Individual Giving
Thanks to you, Kindred Spirits Orchestra performs 9 concerts per year at the Flato Markham Theatre, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and the CBC Glenn Gould Studio. Your generosity also enables us to reach out into your community, providing performing and learning opportunities for students, while enriching the lives of many people. Your donation plays a critical part in sustaining the excellence of the KSO!
Here are some of the ways you and/or your family can personally support the KSO:
- Friends of the KSO Club
- Maestro’s Club
- Tribute Gifts
- Planned Gifts
- Naming Opportunities
- Corporate Matching Donations
Please make a donation to the KSO today. All gifts, in any amount, are welcomed and appreciated. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20 or more.
There are four convenient ways that you can make a donation:
- On-line: through Canada Helps, Benevity or Charitable Impact.
- Over the phone: call 905.604.8339.
- By mail: 1-4981 Highway 7, Markham, Ontario L3R 1N1.
- In person: at the office of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra.
Friends of the KSO ($20 – $999)
You love classical music, you appreciate our musicians, and you are impressed with our Music Director! Experience the KSO by attending open rehearsals and meeting with the Music Director and the musicians. Your donations help support and enhance the level of artistic excellence you have come to know and deserve. We invite you to join our Friends of the KSO club by making an annual charitable gift. In these uncertain times, help keep the music playing! Let the music and artistry of the KSO inspire you and the life of your community! Get to know KSO better! With your Friends donation you may attend one of our Open Rehearsals and see the musicians in the final preparations before a concert followed by a question and answer period with one of the members of the orchestra or with the Music Director. You can also experience Glenn Gould Studio from the musicians’ perspective by having an opportunity to sit on stage right beside our musicians. We thank you for your Friendship!
Friends of the KSO Levels and Privileges
Strings ($20 – $99)
- Income tax receipt
Woodwinds ($100 – $299)
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Brass ($300 – $499)
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Percussion ($500 – $699)
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Sponsors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Concertmaster ($700 – $999)
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Sponsors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Maestro's Club ($1,000 and up)
The Maestro’s Club is a group of dedicated music lovers who donate $1,000 or more a year to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Maestro’s Club members are essential in helping the KSO to continue its artistic excellence and financial strength. They have opportunities to meet guest artists, KSO musicians, and Music Director Kristian Alexander during our post-concert receptions at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio and at our special events.
Maestro’s Club Levels and Privileges
Members of the Maestro’s Club enjoy all of the privileges of the Friends of the KSO club members, as well as the following additional benefits:
Conductor’s baton ($1,000 – $1,999)
- Two complimentary tickets for any concert
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Donors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Silver baton ($2,000– $2,999)
- Backstage tour during a dress rehearsal
- Four complimentary tickets for any concert
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Donors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Gold baton ($3,000 – $3,999)
- Recognition through the KSO social media outlets
- Backstage tour during a dress rehearsal
- Six complimentary tickets for any concert
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Donors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Platinum baton ($4,000 – $4,999)
- Recognition in all e-blasts broadcast 12 times a year
- Recognition through the KSO social media outlets
- Backstage tour during a dress rehearsal
- Eight complimentary tickets for any concert
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Donors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Diamond baton ($5,000 and up)
- Recognition on the TV screen in the foyer of the concert venue
- Recognition in all e-blasts broadcast 12 times a year
- Recognition through the KSO social media outlets
- Backstage tour during a dress rehearsal
- Ten complimentary tickets for any concert
- Publishing your name in the KSO marketing materials
- Invitations to special events, Maestro’s Club events and Donors’ reception
- Invitation to an open rehearsal
- Personalized ticketing service
- Income tax receipt
Tribute Gifts
Celebrate milestones such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvahs, and graduations. Tribute gifts can also be a way to honour the memory of friends and relatives. Your thoughtfulness will be acknowledged with a personal card to the honouree and a tax receipt will be issued to you.
Planned Gifts
Your planned gift to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra will provide a precious legacy — helping to ensure excellence in music for generations to come. A planned gift is a means of contributing to a registered charity such as the KSO, while gaining access to financial benefits for yourself or for your estate. We suggest several ways to make a planned gift, depending on your situation:
- a bequest in your Will
- a gift of property during your lifetime
- a gift of a life insurance policy
- an annuity
You may decide to make a significant contribution to the cause that is most important to you during your lifetime and beyond. Also, the charitable tax credit can be maximized to reduce your final income taxes payable. Finally, when you donate shares of Canadian cultural property, listed appreciated securities, or when you receive an annuity you may receive additional tax benefits during your lifetime.
A Bequest in Your Will
A bequest in your will may specify a certain sum of money, a particular asset, or a portion of the estate to be donated to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. A bequest is an excellent way to link your name, or the name of a loved one, to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Since a bequest is revocable, it provides no current income tax credit. However, the estate will be entitled to a donation receipt for the full value of the bequest. This can significantly reduce the tax payable with the estate’s final income tax return. Any unused portion of the receipt may be carried back one year. In making a gift by bequest, donors should consider providing the Kindred Spirits Orchestra with a copy of the clause in the Will pertaining to the bequest. This will be particularly helpful for receipting the estate at the appropriate time. The following sample language is intended as a resource when making a bequest to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. There are several options in making a bequest; you should seek legal and/or financial counsel to ensure that your intentions are clearly defined in your Will.
General Legacy
I direct my Trustees to deliver to the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA
A. the full sum of _____ Dollars ($_________________), OR
B. the ____percent (___%) of my estate, OR
C. all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, including real and personal property, and I declare that the receipt of the person professing to be the Treasurer of the recipient or other proper person to receive such sum shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustees.
