Organising a Christmas campaign in 6 weeks in Canada
A 6-week plan for a Christmas campaign in Canada: permits, the Quebec raffle licence, tax receipts, emails, donation page and thank-yous.
In short A Christmas campaign takes 6 weeks to prepare: two for the plan and permits, two for mobilising people, one for the launch and one for thank-yous. In Canada, gifts count from 1 January to 31 December, and a raffle needs a provincial licence, with a 30-day lead time for class A in Quebec.
this article describes the rules in Canada.
A successful Christmas campaign depends on a realistic timeline, a team of 5 to 10 people and checks made early.
The 6-week timeline
Count back from 31 December, the last day a gift counts for the tax year. A campaign launched in mid-November leaves time to check the rules and build the page.
- Week 1: goal, target amount, team and choice of idea.
- Week 2: permits, donation page and texts.
- Week 3: email, social media and ambassadors.
- Week 4: public launch, with a clear first message.
- Week 5: reminders, tracking the counter and publishing an update.
- Week 6: last call before 31 December, then thank-yous.
Week 1: one goal, one team, one idea
Set a goal your donors understand in one sentence, for example "40 Christmas hampers for families in our neighbourhood".
Gather 5 to 10 people and share the roles: one person for the message, one for permits, one for social media and one for thank-yous. To choose the idea, see our Christmas campaign ideas for a Canadian organisation.
Week 2: permits and rules
This is the week when deadlines are decided. In Canada, lotteries are regulated by the provinces and solicitation in public spaces by municipalities. A permit obtained in one province is not valid in another.
Draw or raffle in Quebec
In Quebec, a charity based in the province can apply for a class A licence from the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux. The application is made at least 30 days before ticket sales or the event begin, and annual revenue from all systems under the licence cannot exceed $20,000.
The class A licence does not allow an electronic system to generate tickets, choose winners or award prizes. A transactional website for ticket sales alone is, however, permitted. Buying a ticket does not entitle the buyer to a receipt for tax purposes.
Elsewhere in Canada
Each province has its own rules. In Ontario, for example, a new applicant must apply at least 45 days before the event. For another province, contact the provincial lottery authority before announcing anything.
Solicitation in Montreal
In Montreal, door-to-door solicitation requires a permit. It is free for non-profit and charitable organisations in Montreal, valid for 12 months at most, and each person must hold their own. Solicitation is allowed only between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and not on sidewalks, streets or in public places.
For a Christmas market or another city, ask your municipality.
Week 2: the donation page and receipts
Keep your donation page simple. On WeGlow.world, giving takes three steps: amount, details, summary. You can offer a one-off or monthly gift, with amounts and a label per amount, such as "A hot meal". The page also displays well on a phone.
An official donation receipt can be issued only by a charity registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The details are in our article on Christmas donation receipts in Canada.
Tax benefits: what you can tell your donors
Federally, the donation tax credit is non-refundable and is claimed on the income tax return. According to the Department of Finance, the first $200 of gifts qualify for the lowest rate, reduced to 14% for 2026, and the rest for 29%, or 33% for the highest income bracket.
Unused gifts can be carried forward for 5 years, within the usual limit of 75% of net income. The old figures of 15% and 29% are no longer correct for a gift made in December 2026.
Provincial credits have their own rates. For Quebec residents, the return is filed with Revenu Québec: send your donors to that body for the rates.
Week 3: the email to your donors
In Canada, Canada's anti-spam legislation (CASL, known as LCAP in French) provides an exception for a message sent by a registered charity whose primary purpose is raising funds.
This exception does not cover every non-profit. Without it, you need express or implied consent and an unsubscribe mechanism. In Quebec, Law 25 targets "enterprises": ask the Commission d'accès à l'information whether it applies to your organisation.
Weeks 4 and 5: launch and keep the campaign alive
Launch with a short message: who you are helping, how much you need, how to give. Then ask your members, volunteers and partners to start their own action page to raise gifts from the people close to them.
Publish an update every week: the amount reached, a photo, a thank-you.
Week 6: the last call and the thank-yous
31 December is the deadline for a gift to count in the year. Send a final message in the last days of the year, reminding people that gifts made by then count for the current tax year.
Say thank you quickly. On WeGlow.world, a thank-you email goes out after a gift if your organisation has written its thank-you text: prepare it in week 2.
How to do it with WeGlow.world
Create a donation page, switch on one-off and monthly gifts, write the thank-you text and invite your supporters to create their own action page. You can start for free with an account.
WeGlow.world is also preparing four Christmas experiences, still concepts before the official launch. In the Glow Room, a 3D living room, every gift becomes a decoration on the tree. The Starry Sky turns every gift into a star. See the Glow Room and the Starry Sky, or our guide to the online Christmas campaign in Canada.
Payment availability for Canadian organisations is not confirmed: contact us before you commit, or create an account to explore the platform.
Frequently asked questions
Are six weeks enough for a Christmas campaign?
Yes, if the idea is simple and permits are requested from week 2. A class A draw in Quebec needs a 30-day lead time: start that file first.
Until what date does a gift count for the year?
A gift must be made between 1 January and 31 December to count for that tax year. For a Christmas gift, the deadline is therefore 31 December.
Do I need a licence for a draw in Quebec?
In principle, yes: section 207 goes through a provincial licence, issued in Quebec by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux. Class A provides for 30 days to apply and at most $20,000 of annual revenue.
Do I need a permit to solicit in Montreal?
Yes, for door-to-door: the permit is free for non-profit and charitable organisations in Montreal, and each person has their own. For other cities, ask the municipality.
Can I issue a receipt for a raffle ticket?
No. According to the Canada Revenue Agency, buying a lottery ticket is not a gift. Only genuine gifts to a registered organisation entitle the donor to an official receipt.
Sources
Official sources, checked on 9 October 2026: