Plan Your Legacy
Leave an impact that will last for years
A planned gift is a simple and thoughtful way to leave a personal legacy, representing your life and values.
Whether it is a bequest in your will, a gift of retirement funds or a gift of life insurance, a legacy gift to Wellspring allows you to make a difference in the lives of people diagnosed with cancer for generations to come.
Already left a gift to Wellspring?
Let us know and join the Wellspring Legacy Society, established to acknowledge, celebrate and honour generous and forward-thinking individuals who have made a future commitment to Wellspring.
Contact Ana Santos at 416-480-4440 x227 or ana.santos@wellspring.ca for more information.
“Wellspring provided me with so much support, comfort and understanding, that I think it’s important to give back. I want Wellspring to continue to help those going through cancer, long after I’m gone.”
Ayesha, Wellspring member and Legacy donor
Bequests
Benefits:
Your lasting legacy
A bequest is your lasting legacy, letting others know what was important to you. Donors are also invited to receive recognition today for your future commitment to Wellspring.
Changeable
A bequest is revocable and can be changed if your financial situation changes.
Reduce estate taxes
Your estate will be entitled to a donation receipt for the full value of the bequest, which may dramatically reduce taxes payable by your estate.
Claim donations towards income taxes
Your estate can claim donations for income tax purposes of up to 100% of the net income in the year of death, and any excess amount can be carried back one year.
No capital gains
If the bequest is funded with publicly-listed securities, there will be no capital gains tax payable on the securities donated, under current legislation.
How do I make a bequest?
Making a bequest is simple. If you have already prepared your will, you can update it with a codicil, which is a supplementary document added to the existing will, describing your gift intentions.
If you have not yet prepared a will, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. This is an important first step to ensure your intentions for your estate are documented and your family and loved ones are taken care of, properly.
You may make a specific bequest to Wellspring to identify a defined gift amount, or you may make a residual bequest, which means that you designate all or a percentage of the remaining portion of the estate, after debts, taxes, and administrative expenses have been paid.
It is important that you consult with a lawyer when drafting your will, as well as updating it when your circumstances change.
If you plan to include a bequest in your will for Wellspring, please include:
Our legal name: Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation
Our charitable registration number: 89272 8940 RR0001
Retirement Funds
Benefits
Tax-Effective
RRSPs/RRIFs are among the most highly-taxed assets in your Estate. If the beneficiary of your retirement funds is someone other than your spouse or dependent child, the proceeds of the RRSP/RRIF will be taxed as ordinary income in your estate. However, if you name Wellspring as the beneficiary, the total amount of the RRSP/RRIF will be given directly to Wellspring and your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt for the total gifted amount.
Changeable
RRSPs/RRIFs gifts are revocable and can be changed if your financial circumstances change.
Full use
You have full and complete use of your retirement savings while you are alive.
How do I establish a gift of retirement funds?
You may name Wellspring as a direct beneficiary of your Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) or your Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF).
If you have already named a beneficiary of your RRSP/RRIF but would like to include or change the beneficiary to Wellspring, simply call your financial advisor or financial institution and ask to change the beneficiary designation.
Please use the following information:
Our legal name: Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation
Our charitable registration number: 89272 8940 RR0001
Life Insurance
Benefits:
Larger gift at low cost
Donating by life insurance policy allows you to make a larger gift than you may have thought you could afford, at a relatively low cost. You can make a substantial and meaningful future contribution with modest tax deductible premium payments.
Doesn’t change your estate
A gift of life insurance does not reduce the value of your estate for your loved ones.
Claim donations towards income taxes
A gift of life insurance allows you to structure your tax credits to suit your financial situation – you can receive an annual tax credit or your estate can receive a tax credit in the year of death.
How do I establish a gift of life insurance?
You can make Wellspring the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy, or a new one. For the cost of a monthly premium (a tax deductible expense), you can leave a major bequest.
- You can donate an existing policy and receive a tax receipt for the cash surrender value and any subsequent premiums paid, simply by designating Wellspring as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary.
- You can donate a new policy to Wellspring. You will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of premiums paid after the date of transfer, again by designating Wellspring as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary.
- You can name Wellspring as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy from your employer. A donations tax deduction for the estate will be available when the death benefit proceeds from the policy are paid directly to Wellspring.