Effective as of March 7, 2023.
How can I donate to The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund?
Donate Online
To donate online by VISA, MasterCard or AMEX, please use our secure form.
Donate by Phone
To make a donation by phone, please call our hotline at 416-869-4847.
Donate by Mail
Please make cheque or money order payable and mail to: The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund, 8 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8.
What is The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund?
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund, established in 1901 by Joseph E. Atkinson, is an initiative of The Toronto Star Children’s Charities. As a child, Mr. Atkinson knew of poverty first-hand, as he was the youngest of eight children growing up in a single-parent family after his father was killed in a work-related accident. When he became publisher of the Toronto Star, Mr. Atkinson appealed to Star readers to help underprivileged children escape the sweltering heat of the city by providing funds for picnics and excursions. This was the start of The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund. Today, The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund continues to offer meaningful summer experiences for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend summer camp.
What is the mission of The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund?
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund provides grants to both day and overnight camps to help subsidize the camp fees to provide summer recreation opportunities for children who otherwise could not afford to attend camp.
What is the relationship between The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund and The Toronto Star Children’s Charities?
The Toronto Star Children’s Charities is a registered charity with initiatives that bring hope, joy and curiosity to kids in Ontario. The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund is a century-old initiative that provides summer recreation opportunities for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.
Will I receive a charitable tax receipt for my donation to The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund?
We are able to provide a tax receipt for donations over $10. If you donate online via our secure form receipts are instantly and automatically generated. If you donate over the phone or by mail, receipts are provided at the end of each campaign and may be mailed or emailed.
What is the charitable registration number for the charity?
The Toronto Star Children’s Charities charitable registration number is #11926 7425 RR0001.
What makes The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund different from other charitable initiatives?
Established in 1901, The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund is one of Toronto’s oldest charitable initiatives. Since the Fund’s inception, the Toronto Star paid for the administrative expenses related to the Fund so that donations have a greater impact. Still today, the Toronto Star continues to pay for key administrative expenses and advertising.
What is the Fresh Air Fund’s annual fundraising target?
Our fundraising target changes from time to time to meet the need to support more than 100 different day and overnight camps.
Will my name appear in the newspaper or in any donor lists?
The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund may acknowledge contributions in a donor list within the newspaper and on our website.
When you make a donation, please select one of the following four options for recognition in connection with your donation:
Your First and Last Name;
“Anonymous”; or
“In Memory Of”, with the First and Last Name of someone who has passed on.
“In Honour Of”, with the First and Last Name of someone you would like to recognize.
If your donation is made by mail, please specify your preference in the “Memo” or “Notes” section of the cheque or enclose a note in the envelope indicating which of these four options you prefer.
How do I ensure my name is NOT published in the newspaper or in any donor lists?
Please indicate at the time of your donation if you would prefer for your donation to be anonymous.
How much does the charity spend on administrative costs and advertising?
Key administrative services and advertising for The Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund are generously provided by the Toronto Star.
Will I receive phone calls or mail asking for donations?
We do not employ third-party fundraising organizations or telemarketers to solicit money on our behalf. We may reach out to you directly from time to time by email, phone, or mail to provide you with updates on our programs and initiatives and for fundraising purposes. You may opt-out of these communications by following the instructions at the bottom of the email or speaking with us.
I would like to make a donation in lieu of a gift to someone, in memory or in honour of someone. Can I receive an acknowledgement card for my donation?
We are pleased to provide an acknowledgement card for donations of $25 or more. Please contact us directly if you would like an acknowledgement card to be sent or enclose the information with your cheque. We will need the recipient’s name and full mailing address, as well as the wording you wish to appear in the card and who the card is from.
Is it too late to make a donation?
We accept donations throughout the year, and our fundraising campaign timeline is typically from May to August each year.
Do you have any major sponsors or receive government funding?
We do not currently have any major sponsors or receive government funding.
Can I organize a fundraising event for your charity?
Yes! We ask that the event be organized with our prior consent and that any promotion or publicity materials be pre-approved by us. To follow our guidelines and help you organize your event successfully, please download our Event/Fundraising Kit (PDF).