I
t's never too soon to consider
philanthropy as part of your estate
planning strategy. Besides the financial
benefits, leaving a charitable legacy in
support of causes you care about serves as
a true reflection of your values. Vancouver
Foundation works with individuals, charities
and businesses across British Columbia to
create endowed funds—not all of which
are permanent. The foundation's team of
experts strategically invests the original
capital to continually generate an income,
allowing donor gifts to last long into the
future or spend down over time.
"We then use that income to support
hundreds of charities every year," says
Craig Hikida, Vancouver Foundation's vice
president, donor services. "We offer grants to
support projects that address the root causes
of important issues and help build healthy,
vibrant, equitable and inclusive communities."
Vancouver Foundation's Legacy Giving
program provides exclusive services and
support for people who are interested in or
considering philanthropy as part of their
will or estate plans. "When you leave a gift to
Vancouver Foundation in your will, you are
planting a seed—a seed that, with careful
tending, will grow into something for future
generations to benefit from," Hikida says.
"Donors can leave a legacy to any registered
charity in Canada or select an issue of
concern and trust our community advisors
to allocate grants where they are needed
most. This includes causes in the future that
might not be apparent at this time."
For example, donors from the past left
legacy gifts that were activated to provide
emergency responses to the COVID 19 pan-
demic and 2021 flooding in the Fraser Valley.
Vancouver Foundation offers several
flexible options for giving, and the staff works
with donors to determine the best approach.
A nameable Legacy Fund can be set up for
$1,000 with a commitment of a minimum
of $9,000 in future giving during the donor's
lifetime or through an estate gift.
Another option is to establish a donor
advised fund immediately, starting with
a $10,000 minimum gift. "Many donors
establish a fund and start supporting their
favourite charities during their lifetime,"
Hikida says.
Some donors may want to support
multiple charities or causes, and dealing
with multiple beneficiaries can be a
daunting task for executors. Consolidating
one's giving at Vancouver Foundation
reduces the number of beneficiaries donors
and executors need to work with.
"We see the generosity of our donors in
action every day—legacy gifts that feed, that
house, that educate," Hikida says. "We see
donor gifts that create a vibrant arts sector,
gifts that care for our environment, and
gifts that support Indigenous communities."
Start a fund with Vancouver Foundation
and become part of a larger community
working together to make a difference.
Create the legacy plan you want,
now and into the future
Learn more vancouverfoundation.ca
Connect on , or @VancouverFdn
S P O N S O R E D R E P O R T
Created by Canada Wide Media in partnership with Vancouver Foundation
Vancouver Foundation
helps individuals,
organizations and
businesses leverage
exclusive legacy planning
features to help build a
stronger, more resilient
and livable BC.
