AFP Canada Urges Government to Offer Flexibility on Donation Receipt Deadline
AFP Canada sent the following letter urging the federal government to allow Canadians to apply donations made in January and February 2025 to their 2024 tax year.
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December 18, 2024
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
Department of Finance Canada
90 Elgin Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G5
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Revenue
7th Floor
555 Mackenzie Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L5
Dear Minister LeBlanc and Minister Bibeau,
On behalf of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), our over 3,000 members in Canada and the millions of Canadians who depend on services provided by the charitable sector, I write to you today to urge you to offer a one-time exception for charities whose supporters intended to make donations in 2024, but were not able to do so due to the postal strike.
Specifically, we urge the federal government to offer Canadians the flexibility to apply donations made in January and February 2025 towards their 2024 tax year, mirroring the treatment of contributions to Registered Retirement Saving Plans in those same months. This exception will not pose any further administrative burden on the government or tax filers.
The postal strike has had a real and significant impact on charities across our country. Although postal services have now resumed, the disruption and backlog of deliveries come at the worst possible time—during the most critical fundraising period of the year, especially for mail-based campaigns. This delay means many donation requests will not reach donors in time for them to respond this year. As a result, donations intended to support those in need will be significantly delayed, further straining the resources of charities during a time when their services are needed most.
Knowing that charity resources are limited, AFP is asking the federal government to offer this solution in the interest of Canada’s charities and the generous people who donate to them.
Thank you for considering this request. We would be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss it further at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Lisa Davey
Vice President
AFP Canada
CC: The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, P.C., M.P., Minister of Labour and Seniors
The Honourable Jenna Sudds, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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