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CNIB Partners in Vision - Frequently Asked Questions

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Browse the questions below to find out more about your monthly donations as a CNIB Partner in Vision. If you can't find the information you're looking for here, call us toll-free at 1-800-563-2642 or email monthly.giving@cnib.ca. One of our specialists will be happy to assist you.

ADMINISTRATIVE

When will I receive my tax receipt?

Consolidated tax receipts for monthly donations are sent out each year in February by mail or email. Mailed receipts are sent via Canada Post, so there may occasionally be delays outside of our control.

If your tax receipt hasn’t arrived by March 1, please contact our Donor Care team at monthly.giving@cnib.ca or 1-800-563-2642 to confirm your contact details and request a new receipt.

If you have moved and would like to update your mailing address for your tax receipt, you can also do this online by visiting cnib.ca/updateinfo.

How do I update my contact details?

You can update your contact details by phone at 1-800-563-2642, or by emailing monthly.giving@cnib.ca. You can also easily and quickly update your contact details online at cnib.ca/updateinfo.

How do I make changes to my monthly donation?

You can easily increase your monthly donation amount by visiting cnib.ca/managemygift. All other changes to your donation can be made by contacting our Donor Services team at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1.

For security reasons, our Donor Services team will first ask you for some details to verify your identity. Please be prepared to share details like your name, mailing address, and email address. To speed up the process, please include this information or have it ready when contacting our Donor Services team.

How long does my donation continue for? Do I have to renew my gift every year?

Your monthly donation to CNIB will continue indefinitely. It does not automatically expire after a set period of time. You are in control of your donation and can contact us any time with questions or make changes to your gift (subject to 10 business days’ notice ahead of your scheduled donation) at monthly.giving@cnib.ca or by phone at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1.

How do I update my banking or credit card details?

To securely update your bank or credit card details, please call us at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST, and one of our Donor Services agents will be happy to help you. We strongly discourage sending financial details by email.

Can I pause my donation?

Absolutely! If you have a large expense coming up or know you may need to take a brief break from your regular donation, you can contact our Donor Services team at monthly.giving@cnib.ca or by phone at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1, and pause your monthly gift for up to three months (subject to 10 business days’ notice ahead of your scheduled donation).

MONTHLY GIVING

Why should I give monthly?

  • It’s easy and convenient. Monthly gifts are safely and securely deducted on the first or 15th business day of each month, and we mail one convenient annual tax receipt before tax time.
  • Monthly donations go farther. Monthly gifts reduce CNIB’s administrative and postage costs – meaning more of your support goes directly to those who need it.
  • You are in charge. If for any reason you need to make changes to your monthly gift, you can contact us at 1-800-563-2642 and press 1, or monthly.giving@cnib.ca to pause, adjust the amount, or cancel your gift. It's that easy.
  • You can be confident knowing your gifts change lives. As a monthly donor, you will receive regular updates showing you the real impact you’re making in the lives of Canadians with sight loss in your community.
  • You’re helping us plan for the future. Monthly donations provide us with an important, reliable, and predictable source of funding, allowing us to plan for the future and fulfill our commitments to our participants.
  • It's manageable. For some, a large lump sum donation at the end of the year is not always possible. A small monthly donation can fit easily into most budgets – and it's automatic! No need to remember to donate each month.

Is this a contract?

You are in complete control of your monthly donation; it is not a contract. There is no minimum duration required, though we do ask donors to consider giving for at least 12 months. Most monthly donors find the process so simple and rewarding that they give for many, many years.

One of the benefits of monthly giving is the ability to control the amount of your gift and make adjustments when needed, so that your gift always fits within your budget. There is no fee to change or cancel a monthly donation.

Where can I learn more about your fundraising methods?

To learn more about our fundraising practices, please visit this link: cnib.ca/donorfaq.

DONOR EXPERIENCE

Is my donation supporting one single person or program?

Whether it’s children and youth groups, employment workshops, recreational activities, peer support groups, or technology training sessions, our innovative programs are designed to educate, engage, and support our participants of all ages across all areas of their lives.

Monthly donations from Partners in Vision support all five pillars of our programming – Live, Play, Work, Learn, and Tech – rather than one individual person or program. This ensures funds are being used efficiently and supporting the areas of greatest need. We provide you with regular updates on our programming, allowing you to see the true impact of your generosity from coast to coast to coast.

