WILL AND ESTATE GIFTS
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BUILDING YOUR LEGACY
Leaving a gift to charity in your will is called a bequest. Establishing a bequest fund with Toronto Foundation gives you more flexibility to adapt your giving strategy over time. And it’s simpler than you think:
- Set up your bequest fund in as little as one conversation with us from the comfort of your own home
- Name multiple charities as beneficiaries through a central fund
- Update your bequest as often as needed to evolve with your changing goals and wishes.
There’s never a perfect time to create or update a will. But tackling it sooner means you can better plan for the future you want to shape—one that reflects your values. NEW: If you don’t yet have a will and would like to create one online, visit Epilogue and receive 20% off your online will.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US
Easy to set up: There's no need to have all the answers before you begin. Let us guide you through the steps and help you reflect on what's most important to you. We can help you distill your values and goals, and set up your bequest fund in as little as one phone or email conversation—all from the comfort of your home.
Centralize your giving: Communities foundations offer a great solution to those who want to name multiple charities in their will. We can help you streamline your giving to all the organizations and causes you care about in one bequest.
Flexibility: You can shape your future gift over time. As your philanthropic interests or ambitions evolve, you can easily update your wishes with Toronto Foundation as often as you want, without the effort and expense of revising your will.
Personalized service: We have the insights, community connections and knowledge of charities to help you make decisions that further your goals. You will also gain access to our annual calendar of learning events to inform and inspire your philanthropy. We’re happy to talk about what will work for you now and in the future.
Ease for your executor: With your bequest fund already set up, you and your executor can take comfort in knowing that it is a simple transfer of your gift to Toronto Foundation.
Honouring your wishes: If you have yet to name a successor for your fund, Toronto Foundation can fill that role. Whether you have named specific charities, created guidelines for us to follow, or left the decision to our team of experts, you can be assured that your legacy will be directed to impactful community projects and charities that align with your philanthropic goals.
INVESTING WISELY
We work with top-notch investment experts to help your fund grow, so that the reach of your legacy will expand over time. Rock Creek is Toronto Foundation’s outsourced chief investment officer. Responsible for the Foundation’s main pool investments, Rock Creek brings a wealth of experience as a leading global investment management firm with a solid track record in responsible and sustainable investing.
WHEN COLLECTIVE GIVING GOES UP
We’re excited to be part of the national Will Power movement to show the power we all have to create positive change through a charitable gift in our wills. Spearheaded by the CAGP Foundation and the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, and in collaboration with many of Canada’s leading charities and advisors, the goal is to raise the level of charitable giving through wills to 8.5% of all Canadians by 2030. That number is only 5% right now. A 3% increase would translate to $40B dollars going to causes Canadians care about. Learn More
Bequest Fund Options
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