Estate and Gift Planning

Leaving a gift in your will is a meaningful way to support Blind Beginnings. When you make a gift through your will, your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt which can help reduce or eliminate taxes.

There are different ways you can leave a gift  to Blind Beginnings in your will:

  • You can create a Bequest in your Will of:

    • a specific amount of money;

      1. a percentage of your estate;

      2. real estate;

      3. specific property (i.e.: art, vehicles);

      4. securities; or

      5. a bank account

  • You can name Blind Beginnings Society as a beneficiary in any of the following:

    • a Life Insurance policy;

      1. an Annuity;

      2. a Registered account (i.e.: RRSP, TFSA, RIF, LIF);

How to leave a Bequest in your Will

1. General Bequests

This is the most flexible type of bequest and is of greatest benefit to Blind Beginnings, as it gives Blind Beginnings the ability to designate the funds to the area of greatest need. Examples of language in your will for an unrestricted gift could be:

A specific bequest – gives a specific cash amount or item of property:

“I give to Blind Beginnings Society the sum of $[amount here] to be used for purposes as determined by the Board of Directors.”; or

“I give to Blind Beginnings Society [description of property here] to be used for purposes as determined by the Board of Directors.”

A residual bequest – gives all or a portion of whatever remains after payment of debts, taxes, and other bequests:

“I give to Blind Beginnings Society % percent of the residue of my estate to be used for purposes as determined by the Board of Directors.”

A contingent bequest – takes effect only if the primary purposes cannot be achieved. For example, if the primary beneficiary does not survive you.

“If (name of primary beneficiary) does not survive me for 30 days, then I give to Blind Beginnings Society (a cash amount, named property, percentage of the residue) to be used for purposes as determined by the Board of Directors.”

2. Bequest for Specific Purposes

This type of gift is where someone leaves money in their will for a specific purpose.  Examples of this kind of gift are:

  • “I give to Blind Beginnings Society the sum of $ (or named property) to be used for (e.g. Youth Leadership programs).”;

It is beneficial to include language that allows Blind Beginnings to use the gift for a different purpose if circumstances change.

  • “I give to Blind Beginnings Society % percent of the residue of my estate to be used for (e.g. summer camp). In the event the Board of Directors determines that it is impossible, inadvisable, or impractical to apply this bequest for its stated purposes, the bequest may be used for other purposes which conform as much as possible with the spirit and intent of the bequest."

If you wish to designate your gift for a particular purpose or program, please connect with us to ensure that your wishes can be accommodated.

Getting Legal Advice and Drafting Your Will Correctly

The above information can be used for discussion between you and your legal advisor, however, it is not intended to be legal advice.

We recommend that you contact your legal advisor for advice when making a gift in your will. Please reference our Legal Name: Blind Beginnings Society. Our registered number is 81329-0616-RR0001

To learn more about leaving a legacy gift in your will or other types of planned gifts, please contact Lia Dicicco, Director of Finance and Administration at: lia@blindbeginnings.ca or 604-434-7243.