By donating a major gift to Parkinson Canada, you have the opportunity to direct your gift to specific areas, programs or initiatives that are important to you. We can help you determine what opportunities would maximize the value of your gift.

National Research Program

Investing in research is one of the cornerstones of what we do at Parkinson Canada. Each year, the National Research Program funds grants, awards and fellowships for a number of scientists and medical researchers across Canada These projects help expand our knowledge and understanding of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s and often serve as a stepping stone for larger research projects that will yield significant findings and new discoveries.

Parkinson Canada supports early research and new investigators. Many young scientists – funded by Parkinson Canada – have gone on to become important Parkinson’s researchers, encouraged by this early support.

“The generosity of Parkinson Canada has allowed me significant growth as a young scientist, brought prestige to my developing career and helped me accomplish a number of goals laid out in my initial proposal … my involvement with Parkinson Canada has also given me a chance to interact with patients, share my research with the community and strengthened my resolve to continue striving towards treatments for this disease.”
Naila Kuhlmann
Graduate student in neuroscience
University of British Columbia
May 6, 2015

Parkinson Canada funds investigator-driven discovery research, allowing researchers to be creative and try novel ideas, an approach that promotes discovery and breakthroughs. A further focus on clinical fellowships and new investigator awards, in addition to psychosocial research streams, gives physicians the opportunity to receive additional training and/or acquire specialized expertise in clinical aspects of Parkinson disease and other movement disorders. By providing funding to new investigators, the National Research Program creates a generation of committed Parkinson researchers and allows opportunities to investigate new ideas that other research programs may not support.

Investments in research by Parkinson Canada have generated many internationally acknowledged breakthroughs in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease.  Canada is a leader in Parkinson’s research and we must continue to invest in life-changing discoveries that bring us closer to a possible cure for this disease.

Since 1981, Parkinson Canada has invested more than $26 million in 503 research projects. As of September 2016, Parkinson Canada is proud to support 19 new grant, fellowships and student awards. These new awards represent a total of $1,124,018 committed to support new research projects in Canada over the next two years.

The National Research Program funds the following:
  1. Graduate Student Awards -$30,000
  2. Basic Research Fellowships – $40,000 – $50,000
  3. New Investigator Awards and Pilot Project grants – $ ranges depending on project $45,000-$90,000. Specific: Pilot Project Grants $45,000 and New Investigator awards $90,000
  4. Clinical Movement Disorder Fellowship – $50,000
  5. Clinical Research Fellowship – $100,000
  6. Collaborative Program in NeuroScience Meeting – University of Toronto – Parkinson Canada Poster Presentation -$1,500
  7. Scientific Advisory Board Adjudication Meeting & Symposium – $15,000
  8. Psycho Social Research Program – $150,000-$270,000 – A three year commitment -$ranges depending on project
Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease – 2nd Edition

In 2012, we published the first ever Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease. The information in this publication enabled medical professionals to get the most up-to-date information on symptoms, progress, treatment and self-management of the disease. This was a very important step in ensuring consistent, high level care for people with Parkinson’s across the country.

Our knowledge of Parkinson’s disease grows with each year. Great strides are being made to understand how we may help Canadian’s with Parkinson’s better manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

One of the projects we are currently working on is the development of the 2nd edition of The Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson ’s Disease. Parkinson’s disease is a complex neurological condition and each person’s experience is unique, from age of onset, to diagnosis, progression and treatment options to manage the many symptoms. The Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease, 2nd Edition, will provide health care professionals with recommendations that will guide their clinical practice on how to best manage the disease and improve the standard of care for individuals with Parkinson’s across Canada.

Dr. David Grimes MD, FRCPC (Director, Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic, Associate Professor, Neurology, Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa) will be the lead author again on this publication. The intention of the 2nd Edition is to address the gap areas from the 1st Edition of the publication, such as the non-motor symptoms of the disease, as well as ensuring that other interdisciplinary professionals such as pharmacists and nurses are also aware and using the Guidelines.

The Canadian Guidelines on Parkinson’s Disease, 2nd Edition, will require a total investment of $250,000 over a two year period. Partial funding is a welcomed option. The goal is to have the 2nd Edition published and available by the end of 2017.

