Gifts by Americans to Carleton University
Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, a citizen or resident of the United States is entitled to a charitable deduction for gifts to a Canadian University – provided he, or she, or a family member is or was enrolled (family member includes spouse, children, grandchildren, parents and siblings.) If you are an alum or a family member – you can plan your donation directly to Carleton University. If these conditions do not apply to you, or you are currently planning a gift of assets from IRA’s or the full spectrum of Charitable Trusts – those gifts should be made through Chapel & York US Foundation to Carleton University. The Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc is a recognized 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service with EIN: 81-2161937.
Online Donations
To donate online, please complete our secure online donation form through Chapel & York.
By Cheque
If donating by cheque, please download and complete the donation form, and include it with your cheque to:
Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc.
228 Park Avenue South, #71410,
New York, NY, 10003, USA
Shares and Stocks
To donate shares or stocks, please complete the secure online transfer from through Chapel & York.
A Gift by Will
A gift by will is a meaningful way to support Carleton. Known as a charitable bequest – a gift in your will is a simple, flexible, and versatile way to ensure the types of programs and experiences that positively impacted you will be able to continue for years to come.
The Most Common Types of Bequests
- Residual Bequest: Carleton University receives a portion of the remainder of your estate after other specific legacies have been fulfilled.
- Specific Bequest: Carleton University receives a specific dollar amount, or stated fraction of your estate, or a specified gift of property (collections, art, books, real estate, etc.)
You may request our helpful resource brochure, A Gift By Will American Edition, with sample language for a will here.
Please contact us if you’ve already named Carleton University in your estate plan. We would like to personally thank you for your generosity and commitment and welcome you to our community of Legacy Donors – a special group of supporters like you.
Tax-Free Distributions to Charity from IRAs Now Available
For those who are 70 ½ or older, any amount up to $100,000 may be distributed tax-free from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to Carleton University through the Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc a recognized 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service with EIN: 81-2161937. This amount can count toward your required minimum distribution for the year in which the distribution is made. Although these distributions are not deductible as charitable contributions on your income tax return, they affect your taxes because they are not treated as taxable income to you.
You may request our helpful resource brochure here.
Beneficiary Designations
Continue Supporting Carleton After Your Lifetime
If you are passionate about supporting Carleton, a beneficiary designation is an easy, impactful gift for you to consider. You simply contact your retirement or life insurance plan administrator and request a beneficiary designation form. Then, name Carleton University as a beneficiary to receive retirement assets or life insurance proceeds after your lifetime. The form provided to you is entirely separate from your will.
Not only is it an easy way to give, but it is also flexible – you are not locked into the choices you make today, and you can review and adjust beneficiary designations at any time.
Frequently asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions from Carleton donors who reside in the United States of America below:
Can a U.S. resident donor give directly to Carleton University?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, a citizen or resident of the United States is entitled to a charitable deduction for gifts to a Canadian university, provided they or a family member is or was enrolled. (Family member includes spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, and siblings.) If you are an alum or a family member, you can plan your donation directly to Carleton University. If these conditions do not apply to you, or you are currently planning a gift of assets from IRA’s or the full spectrum of Charitable Trusts, those gifts should be made through Chapel & York US Foundation to Carleton University. The Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc is a recognized 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service with EIN: 81-2161937.
What is Chapel & York US Foundation?
The Chapel & York US Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and accepts gifts for Carleton University as they offer tax benefits to donors in America. Carleton University is a fund holder with Chapel & York which allows the university allows to effectively fundraise in America without having to set up a legal entity.
What types of gifts should be to Carleton University through the Chapel & York US Foundation?
All corporate donations, corporate matching gifts, donations of stocks, mutual funds, bonds and other similar instruments, charitable gifts of and from retirement plans (IRAs, 401(k), Keogh, Roth IRAs, TIAA/CREF, etc.) – should be made through the Chapel & York US Foundation.
Can my employer match my gift to Carleton University through their matching charitable gifts program?
Many U.S. corporations will match donations made by employees and directors, but American corporations cannot deduct donations made to foreign charities. In cases where a gift is to be matched by an individual’s employer – even if the individual is a Carleton alumnus, both gifts must be directed to Carleton University through the Chapel & York US Foundation.
What are the tax benefits of donating securities?
Donations of marketable securities result in reduced income taxes, reduced estate taxes, and avoidance of capital gains taxes as long as the securities have been held for more than a year. Marketable securities include common and preferred stock, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, mutual funds, and government securities. People who give appreciated securities get a double tax benefit. You save income taxes as you would with a gift of cash, but “save” again by avoiding the capital gains tax you would have owed if you had sold the property. In effect, your deduction is based on untaxed profit.
Please contact the Personal and Planned Giving Team at plannedgiving@carleton.ca or 613-520-3636 if you have any questions.