One thing we know for certain is that Victoria Women’s Transition House Society donors continue to be as generous and loyal as ever! And for this we are grateful.

• How to Donate
• Other Ways to Give

Make a Donation

The Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, working collaboratively with many community organizations, provides shelter, support, counselling and education to women of all ages, with or without children, so that they can live free from the effects of abuse in intimate relationships. The Society strives to prevent and eliminate abuse through education, advocacy and partnerships.

Your contribution will help ensure that women who are in abusive relationships and their children have support, a safe caring place to stay, and hope for the future. Our shelter services are offered at no cost and are available 24—hours a day, 365 days a year.

How to Donate

Make a Cash Donation

Gifts of Cash by Cheque, Money Order

A gift of cash is the most common way to make a charitable gift. The Victoria Women’s Transition House Society (VWTHS) accepts cheques and money orders. Some employers may match charitable gifts made by current and retired employees, an effective way to increase the impact of your donation.

You can make a donation by completing our donation form along with your payment method and mailing it to the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society at:

100—3060 Cedar Hill Road
Victoria BC V8T 3J5

Or call us with your credit card information at:

(250) 592-2927 extension 214 or extension 210

DID YOU KNOW?
Transition House has teamed up with CanadaHelps.org to offer donors the option of giving online. Click on “Donate Now,” for a fast secure way to make your gift.

Donate Online

Transition House has teamed up with CanadaHelps.org to offer donors the option of giving online. Click on “Donate Now,” for a fast secure way to make your gift.

You can make a credit card donation through Canada Helps* by clicking on the link below:

Having an opportunity to thank our donors and keep them up to date on how we are using their donations is very important to us. When making your online gift, we ask you to please consider having Canada Helps notify us of your donation by making the selection to have Transition House send you an acknowledgement.

• By making your online gift through Canada Helps, you will receive your charitable tax receipt directly from them.

Monthly or Quarterly Giving

Monthly or quarterly giving is convenient, easy and very cost—effective. A monthly or quarterly gift will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference on an ongoing basis.

Other Ways to Give

Charitable giving can combine a sense of personal satisfaction with significant financial benefits through tax credits or, for businesses, tax deductions. The following information provides an overview of some additional charitable giving options available to Canadian donors. This is a general guide and does not address the many issues that can apply to individual situations. We suggest you consult with your legal and tax advisors before finalizing a significant charitable gift.

Gifts of Public Securities

Gifts of public shares or mutual funds are a tax effective way of giving if the securities have a capital gain and they are transferred directly to the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society (the Society). The donor receives a charitable tax receipt for the full market value of the gifted securities, but for tax purposes none of the capital gain is included in the donor’s income.

Remembering us in your Will

A charitable bequest is a gift in your Will that the Society receives after your death. Consult with the Society before establishing your bequest to ensure your wishes can be carried out as directed in your Will.

RRSP and RRIF Proceeds

All or a portion of RRSPs and RRIFs can be designated directly to the VWTHS for payment following your death. Assets can be transferred directly to the Society, providing savings on probate and other estate fees. It is also possible to make the RRIF or RRSP payable to your estate and to gift all or a portion to the Society as a bequest.

Gifts of Life Insurance

By using life insurance, you can make a significant gift to the VWTHS with a minimal outlay of current savings or income. There are many ways that life insurance can be used to structure charitable gifts, but here are the two most popular:

You can donate a new or existing policy by transferring ownership to the VWTHS. Upon transfer, the Society will issue a charitable tax receipt for the cash surrender value. In addition, you will receive a charitable tax receipt for any premium payments you make following the transfer if the policy is not yet fully paid for. This gift is irrevocable and creates tax benefits for you during your lifetime. Therefore, your estate will not receive a charitable tax receipt when the policy proceeds are paid to the Society after your death.

