Create the legacy plan you want, now and into the future

It’s never too soon to consider philanthropy as part of your estate planning strategy. Besides the financial benefits, leaving a charitable legacy in support of causes you care about serves as a true reflection of your values. Vancouver Foundation works with individuals, charities and businesses across British Columbia to create endowed funds—not all of which are permanent. The foundation’s team of experts strategically invests the original capital to continually generate an income, allowing donor gifts to last long into the future or spend down over time.

“We then use that income to support hundreds of charities every year,” says Craig Hikida, Vancouver Foundation’s vice president, donor services. “We offer grants to support projects that address the root causes of important issues and help build healthy, vibrant, equitable and inclusive communities.”

Vancouver Foundation’s Legacy Giving program provides exclusive services and support for people who are interested in or considering philanthropy as part of their will or estate plans. “When you leave a gift to Vancouver Foundation in your will, you are planting a seed—a seed that, with careful tending, will grow into something for future generations to benefit from,” Hikida says. “Donors can leave a legacy to any registered charity in Canada or select and trust our community advisors to allocate grants where they are needed most. This includes causes in the future that might not be apparent at this time.”

For example, donors from the past left legacy gifts that were activated to provide emergency responses to the COVID 19 pandemic and 2021 flooding in the Fraser Valley.

Vancouver Foundation offers several flexible options for giving, and the staff works with donors to determine the best approach.  A nameable Legacy Fund can be set up for $1,000 with a commitment of a minimum of $9,000 in future giving during the donor’s lifetime or through an estate gift.

Another option is to establish a donor advised fund immediately, starting with a $10,000 minimum gift. “Many donors establish a fund and start supporting their favourite charities during their lifetime,” Hikida says.

Some donors may want to support multiple charities or causes, and dealing with multiple beneficiaries can be a daunting task for executors. Consolidating one’s giving at Vancouver Foundation reduces the number of beneficiaries donors and executors need to work with.

“We see the generosity of our donors in action every day—legacy gifts that feed, that house, that educate,” Hikida says. “We see donor gifts that create a vibrant arts sector, gifts that care for our environment, and gifts that support Indigenous communities.”

Start a fund with Vancouver Foundation and become part of a larger community working together to make a difference.

Learn more vancouverfoundation.ca

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