What can I expect to receive as a Partner in Vision monthly donor?

As a Partner in Vision, you’ll receive a welcome package containing a letter, a brochure with details about our programs, and a small gift as a token of our gratitude. You’ll also receive regular emails from us, providing you with updates on CNIB programming. We also mail a calendar, filled with photos of our gorgeous CNIB guide dogs and guide-dogs-in-training, each year.

When will my welcome package arrive?

Your welcome package – containing a letter, a brochure, and a small gift as a token of our appreciation – should arrive in four to six weeks' time. Welcome packages are mailed via Canada Post, so there may occasionally be delays outside of our control.

If your welcome package hasn’t arrived after six weeks, please contact our Donor Services team at monthly.giving@cnib.ca or 1-800-563-2642 and press 1 to confirm your contact details and request a new package.

How is my donation used?

As a Partner in Vision, your gift is supporting all CNIB programming in your community, as well as national programs, like CNIB Lake Joe.

Whether it’s children and youth groups, employment workshops, recreational activities, peer support groups, or technology training sessions, our innovative programs are designed to educate, engage, and support our participants of all ages across all areas of their lives.

Your monthly gift ensures that CNIB programs are always free and available to Canadians who are blind or partially sighted, as well as their families, friends, and caregivers.

Virtual or in-person, our programs are designed to address the needs of people of all ages to:

SunLIVE BETTER Emotional support and peer groups

shoePLAY AND HAVE FUN Social, recreation, and arts groups

briefcase WORK WITH PURPOSE Information, training, and job skills

BookLEARN NEW THINGS Support in the classroom and beyond

PhoneGET TECH SAVVY Independence through technology

 

CNIB LAKE JOE

What is CNIB Lake Joe?

For over 60 years, CNIB Lake Joe has been providing enriching camp experiences for Canadians with sight loss – where children are encouraged to shine, youth are empowered to thrive, and 'kids of all ages' enjoy recreational pursuits.

CNIB Lake Joe is a fully accessible lakefront facility in the heart of Muskoka that offers a unique blend of recreation and skills development in a safe, inclusive environment. At CNIB Lake Joe, people living with sight loss and their families can enjoy the same summer pursuits as other Canadians: canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, swimming, sailing, and fishing – as well as the skills training, confidence building, and support offered by a community that understands living with sight loss.

CNIB Lake Joe is proud to be an accredited member of the Ontario Camps Association and an affiliated member of the Lifesaving Society. Click here to learn more about CNIB Lake Joe.

How can I register myself or a loved one to attend Lake Joe?

CNIB Lake Joe offers programming for children and youth, as well as adults!

In addition to our in-person camp programming, we also run CNIB Lake Joe@Home virtual programs year-round, both online and by phone.

To learn more and register for any of our CNIB Lake Joe programming, visit this link.

Can campers attend CNIB Lake Joe even if they don’t live in Ontario?

We welcome guests from across Canada and around the world!

CNIB Lake Joe is open to people with sights loss of all ages, as well as their families and caregivers. Many campers travel from across the country and around the world to attend our one-of-a-kind facility.

How much does it cost to attend Lake Joe?

Thanks to the generosity of CNIB supporters, including Partners in Vision monthly donors, camp registration fees are highly subsidized to keep camp fees as low as possible. We do charge a nominal fee to attend CNIB Lake Joe, which we have found significantly improves attendance rates. The subsidized fee covers meals, accommodations, ground transportation, and all on-site programs and activities.

Financial barriers should never prevent a child who is blind or partially sighted from experiencing the magic of CNIB Lake Joe. Thanks to our generous supporters, further subsidies are available for those who qualify.

Does CNIB offer programming for children and youth outside of CNIB Lake Joe in Ontario?

Growing up with sight loss can bring practical, emotional, and social challenges.

Thanks to support from our donors, including monthly support from our Partners in Vision, CNIB continues to offer innovative programs and services that empower children and youth who are blind or have low vision. These programs provide young people with the tools and opportunities to grow into confident, self-motivated, and independent adults – and moreover, into the global citizens and decision-makers of the future.

Programming for children and youth includes local recreation and day camps across Canada, essential life skills programming, support beyond the classroom, and so much more. Click here to learn more about CNIB Children and Youth programming in your area.

Don’t see your question answered here?

Please contact our Donor Services team at monthly.giving@cnib.ca or 1-800-563-2642. Or submit your question online through our contact form.