As a caring and giving Financial Planning Team, we feel it is important to stress the importance of considering Charitable contributions as part of your overall financial plan. We definitely believe in such. Over the years, our firm has been instrumental in raising tens of thousands of dollars for specific programs such as the Brighton Health Services Centre, the Splash Pad or even the Board Walk. Plus, we support basically every charity that approaches us, in one form or another.
Practically every charity in Canada can tell you how to raise money through special events, direct mail solicitations, or lotteries. However, if you ask them to tell you how to gift your home, cottage, or stock to their charity, you will most likely be met with stony silence. Why? Very few charities can afford to employ people with the financial knowledge to “walk the donor” through such a non-cash gift. The problem is compounded because, without the financial expertise, the charity cannot adequately illustrate how planned gifts work. Thus, they are not able to get the message to their most loyal donors – which is their best hope for finding a planned gift donor.
In recent years, donors have become more and more demanding of the charities receiving their gifts. A typical example would be a donor placing a direction on the use of the gift. For example: I want to establish an endowment fund and the income from which is to be used to fight multiple sclerosis. If fighting multiple sclerosis is consistent with the charity’s activities, then there is normally no problem.
It is part of our practice to ensure your charitable and legacy planning goals are achieved. Please give us a call if we can be of more assistance.