Leave a Gift in Your Will
We are lucky. WUSC supporters are thoughtful people, who share a concern for global development and are committed to building a better future for youth.
Often people think about contributing to the causes they are passionate about with monthly donations or volunteering time, but there is a growing number of people who are going one step further to leave a gift to charity in their wills. These are ordinary Canadians who’ve realized they can make a powerful contribution that will last for future generations, without taking away from the resources they or their families need.
This new way of approaching wills among Canadians of all ages has been triggered, to some extent, by the intensity of recent global events and the realization that it’s possible to do more just by giving in a different way.
In fact, if more Canadians left even a tiny percentage of their estate to charity, the sum of all their contributions could represent as much as $40 billion to support organizations such as ours to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.
When you look into it, you may be surprised to learn that a donation of as little as a 1% of your estate can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible. You are still leaving 99% of your estate to support your loved ones, and you’re not using any of the money you need now.
The good news is that leaving a gift in your will can be a very simple process. Here are a few suggestions that can help you take the next steps:
Calculate your donation
You can assess how much you want to leave to charity, and how much you want your loved ones to receive, with a simple calculation. You can make that calculation using the Legacy Calculator tool developed by Will Power, a national public education campaign designed to inspire Canadians to think differently about charitable giving.
Discover the tax benefits
Did you know the Canadian government has created some of the best tax incentives in the world to encourage more giving to charity, especially from your estate? Just to cite an example, this article tells how a couple’s financial advisor helped them give big to charity and take advantage of the tax benefits, all while leaving a sizeable inheritance for their daughters.
Ask a financial advisor
Consulting a financial expert can help you maximize your donation and ensure it works to your advantage. You can use Will Power’s Financial Advisor Finder to match with an expert in your region. There is also a handy guide available to start the conversation with your advisor here.
Find out how to keep your passion for a better world going
Learn how a gift in your will to our organization would be used to advance the WUSC program of your choice here. Or you can contact us at [email protected] to find out more.
Who would have thought of a will as a powerful tool to make change in the world? But more and more Canadians are harnessing the power of their wills to become larger-than-life philanthropists who continue to inspire others and make an impact on generations to come. Join the movement and keep your passion going for what matters to you!
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Trusted to Create Impact
WUSC has worked for more than 70 years to help Canadians respond to urgent global issues and make a positive impact. We are a trusted partner of the Canadian government and over 90 postsecondary institutions who we partner with to carry out our programs.
When you donate to WUSC, we will use your gift wisely. In recognition of our responsible use of resources, transparency, and impact, WUSC has been named in both the 2020 MoneySense Charity 100 and MacLean magazine’s list of Canada’s best charities in 2020.