Recognition Opportunities

Parkinson Canada provides recognition opportunities in consultation with the funding donor.  Possible recognition includes shared named recognition for the duration on any grant, award or fellowship; acknowledgement of the funding source on publications; named recognition at Parkinson Canada event(s).  Such opportunities will be taken into consideration and included in the pledge or gift agreement.

Gifts of Stocks & Securities

A donation of publicly traded securities is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can support Parkinson Canada. And you can avoid the capital gains tax that you would normally have to pay if you sold the securities and then donated the proceeds. Parkinson Canada will issue you a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value of the security on the date of transfer into our brokerage account. You can donate securities now, or as part of your estate planning.

How does it work?

Here’s an example of the benefits of donating stocks.

Consider a donor in the 46% tax bracket (assuming a provincial tax rate of 17%) who has already donated $200 this year to a charity (the first $200 of charitable donations attracts tax credits at a lower rate). Assume she donates stock worth $10,000, which is the current value of the shares with an adjusted cost base of $4,000.

Sell Shares and Donate the Cash Donate Shares Directly
Market Value of Securities $10,000 $10,000
Adjusted Cost Base (securities original cost) $ 4,000 $ 4,000
Capital Gains ($10,000 – $4,000) $ 6,000 $ 6,000
Tax on Capital Gains @ 46% tax bracket -$1,380 paid out in taxes $ 000
Tax Savings on Gift $ 000 $ 1,380
Chart Source: CIBC Wood Gundy

To explore the benefits of this type of giving, please contact Naseem Jamal at naseem.jamal@parkinson.ca.

If you are thinking about making a gift of stock or securities to Parkinson Canada, it is recommended that you seek independent professional advice from a tax specialist, your lawyer or financial advisor.

Corporations & Foundations – Corporate Partnerships/Cause Marketing

We offer partnership opportunities at both the national and local level that will motivate and engage your team and build awareness through a Cause Marketing initiative. Parkinson Canada offers companies the opportunity to increase their exposure and align with the only national health charity serving Canadians.

Parkinson Canada also has the distinction of being accredited by the Imagine Canada’s Standards program, recognizing a quality of excellence in our governance, financial accountability and transparency.

Parkinson’s disease affects about 7 million people globally. By 2031 the Parkinson’s population in Canada over the age of 40 is anticipated to increase by 65% and those over the age of 65 with Parkinson’s disease will more than double. With more than 25 people a day diagnosed in Canada, chances are you know someone who has been affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Increasing awareness of Parkinson’s disease creates a rare opening for businesses who are motivated to offer support for a critically important cause while conveying a leadership investment in health for Canadians that is both strategic and proactive.

Your investment with Parkinson Canada will help:

  1. Raise brand awareness for both the for-profit business and the not-for-profit organization
  2. Contribute on a national level
  3. Contribute to local communities
  4. Exposure to new audiences
  5. Engage your employees to volunteers for Parkinson Canada events
  6. Develop effective Cause Marketing campaigns
  7. Generate invaluable goodwill and elevate your corporate profile

If you are interested in discussing cause-marketing initiatives with Parkinson’s Canada please contact Naseem Jamal, Senior Manager, Donor Engagement at naseem.jamal@parkinson.ca.

Submit a cause marketing proposal

Learn more (Powerpoint document)

Corporations & Foundations – Matching & Workplace Gifts

Your gift will change a life. Ask your employer to join you and do the same.

Participating in a matching gift program makes your donation go farther. Double the impact of your donation by telling your employer that you give to Parkinson Canada, Many companies match gifts made by employees and in some cases the match is dollar-for-dollar.

Here’s how to make a matching gift

  1. Make your donation
    Make sure to keep your receipt. Many corporate matching programs will honor a donation within the year that it has been made.
  2. Search for your employer using our lookup.
    Check if your employer already has a corporate matching program. Get in touch with your HR department to see if they would consider it and nominate Parkinson Canada for the first gift.
  3. Ask for your match
    Submit a photocopy of your donation to your corporate matching program and let us know that it is on the way by emailing us at donate@parkinson.ca.
  4. Make a long-term commitment
    When starting a new job many employees are given the opportunity to direct a portion of their paycheck to the charity of their choice through workplace giving programs through organizations such as Health Partners and the United Way. Please ask about your company’s workplace giving program and if Parkinson Canada is offered as a donation option, please consider choosing us as your charity of choice.

Questions? Please contact us at donate@parkinson.ca