What is
Leave a Legacy™?
Leave a Legacy™ is a community-based effort to encourage people from all walks
of life to make gifts from their estates to the non-profit organizations of
their choice.
Who is sponsoring Leave a Legacy™?
Leave a Legacy™ is an intiative of the London Regional Roundtable of the Canadian
Association of Gift Planners in partnership with non-profit organizations, sponsors
and allied professionals in Southwestern Ontario.
Why is the Leave a Legacy™ initiative important to
Southwestern Ontario?
As governments cut back on funding to charitable non-profit organizations, they
are forced to look for ongoing funding from other sources. In the years ahead,
experts expect a trillion dollars to change hands from one generation to another.
The potential for increased philanthropy to benefit communities in Southwestern
Ontario is enormous. It is up to us to show people how they can leave a legacy
to benefit future generations.
Don’t most people already know they can leave a gift
to charity in their will?
Apparently not. Only about 7% of Canadians leave a gift to charity in their
will. Why? The public is generally unfamiliar with this type of philanthropy
and the many tax incentives. Many believe they cannot afford to give a gift
to charity. They feel it is only something the rich can do, but even small gifts
are important, and most organizations are deeply grateful for them. Also, many
smaller non-profit organizations do not have the staff to reach and educate
their donors about this type of giving. Others don’t know how or where to get
help in order to establish a gift.