Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to our most-asked questions about giving, including tax implications and how we recognize your generosity.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? We are happy to help. Please submit your question(s) by emailing: donations.management@utoronto.ca.

General

Simply take a minute to fill out our address update form. This form may be used by all alumni, donors, and friends.

Please take minute to fill out our address update form. You will receive invitations to events in your area, and the latest information from your division and the University in general. You may also view our event listings online, or follow U of T on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Weibo or WeChat.

Gifts made through U of T’s online donation platform are used immediately for the purpose you designate. But when you contact us and set up an endowed gift, it means that your donation is invested and, each year, only the investment income is used to fund programs or scholarships. This arrangement lets your contribution make an impact in perpetuity.

If you are interested in establishing an endowed gift, please reach out to:

Glenn Best
Director, Major Gifts
21 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3
416-978-2540
major.gifts@utoronto.ca

We believe great things can happen when your personal goals and passions intersect with our shared commitment to building a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future. You can help make a difference.

Our campaign is organized into seven broad themes to allow you to explore the extraordinarily diverse research and bold initiatives we’re launching at U of T. Dive deeper into each theme to find dozens of inspiring projects that need your support, or use our search tool to look up your college or topics close to your heart.

Power Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Spark Creativity + Culture
Build Inclusive Cities & Societies
Enable Healthy Lives
Support Student Success
Create a Sustainable Future
Drive Scientific Discovery

Giving

Our legal name is: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto.
Our Canadian charitable registration number is: BN # 108162330-RR0001.

Online: You can make a gift online (by Visa, Amex, or MasterCard) and receive an instant electronic tax receipt.

Mail: Cheques may be made payable to the University of Toronto and mailed to:
University of Toronto
21 King’s College Circle
J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3

Telephone: To make a gift by phone, please call 416-978-0811.

Unfortunately, not at this time.

U of T’s online donation platform takes debit and credit cards. Other ways to donate include by telephone or by mail, or through other financial instruments such as securities.

Mail:
University of Toronto
21 King’s College Circle
J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3

Telephone: 416-978-0811

Your gift, vision and support will have a direct impact on our researchers, enabling them to make new breakthroughs in their quest to transform lives, shape global debates, and open up new avenues for art, science, and culture. And it will directly help our students, as we nurture them to become creative, fearless, and compassionate critical thinkers. Read examples of impact.

Thank you for your interest in this vital area. The University of Toronto has pledged that no qualified undergraduate will have to decline admission or withdraw from studies because of financial circumstances. Each year, the University draws from its own operating funds to support students, but generous donors have also established scholarships to help us meet this commitment.

You may make a one-time gift for a student award in any amount. Or, you may endow a student award in perpetuity with a gift of at least $25,000. Endowed scholarships can be named, and you may designate your award to a specific area of study.

To learn more, please download the award creation PDF, or contact:

Glenn Best
Director, Major Gifts
21 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3
416-978-2540
major.gifts@utoronto.ca

The Boundless Promise Program will match 1:1, in perpetuity, the annual payout on new endowed funds of $25,000 or more in support of needs-based awards at the University. For example, an endowed fund of $25,000 generates approximately $1,000 per year. With the University matching this sum, the value of the annual student award becomes $2,000, doubling the impact of your gift.

To learn more, please contact:

Glenn Best
Director, Major Gifts
21 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3
416-978-2540
major.gifts@utoronto.ca

Gifts to scholarships and student awards defray tuition expenses for students. In 1998, the University of Toronto made the remarkable promise that no student offered admission to this university would be denied the dream of a world-class education because they lack financial means.

Since then, a combination of donor support, government matching programs and University operating funds has increased student financial aid disbursements more than thirty-fold. We are proud that U of T supports more students from lower-income households—and allots more dollars from our operating budget to bursaries and scholarships—than any other Ontario university. Donors such as yourself have been critical to making this remarkable commitment possible.

Thank you for your sustained support! When you make your online donation, switch the toggle from “one-time” to “monthly” when you enter your gift amount.

Thank you for your interest! U of T’s Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations will be happy to work with your corporation or foundation. Please contact the office to discuss your wishes, or to receive help identifying a gift that meets your strategic goals.

