Friends of Ruby
Support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth at Friends of Ruby!
Help us create a world where all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth feel validated, involved, and empowered to lead healthier lives.
“It’s amazing what people coming together can do.”
— EJ, former Friends of Ruby youth participant
Support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth with a monthly gift or a one-time generous donation.
Every dollar you give makes an impact. Your donation can be allocated as “unrestricted” to support Friends of Ruby’s highest and most immediate priorities to support the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
You can also direct your giving toward a specific area like:
Mental Health & Well-Being Programming
Your donation connects youth to counsellors who reflect their own identities and understand their unique challenges. The counselling team at Friends of Ruby are 100% members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Their personal and professional experience informs our comprehensive and collaborative approach to mental health and well-being.
Our mental health team works from an integrative, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and collaborative framework. Our counsellors combine therapeutic techniques and modalities to address different parts of people’s lives, experiences, and identities. Our integrative approach meets youth where they are.
Youth Services
With your financial support, Friends of Ruby Case Workers help 2SLGBTQIA+ youth find understanding doctors, get access to financial support, affordable housing, jobs, or the documents they need to reflect their true identities. Your donation connects youth to someone who understands their situation and knows how to help.
The Friends of Ruby Youth Drop-In Centre is a safe place to connect with 2SLGBTQIA+ peers, get healthy groceries and meals, consult a registered nurse, attend harm reduction workshops, join a discussion group for BIPOC youth, and enjoy weekly programming.
Housing Operations
Your donations can support Friends of Ruby Home, where youth are surrounded by dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ support staff who understand the challenges youth are facing, as they move along their path towards independent, stable, and empowered living.
Friends of Ruby Home was designed from the lived experience of homeless 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Every part of Friends of Ruby Home cultivates emotional well-being, confidence, and independence.
Thanks to your generosity, we can empower and support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Toronto to live healthy and independent lives.
Every service and program we offer is informed by 2SLGBQTIA+ youth, grounded in evidence, and supported by research. Our services and programs are led and facilitated by highly skilled 2SLGBQTIA+ individuals who reflect the diversity of the youth we serve.
Cheque
To donate by cheque, please make it payable to “Friends of Ruby.” Mail your cheque to:
ATTN: FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
FRIENDS OF RUBY
LL01 – 489 QUEEN ST E
TORONTO ON M5A 1V1
If you need more information, contact the Development Team at 416-359-0237, or email us at development@friendsofruby.ca with the subject line, “Cheque.”
E-transfer
To make your donation to Friends of Ruby by Interac or e-transfer, please make the email recipient, accounting@friendsofruby.ca.
Wire Transfer
To make your donation to Friends of Ruby by wire transfer, please use the following banking information:
Company Name: Friends of Ruby
Transit No.: 19682
Int. No.: 004
Account No.: 5326181
If you have any questions, please contact our Development Team at 416-359-0237, or email us at development@friendsofruby.ca with the subject line, “Wire Transfer.”
Donate by Phone
To make your donation to Friends of Ruby by phone, contact the Development Team directly at 416-359-0237, or email us at development@friendsofruby.ca with the subject line, “Donate by Phone.”
Gift of Securities
A donation of securities – including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds – is a tax-efficient way to give to charities.
Make a bigger impact when you donate securities directly.
When you donate securities directly to a charity like Friends of Ruby – as opposed to selling them and donating the proceeds – the capital gains tax is eliminated. This means you are left with more money to donate to the causes you care about, and you will receive a larger charitable tax credit.
Donating mutual funds, stocks, or publicly traded securities to Friends of Ruby is simple!
You can learn more about donating securities and mutual funds here or click the button below to safely donate your securities online to Friends of Ruby through our partnership with Canada Helps.
Planned Giving
When you plan to support Friends of Ruby with a legacy gift in your will, you are investing in the futures of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
By choosing to give even a small part of your estate to Friends of Ruby, you will provide 2SLGBTQIA+ youth with the mental health, social supports, and the community they need on their journey of well-being and independence.
Your legacy gift can be allocated as “unrestricted” to support Friends of Ruby’s highest priorities or directed toward a specific area within our programming (like Mental Health, Youth Services, or the Friends of Ruby Home). It is helpful to communicate with Friends of Ruby to ensure we can uphold your wishes and the intent of your gift – including whether you wish to be recognized or remain anonymous.
