What do you need to know about leaving a gift in your will?
Your Will is more than just a legal document. It’s one of the most thoughtful steps you can take for your loved ones. By creating or updating your Will, you’re protecting those closest to you and giving yourself peace of mind, knowing your legacy is secure.
Including a gift in your Will allows you to extend your support beyond your lifetime and continue making a difference.
Here are five key considerations when deciding whether to leave a gift in your Will:
Yanira and her children from Dominican Republic.
1. Legacy gifts come in all sizes and forms
Legacy gifts can be more than just cash; they can include personal items or land. Regardless of the size, they significantly impact our mission to ensure no one is left without shelter after disaster. The common types of legacy gifts are:
Pecuniary Gift: A fixed amount of money.
Specific Gift: An item such as personal possessions, land, or shares.
Residuary Gift: A percentage or share of the remaining estate after all other payments and gifts.
Many people prefer residuary gifts because they align with inflation and do not lose value over time.
A child sat on aid mattresses during ShelterBox aid distributions.
2. Make a lasting impact on a cause you care about
If you’ve supported a charity for many years, leaving a legacy can ensure your support continues to make a positive impact. It’s comforting to know that you’ll be helping communities and families for future generations.
In the next 25 years, about 1.2 billion people will be at risk of losing their homes to disaster. By leaving a gift in your Will to ShelterBox, you’ll help to ensure no one is left without shelter after a disaster for years to come.
Tent distributions in Gaza, 2024.
3. A gift to charity could have tax benefits
A gift in your Will provides valuable tax credits on your final estate tax return. Once the gift is received, your Estate will receive a charitable tax receipt from ShelterBox Canada that can decrease (or even eliminate) estate taxes.
Two girls in a shelter in Ethiopia.
4. Other ways to leave a legacy
Gifts of Life Insurance, Beneficial interest in RRSPs, RRIFs, Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) and Securities, can all help support ShelterBox Canada. We’d be happy to talk with you if you want more information about these options.
Andrew received ShelterBox aid in Malawi, 2024.
5. To remember a loved one
Leaving a gift in your Will can also be a way to honour and remember a loved one. It’s a beautiful tribute that keeps their memory alive while supporting causes close to your heart.
“It makes me feel good to know that by leaving a gift to ShelterBox in my Will, I’m supporting families who have just suffered the most awful disaster that will allow them to get back up on their feet and get going again.” – Chris Prowse, ShelterBox legacy donor.
You can find out more about leaving a gift to ShelterBox in your Will here: Leave a Gift in Your Will – ShelterBox.
Hawa and her family in Chad, 2024.
Leaving a gift in your will
If you are considering leaving a gift in your Will to ShelterBox Canada, thank you.
Any gift, large or small, will help us reach more families, allowing them to rebuild and recover after disaster.
The gifts in wills page on our website contains a great amount of information for anyone considering leaving a gift to ShelterBox in their will.
Whether you’ve decided to leave a gift in your will or would like more information on leaving a gift to ShelterBox, please call our Gift in Wills experts at 647-352-1930, toll free at 1-855-875-4661, or email us at [email protected]
Learn more
