Planned Giving

Consider making a planned gift to WaterCan - a modest commitment today can create a significant contribution over time towards helping people emerge for poverty through access to clean water, basic sanitation, and hygiene education.

Not only is planned giving an opportunity available to nearly everyone, it is also an extremely flexible way to donate. The gift can be outright, providing funds for immediate use, or you can plan it now for receipt in the future. A planned gift can be in the form of life insurance, securities, or a bequest.

*Please note that the information provided here should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. If you are considering a planned gift, we recommend that you seek professional advice from legal, estate, and/or financial planning experts.

Legacy Giving

Legacy giving, also known as a bequest, is a wonderful testament to your commitment to WaterCan's vision of “clean water for all".  Many dedicated donors have remembered WaterCan in their wills.  You may wish to leave WaterCan a specific amount of money or to bequest a certain percentage of the residue of your estate (the residue is what is left over after all debts, legacies and individual gifts are paid).

Benefits of legacy giving include:

• Legacies are often significant gifts, and are more than supporters are able to provide during regular giving to WaterCan
• WaterCan is able to put the gift to immediate use
• Your estate is entitled to a tax receipt for the final income tax return.  Heirs are protected by reducing the tax liability of the estate.

Should you consider leaving a legacy in your will to WaterCan, your estate lawyer and financial advisor will be able to assist you.

Gifts of Publicly-Traded Securities

Publicly-traded securities (i.e. shares, mutual fund units, and bonds) can now be gifted to WaterCan on a tax-efficient basis.  If you own publicly-traded securities outside of your RRSP or RRIF and these securities have increased in value, you may owe capital gains taxes when you choose to sell. 

As a result of a change announced in the 2006 federal budget, you no longer have to pay capital gains tax when you donate these publicly-traded securities to a registered charity.  You must donate the securities in kind for the tax exemption and NOT the proceeds from the sale of the securities.

Benefits of the gift of publicly-traded securities include:

• WaterCan is able to convert the securities to cash and issue you a tax receipt for the full market value
• Neither you nor WaterCan are taxed on the capital gains
• WaterCan is able to put the gift to immediate use

Should you consider gifting publicly-traded securities to WaterCan, your lawyer and financial planner can assist you with this.

Gifts of RRSPs or RRIFs

Many Canadians work with their financial planners to prepare for retirement.  Some choose to leave their RRSPs and RRIFs to WaterCan at the time of death. This can be done by ensuring WaterCan is designated as the beneficiary of the RRSP or RRIF.

Benefits of RRSP/RRIF gifts include:

• WaterCan is able to put this significant gift to use

If you are considering gifting your RRSP or RRIF to WaterCan, your financial advisor and lawyer can assist you with this.

Life Insurance Gifts

You can make a planned gift by naming WaterCan as the owner and/or beneficiary of a life insurance policy.  A gift of life insurance is separate from your estate and has no effect on its assets. The premiums you pay may qualify for a tax credit during your lifetime, or at time of death, subject to how you plan your estate.  If the ownership of the policy is transferred to WaterCan during your lifetime, you may also be able to receive a tax credit for the cash surrender value of the policy.

Benefits of Life Insurance gifts include:

• WaterCan will receive a significant gift, which you may not have been able to make in other circumstances.

If you are considering gifting your life insurance to WaterCan, your financial advisor, life insurance agent and lawyer can assist you with this.

Should you have any questions about planned giving, please feel free to contact WaterCan by telephone, (613) 230-5182 or 1-800-370-5658 (toll-free), or by e-mail at info@watercan.com.

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