Looking to donate to a charity? Be cautious of charity scams. Always do your research to verify that the charitable fund-raising business is a legitimate business.

• Who Needs a License?
• Legislation
• When Can a Fund-raising Business Call or Visit?
• Do Not Contact List
• What You Need to Know Before You Donate by Phone
• What You Need to Know Before You Donate in Person or Online
• Be Cautious of Charity Scams

 

Who Needs a License?

• Fundraising Businesses

  • The FCAA licenses for-profit charitable fund-raising businesses acting on behalf of a registered charity.
  • Check the list charitable fund-raising businesses licensed through the FCAA at https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/fcaa411.

• Charities

  • Charities that are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) can issue official donation receipts for tax purposes.
  • Check the list charities registered with the CRA at https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyBscSrch?request_locale=en.

 

Check the seller’s rating and customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau directory at https://www.bbb.org/ or call 1-888-352-7601.

 

Legislation

The activities and licensing of for-profit charitable fund-raising businesses are governed by:

•  The Charitable Fund-raising Businesses Act;  and
• The Charitable Fund-raising Businesses Regulations.

 

When Can a Fund-raising Business Call or Visit?

Charities and fund-raising businesses acting on behalf of a charity can only contact you between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

They are not allowed to call or visit outside of these hours.

 

Do Not Contact List

If you do not want a charity or fund-raising business to contact you, you can ask to have your name added to their Do Not Contact list.

This rule does not apply if you are contacted directly by an unpaid volunteer from the charity.

 

What You Need to Know Before You Donate by Phone

If you get a call asking for a donation, the caller must tell you:

• Who they work for

  • The name of the licensed business they are making the call on behalf of.

• Their role

  • If they are employed, they must say they work for that business to make solicitations.

• The charity’s name

  • The charitable organization your donation will support.

• Why your donation matters

  • The charitable purpose for which the donations will be used.

• Where your money goes

  • The area or region where your contribution will be used.

If you ask, the caller (or the business) must send you this information in writing, within 30 days of your request. Upon your request, the caller (or the business) must also provide you will the following information within 30 days:

• The name, address, telephone number, and, if applicable, the e-mail address and website address of the charitable organization on whose behalf solicitations are being made;

• The name, address and telephone number, and, if applicable, the e-mail address and website address of the charitable fund-raising business;

• The number on the licence of the charitable fund-raising business; and

• The remuneration being paid to:

  • the charitable fund-raising business; and

  • if a representative is involved in the campaign, the representative.

 

What You Need to Know Before You Donate in Person or Online

If someone asks you for a donation in person or online on behalf of a charity, they must provide you with this information before you donate:

• Who they are

  •  The name of the fund-raising business and the person asking for your donation.

• How to contact them

  •  The fund-raising business’s name, address, phone number, and, if applicable, their email address, and website.

• About the charity

  • The charity’s name, address, phone number, and, if applicable, their email address, and website.

• Why your donation matters

  • What the money will be used for.

• Where your money goes

  • The area or region where your contribution will be used.

• Costs

  • How much the fund-raising business and the canvasser are being paid.

If you ask, they must send you this information (excluding the canvasser’s name):

• In 12-point font or larger
• Within 30 days of your request

 

Be Cautious of Charity Scams

Make sure your donation is going to a real cause and not a scam.

• Verify registration

  • Verify that the charitable fund-raising business is registered with the FCAA by checking the FCAA’s 411 https://fcaa.gov.sk.ca/fcaa411.

• Be wary of high-pressure tactics

  • Legitimate charities typically do not pressure you to donate on the spot.

• Be cautious of vague details

  • Legitimate charities should be clear about their mission and use of funds.

• Use more secure donation methods

  • like PayPal or credit cards for safer transactions.