Types of Legacy Giving
The information here is general in nature. Before committing a legacy gift to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, please contact your lawyer and/or financial advisor to achieve maximum benefit for your generosity and to make sure that the suggested language below is right for your situation. Most importantly, please discuss your intentions with your family.
A gift by will (bequest)
Leaving a donation in your will is a great way to add meaning to your life and ensure your memory lives on into the future. You can provide for your family in your will, while also leaving a gift that can make a vital difference in the lives that follow.
When you provide a gift in your will, you can commit either a set amount or a percentage of your estate.
The gift you make in your will can fund a specific program area or support our highest priority needs at the time your gift comes to fruition. This can include acquiring, protecting, and restoring natural areas; connecting future generations with nature and educating them about the importance of conservation; or maintaining and improving the trails that provide public access to our area’s most spectacular natural spaces, all tasks that are not funded by government funds.
Here are examples of language you could use in your will:
For an undesignated bequest:
“I give the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, located at 838 Mineral Springs Road, Hamilton, Ontario, with the charitable registration number 85997 5617 RR0001, the sum of $_____ (or ___% of my estate) to be used as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.”
For a bequest in support of a specific program:
“I give the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, located at 838 Mineral Springs Road, Hamilton, Ontario, with the charitable registration number 85997 5617 RR0001, the sum of $ ____ (or ___% of my estate) to be used in support of (specific program.)
Specific programs could include outdoor environmental education, tree planting, recreation (Conservation Areas, trails or natural areas you may have enjoyed) and/or habitat restoration. Please note that support for a program is preferred over a specific project, as the project may have altered or ended by the time your gift is realized.
Gift of securities
By donating securities directly to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, rather than cashing them and donating the proceeds, you eliminate the capital gains tax; you receive a charitable tax receipt for the full closing value of the securities; and you can make the donation easily – the transfer can be done electronically by your broker from your account to the Hamilton Conservation Foundation’s account.
Click here to download our Securities Donation Form
Life insurance
A gift of life insurance is made when you name a charitable organization as the beneficiary on a life insurance policy. This means that you control the policy, and the organization receives the insurance proceeds upon death.
There are a number of life insurance options available and each will have different types of tax benefits. We encourage you to talk to a professional advisor (ie. your lawyer, financial advisor, accountant, etc.) who can help you decide which option(s) will work best for you and your family.
Endowed Funds/Gifts of Real Estate
Please speak with us before planning an endowed fund for Hamilton Conservation Foundation, to make sure your gift can be used as you intend. For potential donations of land, please contact Foundation staff, or Scott Peck, HCA Deputy CAO, scott.peck@conservationhamilton.ca, 905-525-2181 ext. 130.