Gift Acceptance
and Management Policy

• The Concours and the Concours Foundation rely on a large network of donors, whose commitment and generosity are essential to achieving their mission as well as the sustainability of their activities. 
• A donor is considered to be any person or company having made a gift accepted by the Concours or by the Concours Foundation (excluding partnerships and sponsorships). 
• The donations offered allow, in particular, to maintain a high-quality international competition, produced under optimal conditions. 
• They contribute to launching the careers of the new generation of artists, while helping shape the face of tomorrow’s classical music. 
• These contributions offer cultural events that enrich the dynamism of the Montréal arts scene and promote accessibility to classical music.

• This policy aims to guarantee informed decision-making regarding the acceptance and management of donations in compliance with legal and ethical requirements. 
• It ensures uniformity in solicitation practices as well as transparency in the declaration of donations. 
• It helps ensure efficient management of fundraising activities while respecting the mission of the organizations. 
• The policy also aims to inform donors of the different types of gifts accepted and to define the guidelines of good practices followed.

• The donation policy is designed to allow donors to contribute to the vitality of classical music, while receiving recognition for their support. 
• It applies to all fundraising activities conducted by the Concours, the Foundation, or any entity authorized to act on their behalf. 
• It governs the acceptance of all types of donations from businesses, associations, foundations, and individuals.

• Donations and other contributions must be made in a manner that respects the fundamental interests of the Concours and its Foundation’s mission. 
• Undesignated or unrestricted donations are used to meet priority needs defined by the general management. 
• The acceptance of donations and the signing of agreements are placed, depending on the nature and value of the gift, under the responsibility of the philanthropy department, the general management, and/​or the Boards of Directors. 
• Any refusal of a donation by the Concours or the Concours Foundation is final. 
• The types of donations accepted include monetary donations, financial assets, shares, as well as one-time, recurring, or planned donations. 
• Donations of life insurance policies, testamentary bequests, donations in services, personal/​corporate property, and donations granting exclusivity conditions must be pre-approved by the general management. 
• Donations of artworks valued at more than $5,000 must be pre-approved by the general management, and potentially by a special committee. 
• The Concours does not grant any donation exclusivity to a donor across all of its activities, except for certain specific projects where limited conditions may be negotiated. 
• Any other form of donation is examined on a case-by-case basis.

• Testamentary bequests are accepted provided they respect or support the general missions and projects, without requiring the creation of new projects (except in the case of an exceptional bequest). 
• All property and assets received may be converted into monetary form without prior notice. 
• The Boards of Directors are the final judges of the capacity to accept a testamentary bequest not previously approved during the donor’s lifetime.

• Donations in services may be accepted, and even encouraged, if they are deemed useful for carrying out activities and pursuing the mission. 
• No tax receipt can be issued for a donation in services. 
• Any donation in services may be refused if it does not meet an identified need.

• Donations in kind are subject to approval by the Board of Directors if they entail specific restrictions or conditions. 
• Any donation in kind offered for an auction or a draw is considered property given voluntarily, without obligation of consideration. 
• An independent appraisal must be provided by the donor at the time of the donation, although the organization reserves the right to submit its own appraisal. 
• A descriptive receipt is provided for donations intended for an auction or draw, detailing the property, its fair market value, preservation and sale conditions, as well as return conditions. 

• The Concours and the Concours Foundation are authorized to issue official receipts for eligible donations. 
• The issuance is carried out in accordance with applicable laws, and in the event of a discrepancy, legislation prevails over the policy. 
• A tax receipt is issued for all eligible donations within reasonable timeframes, based on the fair market value, in the name of the true donor, and taking into account the value of any advantages received. 

• A receipt for a donation in kind is issued only if the fair market value can be established and documented. 
• For property valued at $1,000 or more, a written independent appraisal is required. 
• During an auction donation, the donor receives a receipt based on the fair market value if the property is sold. The buyer (winning bidder) only receives a receipt if the fair market value was made public and if the bid exceeds 125% of this value (the advantage not exceeding 80%). 
• Services offered as a lot do not qualify for a tax receipt. 
• A gift certificate qualifies for a tax receipt if purchased by an individual or business, but not if issued for free by a merchant. 

• A recognition program is regularly updated by the philanthropy department and transmitted upon acceptance of the donation. 
• No advantage of an exclusive, commercial, promotional nature, or exchange of influence may be given by the Concours or the Foundation. 
• No advantage may be offered directly by a member or administrator on behalf of the organizations. 

Both entities are committed to ensuring the security and confidentiality of donors’ personal information through the application of their privacy policy. 

• It is the responsibility of the philanthropy, funding, and partnerships department to apply this policy under the supervision of the general management. 
• The general management may submit to the Boards of Directors any question regarding the application of this policy.