Leave a legacy

A will is the easiest and most effective means to ensure that you fully provide for your family and that your assets are distributed as you wish. Gifts by will, or bequests, have become an increasingly important source of revenue for the Society, enabling us to continue to lead the fight against cancer. 

How does it work?

• leave a specific dollar amount or a specific piece of personal property 
• leave a share or percentage of your estate 
• provide for the needs of your loved ones (either through an outright gift or subject to a trust) and give the rest (or residue) of your estate to the Canadian Cancer Society 

Ask us for your free copy of our booklet Your Personal Will Planning Guide by sending an e-mail to info@pei.cancer.ca. This guide will help you to prepare and plan your wishes before you meet with your lawyer.

A charitable gift annuity is a “gift that gives something back”. It's a way of making a gift to help in the fight against cancer, and in return get back a guaranteed income for life that can be largely or entirely tax-free. Charitable gift annuities can be especially appealing to people aged 70 or over and who are more concerned about financial security than income growth.

How does it work? 
You donate a sum of money to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Society receives a portion of the sum immediately (usually between 25% and 35%) to help fund our research and community services programs. The balance is used to purchase an annuity (single or joint) from one of the highest rated insurance companies. From this annuity, you (and/or another named individual) receive regular, equal payments for life – guaranteed. A gift annuity is a simple contract between you and the Canadian Cancer Society in which you exchange cash or securities for a fixed income for life – for any person you choose.

A gift of life insurance allows you to make a larger donation to the Canadian Cancer Society than you would have thought you could afford, at relatively little cost. A gift of life insurance is a deferred gift, which means that the proceeds from a gift commitment made now will be realized by the Canadian Cancer Society sometime in the future.

How does it work? 

• You can purchase a new policy, naming the Canadian Cancer Society as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary. You then pay the premiums and receive an income tax receipt yearly for the full amount of all premiums paid. 
• You can donate an existing policy that you no longer need, by designating the Canadian Cancer Society as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary. The Society will give you a tax receipt for the net cash surrender value (less any outstanding policy loans) and any subsequent premiums paid. 
• You may have a life insurance policy from your employer or former employer that you want to donate to the Society. Since you will not be able to change the ownership, you would make the Canadian Cancer Society the beneficiary of the policy.

If you own publicly traded securities or mutual funds that have increased in value, you may want to consider donating the securities directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. Such a gift can minimize the capital gains taxes you have to pay on those securities. Put your stock into finding a cure for cancer and enjoy the satisfaction of supporting a worthwhile cause, while maximizing your tax benefits. 

How does it work? 
When making a gift of securities, decide which securities or mutual fund holdings you wish to donate. Then instruct your broker to transfer the shares electronically or endorse the share certificates and forward them to the Canadian Cancer Society. You'll receive a tax receipt for the closing price of the securities on the date they are received in the Canadian Cancer Society brokerage account. By contacting us in advance, and we will provide all the necessary information to your broker to facilitate a smooth and prompt transfer. 

A trust is a legal agreement that specifies how assets placed under the trust will be managed by an assigned trustee. A charitable remainder trust is an effective way to provide you with an income for life and know that after your lifetime, the property remaining in the trust will be used by the Canadian Cancer Society. This is a deferred gift, which means that the proceeds from a gift commitment made now will be realized by the Canadian Cancer Society sometime in the future. 

Entering into a charitable remainder trust agreement with the Canadian Cancer Society simply means that you leave a capital donation to the Society while you are still alive. The trustee pays regular income to you and/or other beneficiaries you name from the trust for life or for a term of years. When the trust terminates, the trustee pays out the remaining trust assets to the Canadian Cancer Society. 

An endowment is a contribution where the original capital donation is preserved in perpetuity. Only the income generated from the endowment fund is used for the purposes outlined in an endowment agreement.

There is a minimum gift amount required to establish an endowment fund. Endowment gifts may be funded using cash, securities, paid-up insurance policies, or other types of assets. These funds can be created during your lifetime, or can be arranged through instructions in your will. 

How does it work?
A donor or group of donors make a large donation to the Society, which is then invested in perpetuity. The income generated by the capital is used by the Society, while the capital remains protected and continues to generate additional income over the years. 

Should you decide to arrange for a gift to the Canadian Cancer Society in your will, please let us know. We would like to be able to express our appreciation to you personally for your commitment and support. Your gift intention will be held in strictest confidence.