gone.

    Sample bequest language is available to individuals and lawyers. Please contact us at giving@skillssociety.ca for more information.

  • There are various methods by which a life insurance policy may be contributed to Skills.

    A donor may assign to Skills Society ownership of a paid-up policy that names Skills Society as beneficiary: A charitable tax receipt is issued for the current cash surrender value of the policy at the time the gift is made.

    A donor may assign to Skills Society ownership of a life insurance policy that names Skills Society as beneficiary on which premiums remain to be paid: A charitable tax receipt is issued for the cash surrender value of the policy and an annual receipt for the premiums for as long as the donor continues to pay them.

    A donor may name Skills Society as a primary or successor beneficiary of the proceeds: A charitable tax receipt is issued for the value of the death benefit received and may be used to offset other taxes in the year of death.

  • Special tax savings are available for donors who make gifts of publicly traded securities and units/shares in mutual funds that have appreciated in value. In order to receive these special tax savings, donors must donate the actual securities or shares (not sell them and donate the cash value).

    Gifts “in-kind” of publicly traded securities:

    Donors are not required to pay tax on the capital gain that results from the gift

    Donors receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the securities on the day Skills Society receives them

    This gift may cost less than one might think.

  • There are many other gifts that Skills Society may accept to support its vision and mission, including charitable remainder trusts and reinsured charitable annuities.

    Significant gifts to charity should be made with the best interests of the donor and the donor’s family in mind, including financial and estate plans. Donors are encouraged to begin these discussions with their professional advisor and to continue those discussions with Skills Society to ensure their wishes will be realized once the gift is made.

 

Leadership

Request for Information

If you would like to know more about Skills Society and how your donations are used, fill out the form below and we will send you our donation information package.