Planned Gifts

Plan a Gift

Individuals like you are our main source of funding for research and services to families.

You can plan your charitable gift to provide the greatest benefit to you, your family and the Alzheimer Society. You may choose to make your gift during your lifetime or through your estate. You can also join together with a group of family and friends to create a named fund to honour or memorialize a loved one.

View or download our Leaving a Legacy brochure.

Bequests

Just as you’ve supported the Alzheimer Society throughout your lifetime, you can include a provision for us in your Will. Your gift will continue your support of our mission to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and support those living with this devastating disease.

Learn more about planning for your future here.

Charitable Annuities

A charitable gift annuity can benefit both you and the Alzheimer Society. Depending on your age, a charitable annuity allows you to save tax, enjoy a guaranteed income for life and give a gift today. This type of gift might be appealing if you:

• Are over the age of 65,
• Have accumulated wealth and do not need this portion of your capital to leave for your surviving spouse or heirs,
• Are concerned about the amount of tax you pay on your interest-bearing investments,
• Wish to increase your after-tax disposable income,
• Like the security of fixed, guaranteed income and
• Would like worry-free management of your investments.

How does a charitable gift annuity work?

A charitable gift annuity is a contractual arrangement with a commercial annuity provider. It will provide you with a tax-preferred annual income guaranteed for life or a specific number of years. Charitable gift annuities are structured in the same way as regular commercial annuities, but they offer distinct advantages due to a charity’s tax-free status.

Charitable Trusts

Charitable remainder trust

A charitable remainder trust is a way of giving assets to the Alzheimer Society through a trust agreement. A charitable remainder trust can be established by contributing bonds, stock securities, mutual funds or real estate to a trustee who holds and manages it. You may choose a charitable remainder trust because you have an asset that you would eventually like to give to us, but you need the income it now provides or you do not wish to part with your asset right now.

Gifts of residual interest

Gifts of residual interest refer to an arrangement under which property, such as a home or farm, is irrevocably deeded to the Alzheimer Society. Once the asset has been irrevocably transferred to the Alzheimer Society, you are entitled to a tax receipt for the present value of the residual interest. This tax receipt is based on a Canada Revenue Agency formula. You then retain the use of the property for your lifetime or a predetermined period. The Alzheimer Society is free to make use of the property or sell it after the specified time period or after you pass away.

This type of gift may appeal to you if you:

• Are over age 65,
• Wish to give us a gift through a Will bequest, but would like the tax advantages now and
• Do not want to change your standard of living but would like to make a substantial gift now.

Life Insurance

Many Canadians own some type of life insurance as it allows for the accumulation of tax-sheltered funds and provides heirs with quick access to financial resources. A gift of life insurance may be appealing if you are under 50 and in good health, would like to make a large gift for a relatively small financial outlay, and your family no longer requires the insurance proceeds.

How does a gift of life insurance work?

• You can transfer the ownership and beneficiary designation of an existing permanent policy that has finished serving its original purpose. This designation is irrevocable and cannot be changed.

A charitable tax receipt will be issued for the worth of the policy at the time of transfer. Any continued premium payments also qualify for a charitable tax receipt. Please note that there are tax advantages to retaining existing policies. The Alzheimer Society strongly recommends that you discuss this matter with your insurance specialist before any transfer takes place.

• You can purchase a new life insurance policy. After one premium payment, you name the Alzheimer Society as the owner and beneficiary. You continue to pay the premiums and receive a charitable tax receipt for those payments. Again, this designation is irrevocable and cannot be changed.
• You can name the Alzheimer Society as the beneficiary of your individual or group life insurance. You retain ownership of the policy. You can change the beneficiary designation at any time. You will not receive a charitable tax receipt for any premiums paid during your lifetime. Your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt for the value of the policy proceeds paid to the Alzheimer Society. If you are a salaried employee and have a benefit plan that has a death benefit component, consider naming the Alzheimer Society as the beneficiary; it is an easy way to make a planned gift.

Named Funds

A named or endowed fund is a long-term fund. Investment income from the fund can be used for a purpose that the donor usually designates. Each year, the Alzheimer Society can use the income from the endowments to support a variety of research and program needs.

Building an endowment is essential because it will ensure that the Alzheimer Society has a stable source of funding to provide the leadership necessary for Alzheimer's disease research and care in Canada.

Endowment funds can be established in honour, or memory of a donor, family member or loved one, and often represent a lasting tribute and a personal story or accomplishment.

Registered Plans

Many Canadians have savings in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP), but RRSPs and RRIFs (Registered Retirement Income Fund) often create large tax liabilities in the year of death since the entire amount of the plan is included in your income in one year. Arranging for a donation of all or a percentage of your RRSP or RRIF to the Alzheimer Society upon your death is an effective way to reduce the taxes payable by your estate.

If you’d like more information about how to take full advantage of gifts of registered plans (RRSPs and RRIFs), contact your insurance agent, accountant or financial advisor.

Securities and Mutual Funds

The Federal government eliminated the capital gains tax on gifts of publicly traded securities and mutual funds. If you own stocks or mutual funds that have grown in value, you will face a tax bill when you sell them. By donating them directly to the Alzheimer Society, you can eliminate your tax bill and make a significant gift at the same time. This giving option is attractive if your investments have grown in value and you wish to donate savings rather than cash flow.

Donate securities here. 

Information on this page is not intended as specific financial planning or legal advice. You should always consult your legal advisors, financial planners and family members when considering a planned gift.