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Leave a Legacy
The Bruce Trail has introduced millions of people to the beauty and fragility of the Niagara Escarpment. This is where precious habitat is saved and for many, where memories are made. You can give future generations the joy of discovery.
Gift in your Will
Give future generations the joy of discovery on the Trail with a gift in your Will.
We recognize that the decision to leave a gift in your will to the Bruce Trail Conservancy is a truly special one. Our vision to permanently secure and protect the Bruce Trail is a long-term one, and requires a source of dedicated funds. Your gift will ensure that precious Niagara Escarpment land will continue to be protected as it becomes available and that it will be cared for in perpetuity for future generations.
How to Arrange a Gift to The Bruce Trail Conservancy in Your Will
When deciding how to incorporate the Bruce Trail Conservancy in your Will, you may wish to consider a percentage of the residue of the estate once your loved ones are looked after, or a specific bequest.
Gifting a share of your assets
A residual gift allows you to leave a percentage of what is left of your estate or assets once all debts have been paid.
Sample wording:
My estate trustees shall pay or transfer to The Bruce Trail Conservancy all (or %) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for the general purposes of The Bruce Trail Conservancy.
Gifting a specific amount
This allows you to leave a specific amount to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
Sample wording:
My estate trustees shall pay or transfer to The Bruce Trail Conservancy the sum of $________ to be used for the general purposes of The Bruce Trail Conservancy.
Updating an existing Will
If you already have a Will in place, you may wish to speak with your legal advisor about the simple process of adding a codicil to your Will.
Talking to Your Advisor
This free Guide to Talking to Your Advisor, from our partners at Will Power, is a useful tool for beginning and directing the conversation about a gift in your Will with your financial advisor.
Here are a few highlights:
- Open the conversation by sharing your intentions. Talk about why you want to leave a gift in your will to the Bruce Trail Conservancy, and what kind of impact you want to have.
- Work with your advisor to better estimate the future value of your estate. Think about what percentage you would like to go to your loved ones, and what percentage to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.
- Speak to your advisor about the best ways to make your gift. Some options, like a gift of securities or life insurance, might come with big tax savings.
- How do you want your future gift to live on? Would you like to get your family involved?
- We encourage you to explore other free tools and resources on the Will Power website such as their legacy calculator to see your potential impact. You can also find a financial advisor in your area.
Information your advisor will need
Legal Name: The Bruce Trail Conservancy
Address: P.O. Box 857, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3N9
Charitable Organization No.: 11921 7578 RR0001
Calculate Your Will Power
A will is a powerful tool for change. You don’t have to choose between loved ones and the causes you care about. The Bruce Trail Conservancy has partnered with the Will Power campaign to help show Canadians they can do both.
Calculate Your Legacy to Support Causes and Loved Ones – Will Power
Are you getting the most out of your Will? Take our quiz to find out!
Disclaimer: The information listed on this page is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal or other professional advice. The above should not be used without first reviewing it with your own legal or other professional advisors to determine its suitability for your unique estate planning situation.
We’ve partnered with Will Power
Will Power is a national movement to educate Canadians on making a difference through their Wills. Many people believe they can’t support both their loved ones and Bruce Trail Conservancy with their Will. The truth is, even a small percentage can have a big impact, while still supporting your loved ones. WillPower is helping Canadians change the world with a gift in their Wills by providing tools and advice.
Writing your Will has never been easier with Epilogue Wills
Epilogue is Canada’s only online Will platform founded by experienced estate planning lawyers, to help you get the Will you need and create the legacy you want to leave behind. With Epilogue, you can complete your Will online in as little as 20 minutes and from the comfort of your own home. Plus, BTC Members receive a 50% discount when writing their Will with Epilogue.
Additional resources:
Gifts of Registered Funds
Another easy way to create a legacy is to designate The Bruce Trail Conservancy as a beneficiary of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan or Registered Retirement Income Fund. At no cost, you can arrange a gift that will help preserve the ribbon of wilderness for future generations, and reduce taxes on your estate with a charitable receipt. Simply contact your plan provider with a request for a ‘Change in Beneficiary’ or ‘Multiple Beneficiary Designation Form’; complete the form and designate the Bruce Trail Conservancy as partial or sole beneficiary; return the form to your provider.
For more information, contact:
Gloria Vidovich
Planned Giving & Donor Relations Officer
905-529-6821, ext. 248
Gifts of Life Insurance
There are a number of life insurance gift options available and each will have different types of tax benefits. Because gifts of Life Insurance are not subject to the probate process, your estate will receive an immediate charitable tax receipt.
We encourage you to talk to a professional advisor (i.e. your lawyer, financial advisor, accountant etc.) who can help you decide which option(s) will work best for you and your family.
3 easy ways to make a Gift of Life Insurance
Name The Bruce Trail Conservancy as a revocable beneficiary on a new or existing policy. (The easiest, and most common.) Upon receipt of the proceeds, a charitable donation receipt will be issued to your estate for the full amount.
Purchase a new policy and name The Bruce Trail Conservancy as the owner and irrevocable beneficiary. You will receive charitable donation receipts for the annual premiums paid by you each year. Receipts can only be issued for premiums paid after the transfer of ownership to the charity. It is important to discuss this point with your agent before you make your first premium payment.
Transfer an existing policy by naming The Bruce Trail Conservancy as the owner and irrevocable beneficiary. This could be a policy, for example, that was taken out to cover a mortgage that is now fully paid. We will issue a charitable donation receipt for the ‘fair market value’ instead of ‘cash surrender value’ and for any subsequent premiums that you pay in the future. This type of transfer of an existing policy could result in some taxable income; however, the tax credit you will receive from your donation will most often offset any tax due.
Meet Our Legacy Donors
Peter and Karla
“We’ve enjoyed and appreciated easy access to the Bruce Trail for years. If others get the chance to experience that too, then our gift will have made a difference.”
Nicole and Michael Martin
“The BTC is more than just a hiking trail for us. It’s about all the land around the Trail and the protection of the Niagara Escarpment.”
Norm Wingrove
“I decided to include a gift in my will to the Bruce Trail Conservancy because it’s doing such important work to help protect and preserve the Niagara Escarpment. With all the development pressures and building going on throughout southern Ontario, I feel securing land permanently for conservation is more important than ever. The Bruce Trail has also brought me so much joy over the years, nurturing my love for nature and adventure. It’s something I would like future generations to experience.”
Diana Laubitz
“Over time, we saw how the Escarpment was being encroached from all sides, and we felt that there was a strong need to support it, so that at least some parts of it would remain wild.”
Bob Ewen
“I remember feeling helpless and thinking how great it would be if the Bruce Trail Conservancy could secure 100% of the Trail. Being a student at the time, I decided that when I was in a position to do more, I would.”
Rosemary Petrie
“The Bruce Trail allowed me to discover the beauty of southern Ontario, and develop new friendships with people who shared my passion for hiking and the outdoors.”
Our Promise To You
Leaving a gift in your will is a deeply personal decision. There are many considerations, and we understand that you need to make it in your own time.
We are here to support you. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about the areas of work that interest you most, and how you can arrange a gift that will best support these areas.
We understand that your family and loved ones come first.
We will keep you updated about the work we are doing, and provide you and your loved ones with unique opportunities to learn more about our work to preserve a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever.
While we encourage you to share your decision with us, (so that we may work with you to determine how best to honour you and your loved ones with appropriate recognition), we understand if you prefer not to tell us.
We appreciate that circumstances can change. You have the right to change your mind about your gift at any time, and you don’t need to tell us if you do.
We value your trust in us. We will always respect your privacy, and treat your gift with care and sensitivity.
