Salt Spring’s nonprofit community is keen to advise islanders that while the return of mail service might come too late for many Christmas parcels, there is still time to get in much-needed charitable donations before year’s end.
Mail carriers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) who went on strike Friday, Nov. 15 returned to work on Dec. 17, notably heralding the return of languishing bills and print newspapers. But for nonprofits running annual end-of-year fundraising campaigns, it’s a race to reach donors who prefer traditional mailing to online transactions.
ArtSpring communications and donor engagement manager Kirsten Bolton said next to the Treasure Fair, ArtSpring’s Annual Appeal is the organization’s most important fundraising campaign –– and by the first week of December, donations were down 35 to 40 per cent compared to previous years. That led to a quick scramble for outreach alternatives, she added, including email lists and social media.
“Within a week, the push is seeing an influx of donations that is starting to make up the shortfall, which is encouraging,” said Bolton, noting ArtSpring’s final day before its holiday closure –– and the last day to physically drop off a cheque –– is Friday, Dec. 20, although several online avenues will remain open through the new year.
The Salt Spring Island Foundation has also encouraged people to drop off cheques at their office at 158A Fulford-Ganges Rd. by Dec. 20, recognizing that not everyone is comfortable with online donation methods.
Many nonprofits on Salt Spring have become creative in getting their messages out during the strike, including several efforts to transform traditional mail campaigns into in-person requests. Bolton said while ArtSpring had focused on pointing out ways people could skip the mail and give “remotely” –– including by phone, credit cards online, through CanadaHelps or via secure e-transfer –– those “ground game” campaigns were indicative of the needs island nonprofits have found unmet during the strike.
“I even had a surprise envelope from the wildlife rescue people tied to my fence today,” said Bolton, “with a green ribbon saying it was ‘hand-delivered.’”
A charitable donation tax credit can be claimed for donations made until Dec. 31 for the 2024 tax year, according to the Canada Revenue Agency, as can any unclaimed donations made in the last five years.