Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions donors and partners actually ask.
Is Landmark Relief International a registered charity?
We are incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in Ontario, Canada.
Will I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Landmark Relief International is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in Ontario, Canada.
Where does my donation go?
Donations fund programs in our three areas of work, delivered through vetted local partner organizations under written agreements that define activities, budgets, and verification. We retain direction and control over how funds are used at every step, and we will publish annual financial statements on our Accountability page.
Why do you work through local partners instead of your own staff?
Because it works better and lasts longer. Local organizations know their communities, operate at lower cost, gain access where outsiders cannot, and remain after international attention moves on. Our role is to fund them fairly, hold the work to recognized standards, verify results, and strengthen their capacity rather than replace it.
How do you choose your partners?
Through a documented due-diligence process applied equally to every candidate: legal registration, governance, financial management systems, safeguarding policies and practice, references, and screening against applicable sanctions lists. Only organizations that pass receive funding, and every agreement includes reporting, verification, and audit rights.
How do you make sure aid reaches the people who need it most?
Assistance is targeted by assessed need alone, without discrimination, in line with our value of impartiality. Where available, we align food-security targeting with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). We verify delivery through partner reporting, spot checks, and independent review, and anyone affected by our work can raise a complaint through our accountability channel and receive a response.
Do you serve people of a particular religion, ethnicity, or nationality?
No. We assist on the basis of need alone, and we serve people of every religion, ethnicity, nationality, and community — in Canada and internationally. Impartiality is one of our six governing values and a requirement of the humanitarian standards we follow. Whether we are supporting a food-insecure family here in Canada or a family displaced by conflict overseas, the only question we ask is whether there is need — never what someone believes or where they come from.
Which countries do you work in?
Our active countries and programs are listed on the Where We Work page, which we update as partner agreements are signed. As a new organization we would rather show you a short, verifiable list than a long, impressive one.
Can I donate goods instead of money?
Only when a partner has specifically requested those goods. Unrequested goods cost money to ship, store, and distribute, and often do not match what people actually need. If you have goods to offer, contact us first and we will tell you honestly whether they can be used.
Does my employer's matching gift count as a separate donation?
Yes. A matching gift comes from your employer, a distinct legal entity, so it is receipted separately from your personal donation. Search for your employer on our Get Involved page to see whether a matching program is available to you.
Can I give through my donor-advised fund?
Yes, in principle — see the Donor-Advised Fund section of our Get Involved page for current instructions, which differ depending on whether your fund is held with a Canadian or a United States sponsor.
Can I donate a vehicle?
Yes. See the Vehicle Donation section of our Get Involved page for how to arrange pick-up and receive a tax receipt for the proceeds of its sale.
How do I raise a concern or complaint?
Through the confidential channel described on our Accountability page, open to the people we serve, our partners' staff, donors, and the public. Safeguarding concerns are handled with priority. We register every complaint, respond, and report annually on the number and nature of complaints received.
How do I know you are legitimate?
Check us. Our corporate registration can be verified through the Ontario Business Registry. Our governing policies, board, and financial statements are published on this site. If anything you find does not match what we claim, tell us.
Does Landmark work inside Canada, or only overseas?
Both. We are a Canadian organization and our work includes supporting families in need here at home, alongside our international programs. Domestically, we partner with local food banks, community organizations, and places of worship to help provide food and essential support to people in our own communities. Internationally, we work through vetted local partners in the countries where we operate. Our active Canadian and international programs are listed on our Where We Work page as partnerships are confirmed.