Questions and Answers About the Matching Private Donors

Who are you?

There are actually two different families providing the matching donations. First Gordon and Carmel Sick offered up to $5000 in matching funds, and when it was announced at the RAS Annual General Meeting that all their matching funds had been given, Darrell and Sheilagh Cook offered to provide up to $5000 in a follow-on matching program.
Gordon is the President and Webmaster for RAS. Darrell and Sheilagh Cook are founding members of RAS and have been frequent contributors to RAS, often through their company, Gibraltar Mortgage.

Why are you doing this?

We believe that RAS is doing a very valuable service that cannot be obtained elsewhere in Calgary. We have donated RAS in the past, but are concerned that RAS needs a broader source of donations than it has now. The match provides attractive leverage for the other donors. It also provides leverage for our donations.

Why do you match donations made only until the end of November?

We want to get a tax receipt for 2009, so we want to know how much to provide in matching funds before the end of December.

What will you do if there are donations over $10,000?

We will suggest to RAS that they ask these donors to become matching donors themselves, so they can also see their donations being levered.

Can my donation be anonymous, if you are doing the match?

We only need to know the amount of your donation from the RAS staff and accounting personnel. Please let RAS staff know if you are personal donor, as opposed to a foundation or corporation. If you are a personal donor, we can apply for matching funds in the Community Spirit program.