Donation FAQ

I’m a monthly donor—how and when will I get my tax receipt?

A consolidated tax receipt for all monthly contributions made this fiscal year will be emailed or mailed to you in February.

Your consolidated tax receipt will be sent by either mail or email, depending on your communications preferences with us.

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What is UNHCR Canada’s charitable registration number?

According to Canadian tax law and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), UNHCR Canada is a Qualified Donee. This means UNHCR Canada can issue tax receipts for donations received, despite not being a registered charity with a charitable registration number.

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What is the difference between Tax Credit and Tax Deduction?

It is important to note the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction before filing your taxes. Donors can claim those gifts on their taxes in exchange for tax credits (both federal and provincial).

Even though people often use the words interchangeably, a tax credit is different than a tax deduction (or ‘deductible’). A deduction is taken off your total income, lowering the overall amount you would be charged taxes on; a credit is taken off the total taxes you owe.

Charitable donations can help reduce, or even cancel out, the tax you would otherwise have to pay to the government.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website provides a handy online tax credit calculator you can use to predict what your credit could be when you file your taxes.

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What percentage of my donation goes towards helping refugees and displaced people worldwide?

At UNHCR, our mandate is to make sure that resources are used efficiently, which is why we’re able to allocate 86 cents of each dollar donated directly to the field to support refugees.

Our cash assistance program achieves an even higher rate with 93 to 97 cents of each dollar going directly to a refugee family in need.

For more information, visit our Distribution of Funds page.

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In which countries does UNHCR work?

UNHCR supports refugees and displaced people in more than 130 countries—in over 470 locations around the world.

From major capitals to remote, difficult locations, our 10,800 field staff are directly helping the most vulnerable people who have fled war, disaster or persecution. Please visit our Where We Work page for more information on specific countries and how you can help.

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Can I designate my donation to a specific region or program?

We can designate one-time donations to a particular country we work in, to a particular theme of work globally, or to the area of greatest need. Please see the current list of emergencies and programs we are raising money for.

Our regular donors give unrestricted funds on a monthly basis. Unrestricted donations are the best way to support refugees and displaced people, as it allows UNHCR to be flexible and respond to areas of greatest need quickly and efficiently. Unrestricted gifts also enable UNHCR staff to ensure that all emergency and ongoing situations receive adequate funding.

If you have questions about the designation of your gifts or would like to designate a gift to a country/situation you do not see on our website, please contact our Donor Care team via email at donorcare.unhcr.ca or call us at 1-877-232-0909.

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What communications will I receive as a monthly donor?

Monthly donors receive regular news, reports, emails and mailings on the impact their gifts are making for refugees worldwide.

Monthly donors also receive our donor magazine, REFUGE, twice a year and an exclusive donor report once a year. If you would rather receive an e-version of the magazine or donor report, then please let our Donor Care team know by sending an email to donorcare@unhcr.ca or by calling our Donor Care line on 1-877-232-0909.

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I want to upgrade my monthly donation—how can I do that?

To upgrade or modify the amount of your monthly donation, you can fill out this online form. Our Donor Care team will receive the information and update your monthly gift amount accordingly. If you prefer to update your gift over the phone, you can call our Donor Care line on 1-877-232-0909.

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I want to update my personal or banking details—how can I do that?

To update personal contact information such as address, phone number or email address, please email donorcare@unhcr.ca and one of our Donor Care representatives will confirm that these details have been updated.

We advise to never send bank or credit card details over email—please call our secure Donor Care line on 1-877-232-0909 and we will securely update those details for you.

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I need to pause or cancel my monthly gift—how can I do this?

Your ongoing monthly donation is a huge lifeline to refugee families, however we understand that sometimes monthly giving is not a viable option for everyone. To pause your monthly donations for a period of time, or cancel your monthly donations, please email donorcare@unhcr.ca or call our Donor Care team on 1-877-232-0909 and they will make this change.

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When will I receive my tax receipt?

Monthly donors receive one tax receipt in February, which consolidates the amount of monthly gifts in the previous financial year. Your consolidated tax receipt will be mailed or emailed to you, based on your communications preferences with us.

If you make any additional one-time donations, you will receive a tax receipt in the mail or by email, depending on how you gave.

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How can I stay in the loop with UNHCR’s work around the world and in Canada?

You can sign up to receive e-mails from UNHCR. When a crisis occurs, you will be one of the first people to know what is happening on the ground, how UNHCR offers humanitarian aid and how you can help save lives.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

15 How can I change my communication preferences with UNHCR?

You can change your communication preferences at any time by emailing us at donorcare@unhcr.ca or by calling us toll-free at 1-877-232-0909.

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How can I change my communication preferences with UNHCR?

You can change your communication preferences at any time by emailing us at donorcare@unhcr.ca or by calling us toll-free at 1-877-232-0909.

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I never signed up to receive communications from UNHCR. How did you get my mailing information?

If you have never signed up to UNHCR mailings, it is likely you received a prospect appeal for an emergency. We collect names and mailing information from a variety of like-minded agencies and list-rentals.

If you’d like to be taken off our mailing list, please email donorcare@unhcr.ca or call 1-877-232-0909 and let us know the name and address you would like taken off the list.

Please note that we do not trade, rent or sell our mailing lists with other organizations.

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