Online Christmas campaign and digital experience in Canada

An online Christmas campaign with no stall or raffle: four digital experiences, still concepts, where every gift becomes a decoration, a star or a card.

In short An online Christmas campaign spares you the stall and the street permits: one donation page is enough, and every gift becomes a decoration, a star, a present or a card. The four WeGlow.world experiences are still concepts until the official launch. Check the Canadian rules.

This article describes the rules in Canada.

Here is what an online campaign makes possible, the four WeGlow.world experiences, and what to check in Canada.

Why run an online Christmas campaign?

An online campaign takes about three weeks to prepare, with two or three people, and is shared by e-mail and text message. No stall to rent. The risk: a plain "donate" button tells no story.

That is where a digital experience helps. Instead of a counter that creeps up, every donor leaves a trace the others can see: a decoration on the tree, a star in the sky, a card on the wall. The gift becomes something people want to show.

For what comes next, read our Christmas fundraising ideas for a charity in Canada and our guide to organising a Christmas campaign in Canada.

What an online campaign changes for the rules

In Canada, the rules are split between levels. Receipts fall under the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), lotteries are licensed by each province, and soliciting in public depends on the city. In Montréal, for example, the city says you cannot solicit on sidewalks, streets and public places.

A donation page sells no tickets and approaches nobody on the street, but check your city's rules. Also avoid mixing in a draw. The Criminal Code (section 207) requires a provincial licence for a charitable lottery, and the CRA states that buying a ticket is not a gift: it earns no receipt for the ticket price. For a draw, contact the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux in Québec, or the authority in your province.

The four Christmas experiences from WeGlow.world

The four experiences are concepts. They are shown as demos, before the official launch, and their final form may change. They share one thread: every gift becomes a visible element in a Christmas setting that other visitors can explore.

The Glow Room

The Glow Room is a cosy 3D living room with a Christmas tree. Every gift becomes a decoration hung on the tree, and the room fills up as the campaign goes on.

It suits a charity that wants a shared moment, where the community lights up a room together.

The Starry Sky

In the Starry Sky, every gift becomes a star, and the visitor flies from star to star. It is the calmest option.

It fits charities that prefer a restrained presentation, where each gesture has its place in the same sky.

The Gift Yard

The Gift Yard lets you choose the setting: forest, village, frozen lake, cabin or library. Every gift becomes a present, and the visitor flies on to the next one.

The tone is playful and warm, and families like it.

The Card Wall

On the Card Wall, envelopes hang from a string, and every card is a stamp. It has the most personal feel, written by hand.

The wall gradually forms one big collective message, a good fit for a neighbourhood charity or a local cause.

How do you choose between the four?

Choose according to the tone of your charity. Here is a quick guide, with no absolute rule.

  • A shared, visible moment: the Glow Room.
  • A calm presentation, star after star: the Starry Sky.
  • A playful tone for families: the Gift Yard.
  • Handwritten words: the Card Wall.

How to do it with WeGlow.world

If your charity is on WeGlow.world, you create a donation page in three steps: amount, personal details, summary. It accepts one-off and monthly gifts, with a label for each amount, and works on a phone. The donor gives a first name and an e-mail address.

We do not claim that WeGlow.world payments are already available to Canadian charities: that is not confirmed today. Ask us where availability stands.

Suggested schedule, over three weeks.

  1. Week 1: create your account, prepare the donation page and write the thank-you text.
  2. Week 2: choose the experience, your colours and your logo, then test with two or three friends.
  3. Week 3: announce the campaign by e-mail and on social media, and invite your supporters to start their own campaign page.

The thank-you e-mail goes out automatically if you have written a thank-you text. Create your account to start for free with an account, and contact us if you want to follow the official launch of the experiences.

What about the official donation receipt?

Only a charity registered with the CRA can issue an official donation receipt. The donor claims a non-refundable tax credit. According to the Department of Finance, the first $200 of gifts earns a federal credit of 14% in 2026, then 29% above that, and 33% for the highest income bracket.

The limit is generally 75% of net income, and unused gifts carry forward for 5 years. The gift must be made by 31 December at the latest, and the donor keeps receipts for 6 years. Provincial credits have their own rates: in Québec, ask Revenu Québec for the rates.

The receipt must include, among other things, a unique serial number and your CRA registration number. We do not promise that WeGlow.world issues these receipts in Canada: your charity remains responsible for them. For details, read our article on Christmas donation receipts in Canada.

What about campaign e-mails?

The Canadian law against spam (CASL) includes an exception for a message sent by a registered charity whose primary purpose is to raise funds. Outside that exception, you need express or implied consent, a clear identification of the sender and an unsubscribe mechanism, applied within 10 business days.

In Québec, Law 25 targets "enterprises": ask the Commission d'accès à l'information whether it applies to your charity (clear privacy policy, separate consent for each use).

Frequently asked questions

Here are five frequent questions before launching an online Christmas campaign.

Are the Christmas experiences already available?

Not officially. They are concepts, visible as demos, until the official launch. Follow progress on the WeGlow.world Christmas page.

Do WeGlow.world payments work in Canada?

We cannot confirm that today. Write to us through the contact page before planning your campaign.

Do you need a permit for an online Christmas campaign?

The sources we read cover soliciting in public, and the rules vary by city and province. Ask your municipality, and the provincial authority if you add a draw.

How long does it take to prepare the campaign?

Allow three weeks and two or three people: one for the donation page, one for the texts and the e-mail, one for social media. Start in October to be ready in early December.

Does my charity have to be registered to issue receipts?

Yes. Only a charity registered with the CRA, with a registration number, can issue an official donation receipt. An ordinary non-profit cannot.

Sources

Articles