What causes have you
donated to in the last
year?
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Education and research
Health
Arts
Environment
Social services
International
Religion
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010
/08/11/14988416.html#/news/torontoandgta/2010/0
8/06/pf-14942861.html
Meet Ashley…
Would you donate??
FRAUD!!!!!
CHARITY FRAUD
To
Give or not to Give…
By Julia Falbo
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Why do we donate?
Kirilow’s Fraudulent Cancer Case
Fundraising event hoaxes
Outcomes of Fraud
Our next steps…
Why do we donate money?
Personal connection
 To make a Difference
 Take an active stand on an issue
 Personal recognition/Economic
benefits

Feeling compassion and sympathy
for those in need, and wanting to
help a cause in which the donor
personally believes in
http://www.givingandvolunteering.ca/files/givi
ng/en/csgvp_highlights_2007.pdf
“Change For a Cure”

Ashley Kirilow claimed to
have Breast, Brain,
Stomach, Liver AND
Ovarian Cancer
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Convinced family and
friends she only had a few
months to live

Dying wish granted, twice
How low will she go …
Fundraising Initiatives
Facebook page
 Organized local
concert benefits/pub
nights
 Sold T-shirts
 Set up booths
 Volunteers

Raised over $20,000.00
•
Youth Central, encouraged and
promoted “Change for a Cure”
Andrew Phung – Program Director:
“It is so unfortunate that Ashley wasn’t being honest with the public.
This makes people sceptical of others who are genuinely trying to help.
We can’t let this fraudulent act deter us from giving to charitable causes
or starting one of our own. Young people can learn that they can change
and make an impact on their community, and hopefully use Ashley’s case
as an example of what not to do”
Outcomes of Fraud
Tips to avoid Fraud causes:

Make sure the charity is registered
with the Canada Revenue Agency
(CRA)

Ask to see a charity’s financial
statements.
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Understand the impact the charity
has and what difference they make in
the community.

Research the causes you want to
support and hold them accountable.

Avoid any charity that pressures you
into making a donation.
Before you donate…
Helpful Tools For Fundraisers:

CRA’s Charity Listing
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CANADIAN CHARITY LEGAL CHECKLIST by Mark Blumberg
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CanadaHelps.org - Charity Fraud Awareness, Fraud Protection
Month

51% of Canadians who plan to make a donation to charity are
concerned about becoming victim to a fraudster representing a
false charity.
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18% of Canadians have been a victim, or know someone who has
been a victim of charity fraud.
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$328,000 in charitable contributions went into the pockets of
fraudsters rather than going to charities in need.
- Angus Reid Public Opinion 2009
But there is good news ...
96% of Canadians do not give in to high
pressure tactics and do not give their
financial information to solicitors.
Sources Cited
Direct Interview

Andrew Phung, Program Director- Youth Central
Statistics Canada/ Imagine Canada’s report:

http://www.givingandvolunteering.ca/files/giving/en/csgvp_highlights_2007.pdf
News Articles:
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http://www.globalphilanthropy.ca/index.php/blog/comments/canadahelps_free_webinar_on_fraud_
prevention_and_their_charity_fraud_awaren/
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http://stepbystepfundraising.com/why-do-people-donate-to-charitable-causes/
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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/08/09/14965076.html
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http://theoriginalgreenwichdiva.com/ashley-kirilow-i-faked-having-cancer-because-i-amlonely/11394/
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http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/archive/anew/anew09/anew0912.asp
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http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/844614--woman-faked-cancer-to-raise-money
Photos/Videos/Interviews:
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http://www.snapnewmarket.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id[]=163398
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http://www.youthareawesome.com/?p=1740
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http://www.mtv.ca/tvshows/video_content.jhtml?cid=1645636&id=10794
Thanks!!