S p e c i a l F e a t u r e
C R E A T E A L E G A C Y
So I usually ask, 'If you could donate
to only one cause, what would it be?'
I want them to focus on what they are
most passionate about. And when they
understand what that passion is, I come
back and ask, 'What's the impact you
want to have for that particular cause?'"
That impact, he explains, may be
something you want to accomplish
immediately, or it may be something
further in the future. These considerations
will help guide the process of gift
planning. "We usually ind that a lot of
people don't give it that kind of thought,"
Amstutz says. "They leave their gift in a
will, which is a really great thing, but it
doesn't necessarily it their own personal
situation. We want to take a little more
time and provide some professional
guidance to help them do that."
Professional advice can help tailor the
gift in particular ways. For example, the
Canadian Cancer Society has a charitable
life insurance program. Life insurance
is a unique gift to a charity, because it
allows the donor privacy, and the gift
is paid out usually in a matter of weeks
after someone's death. In contrast,
a will usually takes two years to be
settled. Amstutz notes that each gift has
its own unique advantages that should
be considered as part of the strategic
planning process. Similarly, some people
are better served by making the gift
immediately, rather than putting it in a
will. This way they can take advantage
of the tax beneits, and also enjoy the
satisfaction of seeing their money help
those living with cancer.
For the Canadian Cancer Society,
working closely with donors is a helpful
and rewarding process for both parties.
"It sounds really simple," says Amstutz.
"We send a card to the family when
we receive a gift and we say, 'Thank
you. Your mom or your dad was so
thoughtful.' Their legacy passes down
to their children, and for us to see that
process, and to see the good that money
does to eradicate cancer and to support
people living with cancer, that is very
powerful. To have that engagement with
the family, that's very important to us
and it will inspire them [the children] in
the future."
