You’re More Than Just a Donor. You’re a Changemaker. 

A GiveWise Giving Fund operates on the principles of what many know as a Donor-Advised Fund. Think of it as a charitable savings account.

When you contribute donations to your Giving Fund, you secure an immediate tax deduction donation receipt. From there, you have the freedom to direct grants from your fund to almost any qualified public charity.

But here's where we're distinctively Canadian: at GiveWise, we've customized this concept to suit the needs and values of our Canadian community.

Our approach simplifies the donation process, providing an effective platform to organize, manage, and enhance your charitable contributions. It's about ensuring your good intentions create the most significant possible impact.

Opting for GiveWise empowers you in your charitable journey in ways direct giving can't. First off, it grants you the luxury of time. You get the immediate tax benefit from your contribution, but you also have the freedom to thoroughly research and decide which charities align best with your values. 

Financially speaking, our fee structure is designed with you in mind. For giving accounts holding $25,000 or less, we don’t charge any fees for processing donations (and for accounts over $25,000, our administrative fees to manage your funds tops out at just 1%). 

There are also a bunch of other benefits. We offer a consolidated tax receipt, so there's no more sifting through piles of individual receipts come tax time. For those who value privacy, we give you the choice to donate anonymously. If you want to donate securities or other complex assets, we ensure the process is smooth and hassle-free. 

All of these advantages are wrapped up in the GiveWise platform, making your philanthropic efforts efficient, effective, and enjoyable. In essence, GiveWise isn't just a new donation method; it's like creating and managing your very own charitable trust fund.

No, once contributions are made to your GiveWise Giving Fund, they become irrevocable charitable gifts. This means you cannot withdraw them for personal use.

However, you do have the flexibility to direct those funds to qualified Canadian charities of your choice, ensuring your donations have the intended impact. Remember, your contributions are immediately eligible for a tax deduction once deposited into your Giving Fund.

Absolutely not! While GiveWise Giving Funds (and Donor-Advised Funds in general) are appealing to high-net-worth individuals for tax planning, they're tools designed for anyone passionate about making a difference, regardless of the donation size. While some DAFs require a minimum contribution in the thousands to get started. You can setup your GiveWise account today and choose how much to contribute later. 

Limited Time Offer: Contribute just $50 and we’ll match your first donation with an additional $50 for you to gift to your charity of choice!

To celebrate your journey with us, we'll add $50 to your first donation of $50 or more when you open GiveWise Giving Fund. Create your account (it takes less than two minutes!) and contribute your first $50 donation by whichever method you prefer – e-transfer, credit card, bank transfer, cheque.

Once the funds are in your GiveWise account, We’ll match your first $50 and deposit an additional $50 into your Giving Fund within seven days.

Opening and maintaining a Giving Fund with GiveWise is free for balances under $25,000. For balances that exceed this amount, an administration fee is applied based on the balance at the start of each month. Here's a breakdown of the fee structure:

$0 to $25,000: No Fee

$25,001 to $500,000: 1.0% per annum

$500,001 to $1,500,000: 0.5% per annum

$1,500,001 and above: 0.3% per annum

For a deeper dive into our fees, visit our Fees page.

It's also important to note that any processing fees incurred from banks and credit card companies for incoming contributions will be recouped by GiveWise. These fees will not impact the amount on your tax receipt but will be deducted from the Fund Balance.

For instance, credit card contributions typically have a processing fee—charged directly by the payment processor—of about 2.2% of the contribution plus an additional $.30 per transaction. Certain cards, such as AMEX and those issued by non-Canadian institutions, might have slightly higher fees.

Absolutely. One of the standout features of a donor-advised fund like GiveWise’s Giving Fund is its tax efficiency. 

You receive a tax receipt instantly when you contribute to your GiveWise Giving Fund. Your Fund can grows tax-free over time if it is over $25,000, maximizing its potential. This means more funds are available for the causes you care about. 

Also, during unpredictable economic times, like the ups and downs of running a business, GiveWise ensures you can maintain a steady giving rhythm. So, in good years, you can contribute more, ensuring that your generosity remains consistent even when times are tough.

Yes, and we encourage it! If you maintain a balance of twenty-five thousand dollars or more, you can bring your financial advisor into the fold. 

This collaboration allows your charitable funds to grow over time, just like your personal investments. The ownership of these assets belongs to GiveWise, but you retain advisory privileges, ensuring a seamless synergy between your philanthropic and financial objectives. 

We even have a "giving wallet" system, where a portion of your funds can be immediately available for grants, while the rest can be invested.

We are GiveWise Foundation Canada, a registered charity with Canada Revenue Agency, Business Number 701032526 RR0001. At GiveWise, we act as a charitable grant-making foundation and establish Donor Advised Funds (Giving Funds) for compassionate Canadians.