Donations that are received by the Friends of Royal Alberta Museum Society by an individual or company will be used for a specific purpose, for example the Sunwapta Totem Fund, if the individual or company specifies a specific purpose. A charitable tax receipt will be issued.
If the donation is received by an individual Albertan, an eligible Alberta-based not-for-profit organization (and Canada Revenue Agency-registered charity) can apply for a proportional donation grant from the Government of Alberta called the Community Spirit Program (CSP). There are a lot of restrictions on what the funds received from CSP can be used for. For this reason it would be misleading to tell Totem Pole donors that their donation that is matched by the Government would also be used for the Totem Pole.
However, the funds received from CSP would definitely go towards charitable purposes in Alberta. For example, the Society is a major sponsor of education programs at the Museum. We also help financially disadvantaged children and families visit the Museum by working with 30 social agencies in the City. We also sponsor Aboriginal student interns at the Museum. So, if someone donates $50 to the Totem Pole, the $50 goes to the Pole and the CSP matching amount goes towards a charitable purpose.
At the moment, this is how one can donate to the Friends:
- People can donate online at www.framsociety.ca. After they donate, please ask that they phone me (780 453-9103) or email me at marilyn@framsociety.ca to specify Totem Pole.
- They could also phone me at 780 453-9103 to pay by credit card or mail to Friends at 12845 -102 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5N 0M6.
- Admissions at the Museum also accepts donations on behalf of the Friends.
Please contact me with any concerns, questions, ideas.
Marilyn Nelson
Business Manager
Friends of Royal Alberta Museum Society
12845 -102 Avenue
Edmonton AB T5N 0M6
780 453-9103
marilyn@framsociety.ca