When most people think about giving, they picture writing a cheque, getting a tax receipt, and feeling good about supporting a cause. That’s great, but what if I told you there’s a way to multiply your impact without spending more out of pocket?

I’m talking about a strategy that lets your donation go two, three, even four times further. For accredited investors in Canada, it’s one of the most powerful ways to align your wealth with your values. And the best part? It’s 100% supported by Canadian tax law, with no market risk and no surprises.

This is called charity flow-through. And once you see how it works, you’ll never look at giving the same way again.

Why Regular Giving Leaves Money on the Table

Here’s how traditional giving usually works: you donate $1, you get a tax receipt, and you save about 50 cents on your taxes. Not bad.

But if you’re in a high tax bracket, or if you want to make a truly meaningful difference with your philanthropy, you’re leaving a lot of impact on the table.

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Flow-Through Giving: The Strategy Behind It

Charity flow through uses a longstanding feature of Canadian tax law: flow-through shares, to make giving smarter, more efficient, and far more powerful.

Here’s the simple version:

1. You buy flow through shares from a Canadian exploration company.
   
   
2. You deduct the full purchase from your income, just like an RRSP contribution, which gives you a substantial tax break.
   
   
3. Right away, you sell the shares to a prearranged buyer, so you’re not stuck with market risk.
   
   
4. You donate the proceeds to your chosen charity.
   
   
5. On top of that, you get another charitable tax credit.
   
   

The result? For every $1 the charity receives, your out-of-pocket cost is only about 25 cents.

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What That Looks Like in Real Life

Let’s say you want to donate $1.

• You buy $1.50 in flow-through shares.
  
  
• You get 75 cents back in tax savings, plus up to another 15% tax credit depending on the project.
  
  
• You instantly sell the shares for $1 cash.
  
  
• You donate that $1 to your charity and get another 50 cents back in tax savings.
  
  

Scale that up and a $1,000,000 donation would typically cost around $250,000 out of pocket. That alone makes flow-through giving about four times more efficient than writing a cheque.

But here’s where it gets even more powerful. With the right structuring — like using critical mineral credits and provincial stacking — the cost can drop even further. In some cases, donors have been able to give $1,000,000 for as little as $25,000 out of pocket.

It’s not that your $25K somehow “grows” into $1M — it’s the layering of tax deductions, credits, and prearranged liquidity that makes your net cost of giving unbelievably small.

That’s the kind of efficiency that changes legacies — the kind of gift that puts your name on a building.

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Why This Matters

Since 2006, structured flow-through transactions have generated billions in financing for Canadian exploration projects while also fueling charitable giving across the country.

This model is:

• Proven and trusted by Canada’s top tax experts.
  
  
• Fully compliant and backed by multiple advanced tax rulings.
  
  
• Already used by foundations, institutions, and major donors across Canada.
  
  

Most importantly: it’s a way to give smarter, not harder.

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My Takeaway

For me, this isn’t just about saving tax. It’s about making a bigger difference for the causes that matter to you while keeping more in your pocket.

Imagine setting aside $1 for charity and watching it multiply into $4 or $5 of impact without spending a penny more than you planned. That’s what flow-through philanthropy makes possible.

And if you’re an accredited Canadian investor, it might be one of the most meaningful wealth strategies you’ll ever explore.

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Your partner in wealth,

Afsha Butt

CEO & Founder, Wealthverse

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, tax, or investment advice. Flow-through shares are complex structures that depend on individual circumstances. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Please consult directly with a Wealthverse financial consultant before making any financial or philanthropic decisions.

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