Donations to skaters?

[schnood]

We all know training is very expensive, and not every skater has endorsements, etc.

I would like to know how I might make a donation to my favourite Canadian skater....without jeopardizing their eligibility.

Thank you.

[Pupiczech]

We used to sponsor a Canadian skater. We sent money directly to the rink where he trained in his name. We also had the store where he bought his skates call us when he needed something and we would pay for it with our credit card over the phone. Sometimes we would pay for his skate sharpening.

[Judyith Katie]

Many skaters are now accepting donations so you need not worry about putting there eligiblility in jepordy. Many just receive checks that are sent to them, also you can do fundraisers and then send the money as a gift right before a competition. Usually you can contact their agents as well if you want to double check that such a gift would be allowed and appreciated

[Jen]

Check out Skater Support (www.skatersupport.org). If the skater you wish to sponsor is there, you can send a check to the given mailing address. There are also some general Canadian training funds on the site that you might be able to use to get money to the skater.

Jen

[Josef]

I'm currently running a fundraiser for Anabelle Langlois & Patrice Archetto, along with my friend Sarah. Honestly, donations haven't been going too well and there's only a few weeks left in which we will be accepting them. Donations can be strictly monetary or you can buy a Beanie Baby or two with 75% of the funds going directly to Anabelle and Patrice. (list of Beanies at http://www.geocities.com/sfskating/beanies.htm ) Please consider participating in this fundraiser! It will mean a lot to them.. Every little bit helps. :)

[schnood]

Thank you for the information :)

[what?meworry?]

the usfsa memorial fund provides opportunities for contributions to clubs (tax deductibel) or specific skaters (not tax deductible) with 10% contribution from the contribution to usfsa memorial fund in general taken from the amount.

additionally, the "new england amature skaters foundation (neasf) have over many years provided a forum for contributions to skaters/teams that are tax deductible. i believe they can manage both us and canadian accounts.

some individual clubs also have fund accounts (but the tax deductibility thing must always be investigated for each club based on it's charter or incorporation papers). i would expect canadian clubs would be similarly structured; not all uniformly, but some may be able to hold general accounts from which contributions would be directed as per the interests of the contributor.

having contributed to skaters/teams myself, i've learned enough to know that it is relatively easy to make tax-deductible contributions for mutual benefit if you take the time to investigate the options.

one thing that is a "no-no" is the parents taking tax deductions for contributions through such organizations. however, grandparents have been doing so for many years!

do try to help your favorite skater/team whether tax deductible or not---many of them really need the help and would be ever so grateful!

[JD]

You can send the money to them care of skate Canada. A couple of prominant business people last year in our community expressed interest in assisting with our daughter's training costs after she was featured in the Bank of Montreal skating series and was interviewed by local TV and papers. When we investigated it, Skate Canada told us that money can be sent to Skate Canada for specific skaters care of the Athletes Trust. This is how your donor gets a tax deduction. But if you don't name your skater, it goes into the general Athletes Trust fund. So we instructed them, and our little one since last year has been sponsored by two different businesses for a nice sum with ongoing commitment this year....and every bit helps...however, you can also send it to their skating club with their name on it, but unless their club has a charitable tax number, you will not get the deduction. So Skate Canada is better. Hope this helps you.

[Big Guy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JD
[B]Skate Canada told us that money can be sent to Skate Canada for specific skaters care of the Athletes Trust. This is how your donor gets a tax deduction. But if you don't name your skater, it goes into the general Athletes Trust fund.

Are sure about this? I understand that a business can donate to Skate Canada or even to a specific skater through Skate Canada but there are no tax deductions available the donation is simply a gift.

[JD]

Yes, you can. note the charitable tax number on the form. If they have the number, any club can issue a tax receipt. For SC, you just have to place the name of the skater underneath the amount or beside the "athletes trust" checkmark, or on the check when you send it.

This is how it has worked for us, and yes, our donors put donations through their businesses.
But to my understanding, when I inquired into the legalities of it, was that individuals can too.

See the link:
http://www.skatecanada.ca/english/about/surveys/trustdonation.html

Hope that helps....JD

the form:
Athlete Trust Fund / Hall of Fame Trust Donation Form

YES, I would like to support Canadian Athletes.

Enclosed is my donation in the amount of $__________________



Athlete Trust Fund
"Dedicated to the financial assistance in the development of future Canadian World
and Olympic Champions"


Hall of Fame Trust
"Dedicated to preserving and honouring individuals' outstanding contributions to
Canada's skating heritage"


Please send an official tax receipt to:
Name:
__________________________________________________ _____
Address:
__________________________________________________ _____
City/Province:
__________________________________________________ _____
Postal Code:
_______________________


Please make cheque payable to the Skate Canada Athlete Trust or Skate Canada Hall
of Fame Trust and send with this form to:
Skate Canada
865 Shefford Road
Gloucester, Ontario K1J 1H9

Registered Charity # 0495010-80-10

[JD]

I think I remember members services telling me the catch was that you cannot donate to your own family members this way and simply giving money to Skate Canada won't work, must be though or c/of the Athletes Trust, as far as I remember it.Hope this helps you.