Yes, we are fundraising!
CNIB has partnered with fundraising organizations Globalfaces Direct, TNI and Public Outreach to fundraise safely for monthly donations in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and other regions across Canada.
Why do you do face-to-face fundraising?
Face-to-face fundraising is when representatives from a charity hit the streets, go door-to-door, or canvass in shopping malls to raise awareness about their cause and ask members of the public to support their organization with a monthly donation.
Like many charities in Canada, the CNIB Foundation has engaged in face-to-face fundraising in select regions across the country. We do this for two reasons: It enables us to raise awareness about the issues facing Canadians who are blind, low vision, or Deafblind, and also because it's a cost-effective way of getting sustainable monthly donations, enabling us to direct more of your support to those who need it.
Fundraising representatives are expected to conduct themselves in an honest, respectful, and effective manner that ensures a positive experience for anyone they engage with, and the best possible results for CNIB. When operating, our canvassers do not work on commission. The amount of donations they secure does not affect their earnings.
If you have any questions about our fundraising, contact us at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1.
How can I tell if a face-to-face fundraiser is legitimate?
When operating, canvassers working on behalf of our organization wear CNIB-branded vests or t-shirts and name tags displaying their photo. They also use electronic tablets, not paper forms, to ensure financial information from our donors is kept safe and secure. The fundraiser should be able to answer questions about CNIB and our programs if you ask them to. For their personal safety, face-to-face canvassers cannot accept cash donations. If you have any questions about our fundraising, contact us at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1.
How are you keeping donors and fundraisers safe?
Canvassers are hired to fundraise for pre-authorized monthly donations, which can’t be collected in cash. They are also not allowed to accept cash for their physical safety, as it would make them regular targets for mugging and robbery. There would also be a much higher risk for loss.
Donating via the tablet that the canvassers carry is the most secure way for an individual to contribute when donating via face-to-face. The tablets use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and the tablet never stores the financial information – it is encrypted and uploaded directly to the CNIB Foundation. The canvasser does not have access to any personal or payment information, and if the tablet is lost or stolen, no one would be able to access the information collected.
It’s also important to note that in order to represent us, all CNIB Foundation canvassing representatives must pass a criminal record or police background check. Learn more about the safety measures we have in place.
If you do not feel safe or comfortable speaking with one of our fundraisers, please feel free to not to approach or engage with them on the street or at your door.
What is the sign-up process with a face-to-face canvasser?
We are partnered with three face-to-face fundraising organizations across Canada: Globalfaces Direct, Public Outreach, and TNI The Network Inc.
If signing up on the spot with a door-to-door Globalfaces Direct fundraiser, donor information will be captured securely on a tablet device and then confirmed via phone by their call centre. Your fundraiser will use one of the following numbers to reach their call centre, as it relates to your CNIB monthly donation: (888-539-6913, 1-833-471-1137 or 647-943-0840).
If signing up with a Public Outreach fundraiser at the door, in the mall, or on the street, fundraisers will capture donation details via their secure tablet device. You can expect to receive a phone call from one of the following numbers to verify that the information collected is accurate: (289-401-1593, 778-508-9750, 438-801-3028, or 581-705-6997).
If signing up with a TNI canvasser at the door, contact details are captured by the fundraiser on a tablet device. To complete the process, you will then receive a text message with a link that will take you to a secure online form on your mobile phone, where you will enter your donation details. Once the form is complete and submitted, you will be instructed to call the secure verification centre at 1-855-567-0971 to confirm your details.
With all methods of sign-up, you will receive an email confirmation afterwards, and you may receive a welcome text and/or call within one week.
What are your face-to-face and tele-fundraising hours?
Our canvass times vary by province, and we fundraise 5-7 days per week depending on the time of year:
- Our Street fundraisers canvass between the hours of 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Our Mall fundraisers canvass during mall hours, from open until close.
- Our Door-to-Door fundraisers canvass between the hours of 12 p.m. – 9 p.m., depending on where they are located.
- Our Telefundraisers call between the hours of 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and between 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on weekends.
If you have any questions about our fundraising, contact us at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1.