FAQ's

You’ve got questions —we’ve got answers. This FAQ covers everything from Giving Funds and gift processing to GiveGenius, GenerosityWorks, and more. Explore common questions and answers.

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About GiveWise

What is GiveWise Foundation Canada?

GiveWise Foundation Canada is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (Registered Charity Number: 701032526RR0001). GiveWise acts as a charitable gift-making foundation and establishes Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), which we call Giving Funds.

How does GiveWise fund its operations?

GiveWise charges Giving Fund fees on Giving Funds with balances over $25,000 and relies on donors to add a small percentage of their Gift Requests to support operations. If donors add an average of 3% to their Gift Requests, this helps to cover the cost of sending funds to charities and improving the platform. Donors can also support GiveWise directly through the Gift tab within the Giving Fund.

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Giving Funds

What is a Giving Fund and how does it work?

A Giving Fund is a simple, tax-efficient vehicle for all your charitable giving. It consolidates all donations in one place, provides a single tax receipt, and enables users to gift to any registered Canadian charity.

What can I contribute to my Giving Fund?

Contributions can be made using: credit cards, eTransfers, bank transfers, cheques, DAF transfers, cryptocurrency and stocks/securities.

How do I contribute securities to my Giving Fund?

Log into your GiveWise Giving Fund and navigate to the Add Funds tab and choose Securities. Complete the input form. This will place your contribution into Initiated state and will provide you with a PDF that can be presented to your brokerage firm. Please note that securities must be sent from your brokerage account - GiveWise is unable to pull the security.

Is there a fee for making a contribution?

There are no fees for cheque, e-transfer, or bank transfer contributions. Fees are withheld from credit card contributions and some other contribution methods (like securities and wire transfers) are subject to Administration Recovery Fees. Please refer to the Fees for Contributions Section in our Fees Schedule for more details.

Can I withdraw money from my Giving Fund once I have contributed?

No. Contributions to a Giving Fund are irrevocable and become the property of GiveWise Foundation Canada. Funds can only be gifted to registered Canadian charities, and approved non-profits (Non-Qualified Donees).

Is there a minimum contribution amount?

No, there is no minimum required to open or maintain a Giving Fund.

Where can I find my tax receipt?

Log in to your Giving Fund, go to the “Tax Receipts” tab in the navigation bar, and download your tax receipts by year.

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Gifts to Charities

What is a gift?

A gift is when funds are allocated to a registered Canadian charity by a Giving Fund holder from their Giving Fund.

How does GiveWise approve a gift?

Gifts are reviewed to confirm that the charity is in good standing with the CRA and to ensure the gift will be used for charitable purposes without providing more than an incidental personal benefit to the donor or related parties.

Can I cancel a gift if I made an error?

Any gifts in Pending state can be canceled within the platform. If a gift is already Approved, please contact [email protected] — we will make our best effort to cancel but cannot guarantee this is possible.

Why is my gift in Pending state?

It has not yet been reviewed and approved. This usually takes one business day.

Which organizations can I send gifts to?

Gifts can be sent to any registered Canadian registered charity in good standing with the CRA. To find charities, use the CRA database search tool found within the GiveWise platform by going to the Give tab of the navigation bar.

Can I give anonymously?

Yes. Select “I wish to remain anonymous” when making a gift, and GiveWise will not share your name or contact information with the charity.

Can I designate my funds to a person or project within a charity?

Yes. You can use the “Purpose of Gift” dropdown to designate your funds. If your desired designation isn’t listed, select “Other” and include your request in the “Additional Notes” field. Please note: while we pass along all designations, it is ultimately up to the charity to honour them.

Is there a minimum gift value?

There is no minimum gift value but GiveWise encourages a minimum gift amount of $20.

How quickly will a charity receive the funds gifted to them?

Gifts are processed weekly. Charities with Direct Deposit established will receive funds within 2–9 business days. Charities that have not set up direct deposit yet may take longer.

I gave through a charity’s website using GiveWise?

If you made a donation through a charity’s website and were directed to GiveWise (via GiveGenius), your tax receipt is available — but is only accessible through your free Giving Fund. If you have not created a Giving Fund, please do so to access your tax receipt.

All tax receipts are self-serve and require donors to access them directly through their Giving Fund.

What if I didn’t create a Giving Fund when I gave? You can still create one now using the same email you used when donating. Once it’s set up, your receipt will appear under the Tax Receipts tab.