Telephone: 1-800-463-6048
Email: cfr@utoronto.ca

Hundreds of Canadian and U.S. companies will match contributions made to U of T by their employees. Some companies will even match gifts contributed by spouses or retired employees. Please search our corporate matching database to determine if you can double or triple the impact of your gift with the help of your employer.

Thank you for your interest and forethought! Donors who make a planned gift to the University of Toronto remember us in their wills, or take advantage of trusts, annuities or other types of gifts than can reduce your estate taxes or provide you with an immediate tax benefit in the present. Please visit our Ways to Give page for information to determine the best match for you, or to contact a Gift Planning Officer.

One of the ways that the University ensures research excellence is through establishing Chairs, thereby demonstrating commitment to a particular position and discipline. We seek to appoint Chairholders of great distinction and welcome gifts to establish Chairs or Professorships.

Please contact:

Glenn Best
Director, Major Gifts
21 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3
416-978-2540
major.gifts@utoronto.ca

Please visit our financial services website for complete University of Toronto financial reports.

Taxes

Yes. All online donations automatically receive an electronic receipt, issued in the name of the credit card holder. For mail or telephone donations of $5 or more, we mail you a receipt (issued in the name of the credit card holder or cheque signatory).

Please contact Donations Management at:
416-978-0811
Toll free: 1-800-463-6048
donations.management@utoronto.ca

To determine your tax credit, please consult your accountant or review the Canada Revenue Agency’s online information.

Yes. You may make special donation arrangements to receive a Hong Kong, U.K., or United States tax receipt. If you live in another country, you may use our online donation platform to make a gift in Canadian dollars and we will send you a Canadian tax receipt.

Hong Kong tax receipt
If you require a Hong Kong tax receipt, you may make your donation to the University of Toronto Hong Kong Foundation in Hong Kong dollars. All donations to the Foundation of HK$100 or more will receive a Hong Kong tax receipt, sent to you by mail.

UK tax receipt
If you require a United Kingdom tax receipt, you may make your donation online through the The University of Toronto UK Fund – Prism the Gift Fund. For further information on ways to give from the U.K., please contact Michelle Woo, Director, Advancement Counsel at 416-946-7066 or m.woo@utoronto.ca.

United States tax receipt
University of Toronto alumni and their families (spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, and siblings) may make online donations directly to U of T and use their Canadian charitable receipt for their U.S. income tax returns under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention.

American citizens or residents who are not alumni or related to alumni of the University of Toronto, as well as corporations, foundations, estates, and trusts requiring a U.S. tax receipt, can contribute to the University through The Associates of the University of Toronto, Inc., established in 1947 to facilitate donations. The Associates is a not-for-profit organization recognized under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3).

To ask about giving to U of T through the Associates, please call toll free 1-800-699-1736, or e-mail associates.ut@utoronto.ca.

Donations may also be mailed to:
Mr. Gary Kaufman
Treasurer, The Associates of the University of Toronto, Inc.
58 West 84th Street, #2F
New York, NY 10024 USA

The University’s policy is to use the closing price of the stock on the day it is received in the University’s account.

If you donate certain publicly listed securities directly to U of T you are not required to pay tax on the capital gains, and you will receive a tax receipt for the current value of the donated stock.

Donor recognition

We are grateful to you for your support! We acknowledge each donation of $10 or more with a tax receipt, and a letter of thanks.

In addition, we welcome each individual who has donated $1,827 or more annually into the Presidents’ Circle and invite you to special events.

We take requests for anonymity very seriously. Simply indicate your wishes by checking “I do not wish to be publicly recognized for this gift” when you make your online donation.

If you give by mail, simply make your request in your letter. For more information, please contact:

Sandra Kelly
Associate Director, Donations Management
21 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J3
416-978-0171
sandra.kelly@utoronto.ca

If you make an annual gift of $1,827 or more, you will receive special acknowledgement as a member of the Presidents’ Circle — a unique recognition society for those donors whose commitment reflects the vision and leadership of the University’s past presidents. The amount represents the founding year of the University of Toronto. As a member, you will be invited to attend special lectures and events presented by the University’s most insightful and inspiring professors.

Yes, we will be pleased to acknowledge the honouree you designate. Simply check “This gift is in recognition or in memory of someone” when you make your online donation.