Legacy Gifts

Legacy gift planning is a way to thoughtfully bequeath a portion of your estate to a charity of your choice. By deciding now and including the Salt Spring Conservancy in your will, you can have a significant positive impact on our future. Your will is a legally binding document and, as with any legal work, we recommend that you seek independent legal counsel before creating a will or making any changes to an existing will. We also recommend that you seek advise from a financial planner or accountant to discuss any implication that may arise from your decisions.

Review Planned Charitable Giving information here.

 

There are many different ways to make a bequest to a charity. Here are our top 5 recommendations:

Bequests

Any gift can be left in a will, including money, securities, real estate or personal property. You can specify a dollar amount, a proportion of an estate, or the residue of the assets left after your heirs have been provided for and expenses paid. Donation receipts are issued by the Conservancy to the estate for the value of the gift. This type of donation can substantially reduce taxes paid by your estate.

Gifts of Land

It is possible for you to make a gift of real property, such as land or a house, to the Conservancy. The Conservancy may then sell the property, making the proceeds of the sale available to the Conservancy. The donor will receive a charitable gift tax receipt for the fair market value of the donated property, as determined by a qualified appraiser. Although capital gains tax may be payable on the gift, the tax credit arising from the gift will usually exceed the tax on the capital gain and can thus be used to offset other taxes that are or become owing by you or your estate. A gift of this nature can be done during your lifetime or as part of your estate planning. The Conservancy may be able to retain and protect your land as a nature reserve, rather than sell it: if this is of interest to you, please discuss your potential bequest and intention with us when you are planning your estate.

Gifts of RRSPs or RRIF’s:

You can name the SSI Conservancy as the beneficiary of your RRSP or RRIF. Since RRSP’s are one of the most heavily taxed estate assets, this can substantially reduce your estate’s taxes and help protect nature. This type of designation cannot be contested by the estate. The donor’s estate will receive a tax receipt to be applied against tax on the distribution of retirement funds.

Gifts of Life Insurance:

Naming the Conservancy as the registered beneficiary of an existing policy is an excellent way to donate.  Upon death, the insurance company will pay the death proceeds directly to the charity. The Conservancy will issue a tax receipt to the donor’s estate for the policy proceeds.

Gifts of Publicly Traded (Listed) Securities
(including Mutual Funds):

By donating stocks or mutual funds, either during or after your lifetime, you can easily contribute to the Conservancy. You or your estate will receive a tax receipt for full fair market value of the donated securities and are taxed on none of the capital gain.

We encourage you to consult with your legal and financial advisors to discuss what is best for you. We cannot act as your advisor or offer professional advice, but we would be pleased to work with your independent advisors to help you in making your decision.

If you have chosen to include the Salt Spring Island Conservancy in your will, please let us know. We wish to honour your donation with a thank-you, and keep you informed of the work that we are doing.

Please contact us if you have other suggestions or ideas about a donation.

What you need to know:

  • Legal Name: Salt Spring Island Conservancy
    Registered Charity #: 89006-3977-RR0001
    BC Society #: S-32945
  • Our Address is: 265 Blackburn Road, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2B8
  • Our suggested wording for a gift of land: “To give the Salt Spring Island Conservancy my property at (insert specific street address), legally described as (insert legal description of the property)”
  • Our suggested wording for a specific gift: “To pay Salt Spring Island Conservancy the sum of $___ for such use and purpose as the Board of Directors may determine in their absolute discretion.”
  • Our suggested wording for a residual gift: “To pay the Salt Spring Island Conservancy the residue (or share of the residue) of my estate for such use and purpose as the Board of Directors may determine in their absolute discretion.”

Your donations at work!

Below you can explore which aspect of our work you would like to support.

Tax Receipts

We provide a charitable tax receipt for donations of $20 or more. For online donations, receipts will be sent by email within a few weeks.

Legal Name:
Salt Spring Island Conservancy
Registered Charity #:
89006-3977-RR0001
BC Society #: S-32945

“After my husband’s death, I decided to name the Salt Spring Conservancy as a beneficiary of my retirement savings. It’s very easy. You just need to check with your lawyer about the best approach. I’m happy to remember my husband this way, as well as thank an old friend who works tirelessly for the Conservancy. Charles and I have always treasured wetlands; we’ve worked for conservation all our adult lives, and we’ve been impressed with the Conservancy’s achievements. I hope you’ll join me in supporting their important, effective work!”