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Imagine Canada Ethical Code Program

Donor policies and public representations
1. The charity prepares and issues official Income Tax receipts for monetary gifts and for gifts-in-kind pursuant to any policy established and published on minimum amounts to be receipted and in compliance with all regulatory requirements. The charity will acknowledge in writing contributions not entitled to be officially receipted, subject to any policy established and published on minimum amounts to be acknowledged.
  
  SickKids Foundation: All gifts are eligible for a tax receipt from SickKids Foundation. Gifts received by mail or in person over $20 receive a paper receipt. Online donations receive e-receipts for amounts of $10 or more.
  
  Receipts Issued One Time Monthly
  
  Gifts Within 10 business days After conclusion of calendar year; mid-February
  
  Online Gifts Within one hour After conclusion of calendar year; mid January
2. All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of the charity disclose the charity's name and the purpose for which funds are requested. Printed and on-line solicitations (however transmitted) will include its address or other contact information.
  
  SickKids Foundation: All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of SickKids Foundation disclose the SickKids Foundation name and the purpose for which funds are requested. Printed and on-line solicitations include the SickKids Foundation logo and address.
3. The charity provides the following information promptly upon request:
  - the charity's most recent annual report and financial statements as approved by the governing board
  - The charity's registration number (BN) as assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
  - Any information contained in the public portion of the charity's most recent Charity Information Return (form T3010A) as submitted to CRA
  - A copy of the Charity’s Investment Policy relating to its investable assets, if applicable (see C8);
  - A list of the names of the members of the charity's governing board
  - A copy of this Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code.
  SickKids Foundation: Copies of all material listed above are available in print and electronic formats. Requests for these documents can be made by contacting Public Affairs at 416-813-6166 or by email to publicaffairs@sickkidsfoundation.com.
4. The charity or those fundraising on its behalf will disclose, upon request, whether an individual or entity soliciting contributions is a volunteer, an employee or a contracted third party.
  
  SickKids Foundation: All employees and contracted third party fundraisers (e.g. direct dialogue and door-to-door fundraisers) have photo identification cards bearing the SickKids Foundation logo. Anyone can call Public Affairs at 416-813-8292 to confirm if an individual is a legitimate volunteer fundraiser.
5. The charity will encourage donors to seek independent advice if the proposed gift is a Planned Gift and/or the charity has any reason to believe that the proposed gift might significantly affect the donor's financial position, taxable income, or relationship with other family members.
  
  SickKids Foundation: Our fundraising practices adhere to professional codes of conduct including those of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, and the Law Society of Ontario. In situations where SickKids Foundation has reason to believe the proposed gift might significantly affect the donors’ financial position, taxable income, or relationship with family members, the individual is encouraged to seek independent advice.
6. The charity will honour donors' requests to remain anonymous in respect to:
  - being publicly identified as a supporter of the organization; and/or
  - having the amount of their contribution publicly disclosed.
  [Guidance: In some circumstances, when the source or size of a donation may be perceived as affecting the independence of the charity, the organization may negotiate the terms of public disclosure.]
  
  SickKids Foundation: SickKids Foundation does not identify or comment publicly on specific donor contributions without the expressed consent of the donor.
7. The privacy of donors will be respected. Any donor records that are maintained by the charity will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.
  
  SickKids Foundation: Foundation employees sign employment agreements with confidentiality provisions as a condition of hire. Safeguards are in place to ensure that the information is not accessed, disclosed or shared more widely than is necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was gathered. The Foundation also takes measures to ensure the integrity of this information is maintained and to prevent its being lost or destroyed. Individuals may access their personal information to ensure that it is correct and current. The Foundation’s privacy policy is available on request and is easily found on the SickKids Foundation's web site: www.sickkidsfoundation.com.
8. If the charity exchanges, rents, or otherwise shares its fundraising lists with other organizations, a donor’s request to be excluded from the list will be honoured.
  
  SickKids Foundation: As part of our Privacy Policy, SickKids Foundation does not sell, rent, or trade our donor lists.
9. Solicitations by or on behalf of the charity will treat donors and prospective donors with respect. Every effort will be made to honour their requests to:
  - limit the frequency of solicitations;
  - not be solicited by telephone or other technology;
  - receive printed material concerning the charity;
  - discontinue solicitations where it is indicated they are unwanted or a nuisance.
  SickKids Foundation: The Donor Services team at SickKids Foundation responds to all requests from donors and the general public. All requests are directed to the appropriate fundraising team and/or recorded in the donor’s file. In addition, the Foundation has a master complaint tracking system in place to review the appropriate and timely handling of all complaints.
10. Recognition mechanisms created due to a gift will not be arbitrarily changed or withdrawn. Unless otherwise negotiated at the time of the gift or changed through a joint agreement between the charity and the donor or the donor’s family or legal representative, the original form of the recognition mechanism should be maintained. If the mechanism cannot be physically retained, it will be changed to another consistent with the original agreement. If continuation of the recognition creates a reputational risk for the charity, it may be terminated or altered.
  
  [Guidance: The charity’s Donor Recognition/Gift Acceptance Policy may be referred to in a gift agreement and may define recognition time limits and/or establish procedures if maintaining the original form of recognition becomes impractical or undesirable.]
  
  SickKids Foundation: Signed gift agreements are approved by all parties to the agreements and maintained in a central database.
11. The charity will respond promptly to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter that is addressed in this Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code.
  
  SickKids Foundation: All inquiries about the participation of SickKids Foundation in the Imagine Canada Ethical Code Program are directed to the Director, Public Affairs. Calls are returned within 48 hours.

Receipts Issued	One Time	Monthly
Gifts	Within 10 business days	After conclusion of calendar year; mid-February
Online Gifts	Within one hour	After conclusion of calendar year; mid January

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