We are lucky. The Saskatoon Council on Aging supporters are thoughtful individuals, who share a concern for well-being of older adults and are committed to building a better future with older adults. We think about contributing to the causes we care about with monthly donations or volunteering time. Some people are going one step further to leave a gift to charity in their Wills. They realize they can make a powerful contribution that will last for generations to come, without taking away from resources they or their families need.

It’s Possible to Do More by Giving in a Different Way

This new mindset among Canadians is triggered by the intensity of recent global events. Canadians also realize that it’s possible to do more just by giving in a different way. In fact, if more Canadians left even a tiny percentage of their estate to charity, the sum of all their efforts could represent as much as $40 billion to advance causes like keeping older adults active, engaged and informed.

When you look into it, you may be surprised to learn that a donation of as little as a 1% of your estate can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible. You are still leaving 99% of your estate to support your loved ones. You’re not using any of the money you need now.
The best part is that leaving a gift in your Will can be a very simple process.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you take the next steps:

1. Calculate your donation. You can determine how much you want to leave to charity, and how much you want your loved ones to receive, with a simple calculation. Use the Legacy Calculator tool developed by Will Power, a national public education campaign designed to inspire Canadians to think differently about charitable giving.
2. Discover the tax benefits. Did you know the Canadian government has created some of the best tax incentives in the world to encourage more giving to charity, especially from your estate?
3. Ask a financial advisor. Consulting a financial expert can help you maximize your donation and ensure it works in your favour. You can use Will Power’s Financial Advisor Finder to match with an expert in your region. There is also a handy guide available to start the conversation with your advisor here.
4. Learn how a gift in your Will to The Saskatoon Council on Aging would be used to advance health and well-being of older adults here Or you can contact us Virginia virginia@scoa.ca to find out more.