Can I still get a receipt without a Giving Fund? No. Donations made without a verified Giving Fund will not be provided a tax receipt through any other method. Tax receipting is self-serve and requires donors to create a free Giving Fund to access. We recommend creating one right away to ensure full access to your donation history and receipts.

Need help? Contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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Growing Your Fund (Investments)

How do I invest contributions in my Giving Fund?

Giving Funds with balances over $25,000 can be invested for tax-free growth. Contact [email protected] for more information.

How do I change my investment allocations?

Contact [email protected] to edit your allocations.

How do I transfer funds to my Giving Wallet balance?

To liquidate investments for gifting, contact [email protected].

How will investment gains and losses affect my fund?

Investment gains and losses impact the total fund balance but do not affect your tax receipted contributions.

Do I have to report taxes on my fund’s investments?

No, because the contributions are owned by GiveWise Foundation Canada, gains and losses do not impact your taxes.

Do I have other investment options?

Contact [email protected] to learn about all available investment options.

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GenerosityWorks (NQDs)

What is GenerosityWorks for NQDs?

The GenerosityWorks program allows Non-Qualified Donees (NQDs) — organizations and individuals without formal charitable status — to raise funds and have GiveWise issue tax receipts on their behalf.

What is a Non-Qualified Donee (NQD)?

A Non-Qualified Donee is an organization, group, or individual engaged in public charitable work but without official charitable status.

How do I apply for the GenerosityWorks NQD program?

Submit your application online and pay the $500 application fee. The fee must be received before the application will be reviewed.

What happens after my application is approved?

You’ll receive an Agency Agreement outlining terms, fees, payment frequency, and reporting requirements. You will also need to set up a GiveWise Giving Fund (Corporation type) to receive donations.

How do I access the donations?

Complete the GenerosityWorks Application for Payout Form. Payouts can be requested up to 4 times per year. A 2% processing fee (minimum $100) is withheld from each payout.

How do I see who donated?

Login to your Generosity Fund account to view and export donor data.

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GiveGenius for Charities

What is GiveGenius?

GiveGenius is a simple, customizable donation platform that helps Canadian charities enhance their online giving experience and unlock more gifts. It integrates directly into your website.

How do I sign up for GiveGenius?

Contact [email protected] or book a meeting with our team.

How is GiveGenius different from GiveWise?

GiveWise offers a full range of services, including Giving Funds (Donor-Advised Funds), Workplace Giving, GenerosityWorks, and Generosity Exchange. GiveGenius focuses specifically on donation processing for charities.

Can I use GiveGenius if I’m already a GiveWise Charity Affiliate?

Yes. You can keep using your charity portal and also embed GiveGenius donation buttons to enhance your website without any disruption.

What donation types does GiveGenius support?

Direct bank transfers, Credit cards, e-transfers, DAF transfers, cheques, crypto, complex assets, and securities — with more options like life insurance, real estate, vehicles, flow-through shares coming soon.

How is this different from CanadaHelps?

GiveGenius offers more flexibility, no administrative fees for charities, and access to Donor-Advised Funds for larger gifts and better tax savings.

What is the processing time for gift payments?

Gift payments are processed securely and charities receive funds weekly.

What fees are associated with GiveGenius?

There are no disbursement transaction fees — the full amount of the gift, after any applicable contribution processing fees, is directed to your charity.

What kind of support do you offer charities?

We offer personalized onboarding support, website integration guidance, and fundraising strategy advice.

Will this help increase our fundraising efforts?

Yes. GiveGenius simplifies giving and offers more ways for donors to give, helping you engage donors better and boost generosity.

How are tax receipts administered?

GiveWise handles tax receipting. Donors can access their receipts anytime through their GiveWise account.

Can GiveGenius support corporate giving?

Yes. Corporations can create accounts to support workplace giving initiatives. See our Workplace Giving program.

How does GiveWise protect privacy and security?

GiveWise uses advanced encryption, secure networks, and complies with global data protection regulations to protect both donor and charity information.

How do you cover your costs?

GiveWise is funded through optional courtesy payments and investment management fees on larger Giving Funds, keeping the core platform free for donors and charities.

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Platform Support

How do I log into my GiveWise account?

Visit the GiveWise login page and enter your email and password. If you need help, contact [email protected].

What if I forget my password?

Use the “Forgot Password” link on the login page to reset it.

How do I update my personal information?

Log into your account, go to Settings, and update your details.

How do I contact support?

Email [email protected] or call [phone].

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Security and Privacy

Is my information secure with GiveWise?