Real Property Gift
I direct my Trustees to transfer and convey to the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA, all my right, title and interest to my real property described as [describe property using legal description].
Specific Gift
I direct my Trustees to deliver to the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA, my [describe article such as a piece of art, collection, etc.]
Gift of Shares
I direct my Trustees to transfer my shares in the capital stock of [public company name] (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) to the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA. [If I have sold my shares of the Corporation after the date of this Will, my Trustees shall pay to the KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA an amount equal to the net proceeds thereof received by me less the amount, as determined by my Trustees, of income taxes which I paid or am obligated to pay as a result of such sale or sales, calculated at the maximum rate of tax applicable to me at the time of such disposition.] When making a bequest to the KSO, please use the legal name “Kindred Spirits Orchestra” in your official documents. Please consider leaving a charitable bequest to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in your Will or estate plan.
For more information, please call our Administration Office at 905.604.8339 or send an e-mail to info@KSOrchestra.ca.
This information is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Readers are advised to seek specific legal advice from their own legal counsel before proceeding with a planned gift.
A Gift of Property in Your Lifetime
You can make a gift to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra by transferring shares of a public Corporation or specific properties during your lifetime. Such a gift is known as a “gift-in-kind”. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the appraised value of the donated property. Gifts of cultural property may enjoy increased tax advantage. Donors are encourage to inform the Kindred Spirits Orchestra of their intention to gift such property to the Orchestra to ensure that the gift fulfils a need identified by the Orchestra and that the gift can be accepted by the Orchestra.
A Gift of a Life Insurance Policy
If you have ever thought about making a charitable gift to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra but struggle with the idea of donating even a small portion of your assets, a good alternative, especially for younger donors and their families, is to consider a life insurance policy. For example, as a healthy person in the prime of life, if you purchase a life insurance policy you can give more than you thought possible and enjoy tax savings as well. For a relatively modest amount to cover the premium costs, you can ultimately provide a large gift that will have substantial impact on the KSO in the future. There are a few options to consider:
1. You can purchase a new policy.
If you name the Kindred Spirits Orchestra as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary, you will receive an annual income tax receipt for the full amount of the premiums paid. Insurance can be purchased at affordable rates and greater leverage is possible when two donors, usually spouses, purchase a joint policy.
2. You can donate an existing policy.
Old policies that are no longer needed by the donor or donor’s family can create current tax benefits. If you name the Kindred Spirits Orchestra as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary, then you will receive a tax receipt for the net cash surrender value.
3. You can name the KSO as the beneficiary of a new or existing policy.
A charitable donations tax credit will become available when you designate that the death benefit proceeds of your policy are paid directly to a registered charity such as the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. Your estate will receive a tax credit for the proceeds of the policy when the gift is realized. This tax credit can be applied to a maximum of 100% of your net income in the year prior to, and the year of death.
4. You can donate a policy from your former or current employer.
You may choose to make the Kindred Spirits Orchestra the beneficiary of a policy you hold from a current or past employer. As in option No. 3, a donations tax credit will be available when the death benefit proceeds from the policy are paid directly to the KSO.
Life insurance can provide an annual tax credit or a tax credit in the year of death. Your gift can be structured to provide the maximum tax relief, based on your particular circumstances. For example:
- When the Kindred Spirits Orchestra is both the owner and the beneficiary of a policy, you receive immediate tax savings as each premium is tax deductible. In this case, the gift is irrevocable and cannot be changed.
- You can choose to retain ownership of the life insurance policy with the subsequent flexibility to change the beneficiary over time as circumstances change. If you choose this option, your estate will receive the tax credit when the gift is realized.
A Charitable Gift Annuity
If you wish to make a contribution to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra while securing continuing income, then you may donate an amount to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra and continue to receive income in the form of an annuity.
The Kindred Spirits Orchestra is the recipient of the funds either now or after your death (depending on how the annuity is structured). You receive an immediate tax receipt in addition to ongoing annuity income throughout your lifetime. In other words, a charitable gift annuity is a wonderful way to make a gift of lasting significance by providing lifetime income and reducing your taxes.
Naming Opportunities
Depending on the size of your gift, a variety of Naming Opportunities are available as a way of personalizing your support (i.e. the endowment of a Music Director’s or Musician’s Chair, or naming a music education programme). Naming Opportunities are available for one year, or in perpetuity. Kindred Spirits Orchestra welcomes the opportunity to discuss your needs and to recognize your bequest or other forms of planned gifts in a meaningful way. Your name or the name of your loved one can be associated with a number of significant programmes, facilities or activities at the Kindred Spirits Orchestra.
Corporate Matching Donations
Many employers sponsor matching gift programmes and will match any charitable contributions their employees make. Your gift may double or possibly triple. Some companies also match gifts made by retirees and spouses. As a result, you will receive an income tax receipt for an amount that is double or triple the amount you have donated.
Companies use various methods by which you can submit your matching gift request including, online forms, automated phone systems or paper forms. If your company uses a paper form, complete and sign it, and send a copy to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra. We’ll do the rest.
To find out if your company has a matching gift programmes, click here to check our list of companies with a matching gifts program. If your company is on the list, contact your human resources department to learn more about the options.
Donations
Your generosity enables us to reach out to your community, provide performing and learning opportunities for children, and to enrich people’s lives. Your donation plays a critical part in sustaining the excellence of the KSO!
Phone: 905-604-8339
Email: info@KSOrchestra.ca