A charitable gift in your will is a meaningful way to support the Canadian Council of the Blind. A charitable legacy gift, also called a charitable bequest, is a direction in your Will that instructs your Executor(s)/Trustee(s) to leave one or more of your assets to a charitable organization(s). Leaving a gift in your will is easy and can help ensure your loved ones are cared for, your estate is protected, and the gift you wish to make to the Canadian Council of the Blind can be fulfilled.
Benefits to you
- Convenient – A legacy gift in your will can be made no matter how old you are and can be for any amount you want.
- Simple – A legacy gift in your will is easy to arrange. Simply instruct your lawyer to include a bequest to the Canadian Council of the Blind in your will.
- Tax relief – A legacy gift in your will is a highly effective way to reduce taxes in your estate.
- Tax planning – The Canadian Council of the Blind issues a charitable tax receipt for the full value of your bequest. This receipt will be used to reduce the tax payable on your final tax return. If your bequest exceeds 100% of your net income, the excess may be carried back to the previous tax year or forward as part of a Graduated Rate Estate plan.
- Flexible – Your bequest can be for a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate – a gift made after your debts have been paid and other bequests made.
- Peace of mind – You can make changes to your will at any time.
- Recognition – Become a member of the 1944 Legacy Society and receive recognition on our digital donor wall and an exclusive pin.
The easiest way to have the greatest impact in meeting the Canadian Council of the Blind’s needs in the future is to make an unrestricted gift. However, if you wish to designate your gift for a specific use, we are happy to discuss that option with you. Please see our sample bequest language below.
Sample bequest clauses
These are sample clauses only. Your lawyer or estate planner should review any wording.
Specific, unrestricted:
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Canadian Council of the Blind at 200–14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9, the sum of $_______________ to be used for any purpose(s) approved by the Board of Directors.
Specific, restricted with right to vary clause:
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Canadian Council of the Blind at 200–14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9, the sum of $____________ to be used for the following purpose(s): _____________________________________. If the Canadian Council of the Blind is unable to apply all or part of these funds for the specific purpose(s) stated herein, the balance of this bequest not so extended may be used for any purpose approved by the Board of Directors.
General %, unrestricted:
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Canadian Council of the Blind at 200–14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9, ____% of the residue of my estate to be used for any purpose(s) approved by the Board of Directors.
General %, restricted with right to vary clause:
I give, devise and bequeath to the Canadian Council of the Blind at 200–14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9, ____% of my estate to be used for the following purpose(s): ___________________________. If the Canadian Council of the Blind is unable to apply all or part of these funds for the specific purpose(s) stated herein, the balance of this bequest not so extended may be used for any purpose(s) approved by the Board of Directors.
Residual contingent trust:
Upon the death of the survivor of my (wife, husband, etc.) ________________________ and my (son, daughter, etc.) _________________________, I direct my trustee to transfer and deliver the balance of the residue of my estate, including any undistributed income, to the Canadian Council of the Blind at 200–14 Chamberlain Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9, to be used for any purpose(s) approved by the Board of Directors.
Please seek expert advice. The Canadian Council of the Blind strongly recommends that you seek professional financial, insurance, and/or legal advice to ensure your financial goals are considered, your tax situation is reviewed, and your legacy gift is tailored to your circumstances. A financial or legal advisor should review in detail what plan best fits your needs. Before considering a legacy gift, you should have already satisfied the needs of your family.
For further information, please contact Braydin Frizell at [email protected].
