At the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation, we believe that every individual has the power to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our community. One profound way to do this is through planned giving—a thoughtful approach to philanthropy that ensures your legacy lives on by supporting causes you care about well into the future.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned giving refers to the process of making a significant charitable gift during a donor’s life or at death as part of their financial and estate planning. Unlike immediate cash donations, planned gifts are arranged now and allocated at a future date, often after you’ve passed away.
Why Consider Planned Giving?
- Create a Lasting Legacy: Your gift can help secure the long-term sustainability of Brockville General Hospital, ensuring quality healthcare for generations to come.
- Tax Benefits: Planned gifts can provide substantial tax advantages, potentially reducing the tax burden on your estate and benefiting your heirs.
- Fulfill Personal Goals: Align your philanthropic goals with your financial planning, supporting a cause that reflects your values.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
- Bequests in Your Will
- Description: Specify a gift to the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation in your will, which can be a set amount, a percentage of your estate, or specific assets.
- Benefit: Simple to arrange and allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime.
- How to Proceed: Consult with your lawyer to include the foundation in your will.
- Life Insurance Policies
- Description: Name the foundation as a beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.
- Benefit: Leverage a relatively small premium into a substantial future gift.
- How to Proceed: Contact your insurance provider to make the foundation a beneficiary.
- Registered Retirement Funds (RRSPs/RRIFs)
- Description: Designate the foundation as a beneficiary of your RRSPs or RRIFs.
- Benefit: Avoid taxes that would be charged to your estate on these funds.
- How to Proceed: Update your beneficiary information with your financial institution.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Description: Establish a trust that provides you with income during your lifetime, with the remaining assets going to the foundation after your passing.
- Benefit: Immediate tax receipt and potential income for life.
- How to Proceed: Work with a financial advisor or lawyer to set up the trust.
The Impact of Your Legacy
Your planned gift can support various critical areas:
- Advanced Medical Equipment: Help us acquire cutting-edge technology for better diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient Care Programs: Enhance services that improve patient comfort and recovery.
- Facility Upgrades: Support renovations and expansions to meet the growing needs of our community.
- Education and Research: Fund training for our medical staff and support innovative research projects.
A Story of Lasting Impact
Consider John and Mary Thompson (names changed for privacy), longtime residents of Brockville. They decided to leave a portion of their estate to the foundation. Their generous bequest led to the acquisition of the new MRI Suite, enabling more precise diagnosis and treatment planning close to home. Their legacy continues to touch countless lives, exemplifying the profound difference planned giving can make.
How to Get Started
- Reflect on Your Wishes: Think about how you’d like to make an impact.
- Consult Professionals: Speak with your lawyer or financial advisor to explore the best options.
- Contact Us: We’re here to assist you in making a gift that honors your intentions.
- Email: foundation@bdhfoundation.ca
- Phone: (613) 345-4478
- Website: www.bdhfoundation.ca
Additional Resources
- Canadian Association of Gift Planners
Learn more about planned giving and its benefits: www.cagp-acpdp.org
- CanadaHelps – Gifts in Wills
Information on how to include charities in your will: www.canadahelps.org/en/planned-giving/
- Canada Revenue Agency – Charitable Donations
Understand the tax implications of your charitable gifts: www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes/charities.html
Leave a Legacy That Heals
By including the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation in your estate plans, you’re making a powerful commitment to the future of healthcare in our region. Your legacy will ensure that Brockville General Hospital continues to provide exceptional care, embracing innovation and compassion for years to come.
Join us in shaping the future of healthcare—because your legacy can make all the difference.
For more information or to discuss planned giving opportunities, please reach out to us. Together, we can build a healthier tomorrow.