Alternatively, you can designate the VWTHS as the beneficiary of a policy without transferring ownership of the policy. On your death, the Society will receive the policy proceeds and your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt. In this situation, your premium payments are not eligible for a charitable tax receipt. The policy proceeds will go directly to the Society and will not be subject to probate and other estate fees. The beneficiary designation is revocable and can be changed at any time.

Charitable Gifts plus Annuity

If you rely on interest from investments such as GICs and term deposits for your income, and have seen your after—tax income decrease due to low interest rates and high taxes, you could consider using an annuity to help you make a charitable gift. You transfer assets to the VWTHS authorizing it to purchase a commercial annuity that will pay a stipulated amount for the remainder of your life, and that of your spouse if you wish. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the balance of the assets not used to purchase the annuity. Some donors also purchase life insurance payable to their estate. The insurance usually equals the amount paid to the Society so that the estate’s value is maintained for children and other estate beneficiaries.

Gifts of Tangible Personal Property

Donors can make contributions to the VWTHS through gifts of personal property. An independent appraisal by a qualified appraiser is required for gifts valued over $1,000. These gifts may be subject to special rules under the Income Tax Act. It is important to consult with the Society as well as your legal and tax advisors to assist you in making an appropriate gift.

Other Special Gifts

There are other types of gifts, such as real estate and private company shares and debt, all of which have special legal and tax considerations. It is important to consult with the VWTHS as well as your legal and tax advisors to assist you in making an appropriate gift.

Next Steps

Please call 250-592-2927 extension 210 and ask to speak with the Director of Development if you wish to support the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society. We will be pleased to discuss with you in detail your charitable interests and to work with your legal and tax advisors in structuring a gift that suits your personal situation.

Wish List

The Victoria Women’s Transition House Society relies on gifts of many types from many generous donors in our community. We have created this Wish List as a guideline to let you know our greatest needs.

Thank you for your care and concern for the women and children of Transition House.

Wish List

Clothing

• New or ready to wear and seasonally appropriate clothing
• New underwear, socks and nightwear

Electronics/Small household appliances

• All modern items in working order and that meet current safety standards

Toys

• For safety and hygiene standards, we can only accept new toys

Food items, Toiletries and Cosmetics

• Healthy snacks for children’s lunches: juice boxes, cereal bars, fruit cups, crackers, canned soup, fruits, vegetables
• Cereal, food staples, tea, coffee
• We accept donations of new regular sized toiletries and cosmetics

Items that are always needed

• New pajamas, socks, slippers, underwear
• Books, music/entertainment tapes/CD’s
• Backpacks, umbrellas*
• Disposable diapers, baby supplies
• Phone cards, small stereos*
• Hobby/art supplies
• New car or booster seats, CSA approved*
• Entertainment/relaxation videos
• Children’s art supplies
• Book “Getting Free,” by G. NiCarthy*
• Writing Journals
• Baby monitors, radio alarm clocks*
• New gift bags or wrap for birthdays or other occasions

Additional Items

• Bath towels, face cloths*
• Single—size bed sheets, comforters, quilts, blankets, spreads, lap fleece blankets or throws*
• Crib bedding
• New pillows, new foamies for single beds
• Gift certificates — books, movies, massage, spa/aesthetics, food etc.
• Recreation passes — gym, swimming, bowling
• BC Transit monthly bus pass or tickets
• Rechargeable 9V batteries for baby monitors
• Hair dryers and curling irons
• Dinnerware/kitchenware* (microwave and dishwasher safe)

*Used items are acceptable in clean and functional condition

Donations can also be dropped off at our Community Office located at #100 — 3060 Cedar Hill Road.

Other agencies that accept used items for women and children

• WIN Thrift Stores
• Most neighborhood Community Centres and Church Thrift Shops
• St Vincent de Paul
• Salvation Army
• Value Village

Please note that due to space and physical constraints, we are unable to accept large furniture or appliance donations. Major thrift shops listed above would be possible options.

Thank You!

Donation Form

• Victoria Women’s Transition House Society - Donation Form (.pdf)