Yes. GiveWise uses advanced encryption, secure networks, and strict data protection policies to protect donor and charity information.

How does GiveWise protect donor privacy?

We do not sell or share donor information. Donors can also choose to give anonymously if they prefer.

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ShareFunds

Who can I share funds with?

You can share funds with anyone! Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or even community members, ShareFunds makes it easy to spread generosity.

What happens if the recipient doesn’t claim their funds?

If the funds are not claimed within 30 days, they will return to your GiveWise Giving Fund.

Can I share funds multiple times?

Absolutely! You can share funds as often as you’d like, with as many recipients as you choose.

Does the recipient need a GiveWise Giving Fund?

Yes, in order for the recipient to select their preferred charity they will be directed to sign up for an account if they don't already have one. It's quick and easy to register — they will just need to enter some basic details.

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Workplace Giving

What is a Workplace Giving Program?

A Workplace Giving Program, also known as an Employee Giving Program, is an organized effort by a business to encourage and facilitate charitable donations from employees. It allows employees to donate to various charities directly using employer funds or personal funds, one-time or regular contributions.

How does the GiveWise online platform help create a workplace giving program?

Our platform provides an easy-to-use interface for businesses to set-up and manage workplace giving programs. It includes tools for selecting any registered charity across Canada, setting up payments, tracking donations, and reporting on the impact. Our system is designed to streamline the process for business owners and maximize employee participation.

What types of charitable organizations can we support through your platform?

Our platform supports any registered Canadian charity, and sometimes also including local non-profit organizations, and international organizations. You can choose from our extensive database which organizations align with your business’s values.

How secure is your platform?

Security is our top priority. Our platform uses advanced encryption and security protocols to protect your data and transactions. We comply with all relevant data protection regulations to ensure your information is safe.

Can employees choose their own charities to support?

Yes, employees can select any registered Canadian charity. Our platform is flexible and allows employees to support causes they are passionate about, increasing engagement and company morale.

How do we get started with your platform?

Getting started is easy. Simply sign up on our website, and you’ll be guided through the setup process. Since we are real people, we also love real connection. For those who prefer, we encourage you to book a time to meet with someone from our team so we can show you a demo and help you get everything set-up and running smoothly.

Can we customize the giving program to fit our company’s culture?

Yes, our platform is highly customizable. You can tailor the program to align with your company’s values and culture, from which causes and charities you support.

What are the costs associated with using your platform?

There is no fee to get started! We want to ensure every dollar from donors goes directly to the charities they are wanting to support. However, there are fees associated with specific transactions and accounts. You can find detailed information about fees on our website or contact us directly.

How do we start a workplace giving program?

Start by signing up for a corporate account for free! You can also reach out to us at [email protected] to support you in bringing your vision to life. For detailed steps, check out our video guide or visit our blog on Kickstarting your Workplace Giving program.

Can we get support in structuring and rolling out the program?

Absolutely! We offer comprehensive support to help you structure and roll out your workplace giving program. Our GiveWise team is available to assist you with any questions you may have. We offer support through email, phone, or virtual meeting to ensure you have the help you need to be successful. Reach out to us at [email protected].

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Generosity Exchange

Helping you unlock smarter generosity without needing to be the expert.

What is Generosity Exchange?

Generosity Exchange is a flexible donor engagement toolkit designed to help your charity spark bigger, smarter giving. You don’t need to become an expert in complex donations — GiveWise handles the education. You simply open the door to meaningful conversations with your supporters.

Is this an event?

It can be — but doesn’t have to be. You can host a live gathering, send a co-branded video, or simply use our email templates to connect with key donors. Generosity Exchange is built to match your capacity and your audience.

What’s included?

• A customizable event kit (slides, invites, and follow-up tools)

• A professionally produced donor education video (you can co-brand)

• Messaging templates and outreach tools

• Support from the GiveWise team

• Optional donor assistance with complex gifts (like stock, corporations, or bequests)

How does it help my charity?

Even if you don’t know all the ins and outs of complex giving, introducing your donors to new options:

• Encourages larger and more strategic gifts

• Builds trust by showing your charity is forward-thinking

• Positions your team as a generosity partner, not just a fundraiser

Do our donors have to use GiveWise?

Not at all. There’s no requirement for donors to use our GiveWise platform. This is about education and inspiration — not selling a product.

Is there a cost?

No. Generosity Exchange is free for Canadian registered charities.

How do we get started?

You don’t need to teach the session — we help you lead it with confidence. Book a quick call to get access to all the tools and support or reach out to us at [email protected].