The release of the Canada Post Community Foundation’s fundraising semi-postal stamp signals the start of the Corporation’s annual fundraising campaign. The stamp collection, designed by Vancouver’s Subplot Design Inc., went on sale yesterday across Canada.

The purchase of this booklet includes a $1 donation which goes directly to the Canada Post Community Foundation. The foundation provides funding to local and national non-profit groups that serve the needs of Canadian children and youth. The annual fundraising stamp augments donations received in local post offices across the country, as well as contributions from internal employee fundraisers during the Canada Post Community Foundation fall campaign.

In 2020 alone, 118 organizations delivering essential programs for children and youth shared over $1.3 million in funding from the Canada Post Community Foundation for Children.

Creative Director and Designer Roy White of Subplot Design Inc. says of the inspiration behind the stamp, “We wanted to create a stamp that was bright and magical, and that alluded to a sense of inspiration that the Community Foundation brings to children and youth all across Canada.”

The concept focuses on the elements of flight, light, magic and wonder. The fireflies trace elegant spirals across the stamp and other elements in the collection, leading the way with their lights. The luminous glow of the fireflies is a reminder of the light that shines within each of us. We all have the power to make the world a little brighter for others – especially children and youth. Special phosphorescent inks were used to highlight the fireflies’ abdomens and can be seen under black light.

The stamp collection was beautifully illustrated by Kim Smith, a New York Times best-selling illustrator of over 30 picture books. Kim has also worked on children’s video games, puzzles, animation, 3D displays, posters, magazines – and now a stamp!

Thanks to the generosity of Canada Post customers since 2013, roughly 900 organizations have shared more than $9.8 million in funding from the Foundation. The grants helped fund literacy and language programs, youth outreach services, gender and sexual diversity programs, arts and recreation projects, special education programs, childhood health programs, anti-bullying initiatives, mentoring programs, and many more.