Frequently Asked Questions

Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest // © Ian MaCallister/iLCP RAVE

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Below is a list of your most frequently asked questions and our best answers.

Click on each question to expand the answer.

General

What is Guarding the Gifts?

Guarding the Gifts is a Fund of the Tides Canada Foundation based on a passionate relationship between the Gitga’at First Nation of Hartley Bay and a wilderness resort in Gitga’at territory, King Pacific Lodge. The mission of Guarding the Gifts is to “Help guard the gifts of the Gitga’at Nation and the Great Bear Rainforest – by empowering, challenging and educating people to protect the environment and quality of life for future generations.”

Full legal name: Tides Canada Foundation - Guarding the Gifts – The Liiłga K’yilama Fund
Canadian Registered Charitable Tax Number: 86894 7797 RR0001

So, who is Guarding the Gifts?

We are a growing coalition of gift guardians! We have the desire, enthusiasm and commitment to see our programs and projects through. What we need is help from you. We will use the most economical and environmentally responsible building methods, but inevitably, costs still remain. We need help to fund our programs, which enables us to complete our stated mission.

What can I do to help?

Engage online: Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, sign up for the Newsletter.
Adopt a Square Foot of the Great Bear Rainforest. Your purchase will help promote conservation of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Support and/or attend Cooking for a Cause, a gourmet dining gala to be held in Vancouver in October, 2011!
Speak to your family, friends and partners about Guarding the Gifts.
Learn about the Great Bear Rainforest and Gitga’at First Nation and spread the word.
Make a donation! The reality is that guarding these gifts is going to require money. We need your help to make a significant difference. For companies that would like to support us, we are happy to offer reciprocal publicity on our website if desired.
If you are a guest at King Pacific Lodge, become an Environmental Volunteer for a day and participate in meaningful research. Volunteers may engage in a range of activities including monitoring the environment such as intertidal life as well as educating others about the natural environment.
Do what you love. A Guardian speaks out however they can. Use your untapped talents to spread the word, create awareness and raise additional funds for our programs.
Want to do more? Dedicate your summer to Guarding the Gifts and help shape the future of the Gitga’at Nation. Email us for more information at info@guardingthegifts.org.

How does Guarding the Gifts help?

We address our mission and goals in a number of ways. Utilizing the principles of conservation biology through field research, educational tools and other broad-based outreach projects, Guarding the Gifts strives to raise awareness and educate people about the Gitga’at Nation and their territory which is in the Great Bear Rainforest. By working with a diverse group of coalitions, non-government organizations, individuals, communities, First Nations and scientists, we are able to develop effective strategies and relationships that help us achieve our vision and mission. Education is a core element of our approach to conservation. We further this goal by working with the public, media, educators and others to help draw attention to current environmental and social threats to the Gitga’at First Nation and the Great Bear Rainforest.

How do I know your efforts will succeed and make a difference?

All programs and projects of Guarding the Gifts have been reviewed by committee members to ensure that that they are sound, credible and important. By putting confidence in the wisdom of those closest to the ground who know where the most urgent and promising work is happening, we bring together decades of social and environmental expertise to help increase the impact of our charitable giving and move funds at a minimal cost.

What is the relationship between the Gitga'at First Nation and King Pacific Lodge?

King Pacific Lodge was the first private tourism operator to sign a working protocol with a coastal First Nation in British Columbia, thereby recognizing their rights and title to their traditional territory. Since then, the Gitga’at Nation and King Pacific Lodge have worked together on a wide variety of programs and projects including student mentoring programs, an elders’ breakfast program, joint educational initiatives and hospitality training. King Pacific Lodge also holds its annual staff training in Hartley Bay, home of the Gitga’at Nation, where the staff stay in private homes in the community and serve the community at a feast.

King Pacific Lodge has long been noted for its luxury and quality. But, they have always paid particular attention to their role in creating social equity and conservation. Travelers of today want more knowledge, more connection to the places they visit, and more authentic opportunities to see a world they could have easily missed. King Pacific’s essential mission as a triple bottom line company naturally creates an authentic and meaningful relationship with Hartley Bay and the Gitga’at Nation. The lodge is immersed in Barnard Harbour, in the Great Bear Rainforest, on the north-west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Just miles away from Hartley Bay, King Pacific Lodge is the largest employer of Gitga’at people in Hartley Bay.

While this is a step forward significant gaps remain. We still need your help.

Who is on the Steering Committee and how were they identified?

Our advisors are a diverse group of knowledgeable experts in the field who are deeply connected to the local work happening in their areas of expertise and in the places they live and work. Our advisors are leaders, teachers and local activists of small networks and coalitions. Guarding the Gifts is committed to diversity. Members were chosen from different backgrounds, of different ages, with different perspectives and expertise. Ensuring diversity on the Steering Committee is a value we uphold and will be an on-going priority.

Guarding the Gifts Steering Committee

Cameron Hill – Hartley Bay School Teacher

Michael A. Uehara – President – King Pacific Lodge

Marven Robinson – Gitga’at Spirit Bear Guide

Janie Wray – Cetacealab

Donations

Are you a charity?

Yes, Guarding the Gifts is a charitable fund through Tides Canada.

Where does the Guarding the Gifts funding come from?

It is thanks to our donors that we can do our important work toward conservation, capacity building and community development. Over 60% of our funding comes from public contributions, donations and monthly gifts from individuals and organizations. Foundation grants make up over 30% of our revenue, with the remaining 10% noted as “other” (merchandise, events, etc).

