ERIN – The Town of Erin has updated its policy for donations made to the town.
The updated policy outlines items such as eligibility for donation, receipts and amounts.
“This policy applies to donations made to the town in cash or in-kind. Donations may carry cost implications and must align with the town’s fiscal responsibility mandate and align with the objectives of the corporate strategic plan,” states the official donation policy.
In-kind donations – of property such as artwork, land, equipment, etc. – will be subject to review, at the town’s discretion, against the following criteria:
– alignment with the town’s priorities, mandates, strategies, business plans and vision or overall benefit to the community;
– compliance with all applicable bylaws, policies, legislation and conventions;
– conflict of interest or potential for an appearance of a conflict of interest;
– reputational risk associated with accepting a donation from a particular donor;
– consideration of political sensitivity;
– usefulness of the donation;
– condition and appraised value of the donation;
– evaluation of future cost, benefit and risks, including financial resources required for installation, storage, maintenance, insurance and other relevant costs; and
– availability for full and unencumbered transfer of ownership or title, supported by a donor release to allow for such a transfer of title.
“Donations will not be accepted from individuals or entities who have a concurrent application for a permit, licence or planning approval from the town or from persons who are bidding for a contract from the town through the procurement process,” states the policy.
The updated policy also outlines which donations qualify for an official income tax receipt. Qualifying donations must meet the following criteria:
– must be an actual transfer of property to the Town of Erin;
– must be a gift of property (e.g. money, artwork, equipment);
– must be freely given and not as a result of a contractual or legal obligation.
Donations that don’t qualify for an official income tax receipt include:
– donations that are given to the town intended as a flow through to a specified recipient who does not have charitable organization status;
– intangibles: non-monetary assets without physical substance, such as services, time, skills, effort;
– donations of business marketing products such as supplies and merchandise;
– sponsorship in the form of cash, goods or services toward an event, project, program or corporate asset, in return for commercial benefit;
– transfers of cash, property or assets resulting from a condition, such as a court order, or requirement of the Town’s approval process, such as a site plan or subdivision agreement;
– donations for which the FMV (fair market value) of the advantage or consideration provided to the donor exceeds 80% of the value of the donation; and
– a gift in-kind for which the FMV cannot be determined.
Cash donations will only be accepted at the town’s municipal office, located at 5684 Trafalgar Rd. just outside Hillsburgh.
Cheque donations must be made payable to “The Corporation of the Town of Erin” and mailed or dropped off to the town’s municipal office.
The full policy can be found on the Town of Erin website.