A bequest in your will is a generous gift of love and support to your community. You can also dedicate your gift in honour or in memory of a loved one.
Here is why you should consider leaving a charitable gift in your will.
If you are like many of our donors, you give generously and contribute to organizations and causes that are aligned with your values. What if you could make an even bigger impact than you thought possible? What if you could make an impact without reducing the money you need today and for your lifetime?
You can make a legacy difference without diminishing what you wish to leave to your loved ones and chosen family by leaving a charitable gift in your will.
For example, consider an estate valued at $750K. If you left a small part of your estate, perhaps 5% to a charity of your choice, your legacy impact would be $37,500. That small percentage translates into a gift that many of us would never be able to make in our lifetime – and most of your estate still goes to those you care about. Imagine what an organization like Friends of Ruby could do to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth thanks to the legacy of your impactful gift.
Remember, a charitable gift designated in your will can reduce the amount of taxes the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) levies on your estate after your passing. This means that more of your actual estate transfers to your loved ones. Please consult with your tax adviser or estate planner for more details, or feel free to reach out to us for more information.
We look forward to celebrating your meaningful gift to Friends of Ruby to make the world a better place for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. For more details, please contact our Development Team at development@friendsofruby.ca.
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are an essential part of our organization who support Friends of Ruby staff and the youth we serve in various capacities.
We are delighted to welcome new volunteers. If you want to make an impact on 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, meet new people, and gain new skills and experiences, we invite you to join our volunteer team.
For more information, look through the current volunteer opportunities to understand the requirements and qualifications necessary for the role and fill out the volunteer application form.
Non-Monetary In-kind Gifts
Support through In-kind Donations
There are various ways you can support us through in-kind donations. Please reach out to us in advance to discuss your donation and schedule a drop-off time. Please note that our ability to accept items may vary depending on our current needs, storage capacity, or COVID-19 protocols.
Individual Donors
If you’re an individual looking to make a donation, please get in touch with the Drop-In team via email at info@friendsofruby.ca or by calling the Drop-In center during our business hours, which are from 11 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday, at 416-359-0237.
Groups and Businesses
If you represent a group or business interested in organizing an in-kind donations drive, please contact Darren Stehle, Development Coordinator, at dstehle@friendsofruby.ca.
Urgent Needs (As of October 2023)
Important Notes
- No Nut Products: Please refrain from donating items containing nuts.
- No Scented Products: While we accept soaps, deodorants, shampoos, and conditioners, we recommend unscented products or those with minimal scents due to environmental sensitivities among the youth we serve. Scents should not be detectable outside the packaging.
- Donation Pickup: We do not offer donation pickup services. Please deliver donations to our office location in person or consider shipping or courier options.
- Unacceptable Items: We cannot accept used undergarments, used books, VHS/DVD movies, or items in need of repair.
Currently, we have an urgent need for the following items:
- Rain Gear (such as umbrellas and coats)
- Mini first aid kits
- Water Bottles
- Thermoses
- Large Backpacks
- Jackets (for both Winter and Fall)
- Mittens
- Hats
- Scarves
- Sweaters and Hoodies
Gift In-Kind Donations: Non-Perishable Food Items
Inflation has affected us all, but 2SLGBTQIA+ youth facing housing insecurity are especially vulnerable to food insecurity.
Your donations of non-perishable food items can make a direct and significant impact. We accept simple “brown bag” meals and snacks. For a list of care kits and individual items needed, please refer to the Friends of Ruby Care Kits, Clothing & Supplies PDF.
Gift In-Kind Donations: Clothing, Personal Hygiene, and Supplies
Throughout the year, the 2SLGBTQIA+ youth we serve may require specific clothing items. To see the current list of needed in-kind clothing donations, please refer to the Friends of Ruby Care Kits, Clothing & Supplies PDF.
We kindly request new clothing donations only, or gift cards with a reasonable value to purchase quality items. Due to Ontario health and safety regulations, bed and bath linens must be new, unopened, and properly labeled. If you have used clothing to donate, it should be gently used or hardly worn and freshly laundered or dry cleaned.
Drop-off Location
You can drop off your donations at:
489 Queen Street East (Lower Level – LL01) Toronto, ON M5A 1V1 (Intersection: Queen & Sumach)