Is my donation to Guarding the Gifts tax deductible?

Yes, for Canadian donations over $25 and US donations over $1000. You must also itemize your deductions when you complete your annual tax return. Please contact info@guardingthegifts.org for more info.

Who issues the tax receipt?

Tides Canada Foundation will issue your receipt(s). As a registered charity, Tides Canada provides charitable tax receipts for your donations to the Guarding the Gifts – The Liiłga K’yilama Fund and directs them towards the projects you choose. If you are donating online, a tax receipt will be sent to your email address within minutes of your donation. If you are donating by cheque or through Tides Canada head office in Vancouver, a tax receipt will be sent within 4-6 weeks. As a registered Canadian charity, Tides Canada Foundation is bound by the regulations and policies of the Canadian Revenue Agency.

What do I need to keep as proof of my contribution for tax purposes?

Keep your paystub, a copy of your pledge form and acknowledgement letters from Tides Canada. Tides Canada will send you a letter acknowledging your gift.

Is there a minimum donation amount?

The minimum donation is only $5.00 which is still enough to start something big! But you can provide donations of any amount. All gifts are welcome and appreciated. If you want a tax receipt they can be issued for Canadian donations over $25 and US donations over $1000.

How do I know that my online donation is secure?

Guarding the Gifts uses the Gifttool platform via Tides Canada to process our donations. GiftTool takes security very seriously. That’s why they use the latest encryption technology to make sure that credit card payments are secure before, during and after every transaction. They encode every transaction using 128-bit encryption. Your information is encrypted before it leaves their computer, throughout the transaction and as it is stored in our database. GiftTool uses the very best Secure Socket Layer Certificates of Thawte. This certificate means that they are who they say they are and that your secure data transmissions will not be decrypted. They are also enrolled in AmbironTrustWave’s TrustKeeper Remote Compliance Program to confirm that they are compliant with the card associations’ security requirements.

I did not receive a copy of my tax receipt. Where do I get another one?

If you have any issues with your tax receipts please contact Tides Canada:

Toll Free: 1.866.843.3722 ext. 241

Direct: 604.647.6611 ext. 241

Email michael.dorsey@tidescanada.org

What forms of payment do you accept?

The easiest way is to make a donation on the website by credit card. You can also send us a cheque by mail, just make sure to make the cheque out to “Tides Canada Foundation/ Guarding the Gifts – The Liiłga K’yilama Fund” since they are our charitable partner. You can also call us to make a donation over the phone (604.988.9897).

Let us know where you would like us to direct your money. We can direct it to a specific program of your choice or use it to build the capacity of Guarding the Gifts – The Liiłga K’yilama Fund to help us support our mission.

How do I become a monthly donor or change my monthly donation?

You can become a monthly donor online. If you would like to change the amount of your monthly donation, please email info@guardingthegifts.org

What is your commitment to donors?

We are accountable to our donors and we recognize our responsibility to your investment in Guarding the Gifts. Therefore, we are committed to:

Inform you of our mission, the way the organization intends to use donated resources and our capacity to use the funds you give us effectively and for intentional purposes.
Inform you of the identity of those who serve on Guarding the Gift’s Steering Committee, as they will exercise prudent judgment in their stewardship responsibilities.
Give you access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
Provide assurance that your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they are intended.
Fully abide by your wishes with regard to recognition and acknowledgment for your support, whether those are that your donation is made public or that it is respectfully received in confidence.
Inform you of the professional role played by those who seek donations from you on behalf of Guarding the Gifts, whether these are volunteers, employees or steering committee members.
Answer any questions you have about Guarding the Gifts promptly, truthfully and honestly.

Why contribute to Guarding the Gifts directly, instead of through Tides?

Simplified administration and low fees and expenses.

Contact us at info@guardingthegifts.org for information on how to donate directly if you do not need a charitable tax receipt.

Cheques payable to Guarding the Gifts and in kind donation items are gratefully received and can be mailed to:

Guarding the Gifts

P.O. Box 38565

North Vancouver, BC V7M 3N1

I want to know more about my money. How are you spending it?

Your money is valuable to us and we take your partnership seriously. That is why we make sure 100% of the proceeds from your donation will be applied directly toward implementing Guarding the Gifts mission, programs and projects.

Our goal is for every dime you donate to go directly toward guarding a gift and we are moving steadily in that direction by pursuing donations specifically for overhead expenses. Thank you again for your partnership, we don’t take it lightly and will be putting your donation to meaningful and great use. If you would like to join a special circle of individuals committed to our long-term growth, please consider becoming a sponsor.

What if I don't want to designate?

If you do not have a preference of what program your donation is allocated, then do not specify.

What is your privacy policy?

We are committed to ensuring that the information you share with us is recorded accurately, retained securely and used only according to your wishes. Click here to see our full Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Other

I would like to use a photo/map/graphic or reprint written material I saw on Guarding the Gifts website.

Please email us at info@guardingthegifts.org for media usage.

I am a journalist/producer/writer and I would like to do a story about Guarding the Gifts.

Please email us at info@guardingthegifts.org.

How can I learn more about a potential partnership or collaboration with Guarding the Gifts?

We are always open to new partners and ideas. Please email us at info@guardingthegifts.org.

How do I unsubscribe from the quarterly E-Newsletter?

To unsubscribe from our email newsletter use the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of every email message.