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National Volunteer Week
There is an excellent message from Governor General David Johnston in the Canada News Centre about National Volunteer Week.
This spirit of giving, which often develops at a very young age and helps to define our collective identity, forms the very basis of any dynamic society.
and later
During National Volunteer Week, I invite Canadians to think about how they can make a difference in their communities and get involved. Let us take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work of all volunteers.
I hope you enjoy reading Slaw.ca this week. It is the work of many volunteers. If you see Simon Fodden this week, tip your hat.
Volunteering is indeed worthwhile.
I’ve often wondered why one gets an income tax deduction when one donates money to a charity, but there is no tax incentive to volunteer time to a charity.
It might be a nightmare to administer or calculate, but it would make sense if volunteer time over a certain annual threshold should get some kind of recognition from a tax perspective. Even if charities were allowed to issue charitable receipts based on some sort of time formula.
Interesting idea David … I would have responded sooner, but I was volunteering at a casino the last couple of days :-)
In Alberta at least, there are some grants available to not-for-profit organizations that offer matched funds where some or all the match can be based on volunteer hours that the organization is allowed to assign a fee for. Not quite the same as a personal tax credit for volunteerism, but recognition at least that volunteer hours have an intrinsic, measurable value.