Why a legacy gift

Did you know that through legacy giving you can have a lasting impact on the protection of places that matter to future generations of Canadians?

“I can’t think of a better legacy than protecting Canada’s heritage for future Canadians.”
—Enid Page, Heritage Advocate & Legacy Donor

Read the story of Enid Page, legacy donor and heritage advocate, and her legacy of heritage.

YOUR IMPACT

Through the National Trust for Canada’s legacy giving program, you can leave a gift for general purposes that will help us fulfil our mission as Canada’s national charity leading action to save, renew, and celebrate historic places.

You can also direct your gift to support the work that matters most to you – empowering volunteers and small community organizations, equipping local advocates with legal and planning expertise, or building the next generation of heritage leaders through scholarships, internships, and conference bursaries.

You don’t have to be wealthy to make a lasting difference. Leaving even 1% of your estate to the National Trust – while still putting your family first – can have an extraordinary impact on Canada’s historic places for generations to come.

What your legacy gift makes possible

Legacy gifts provide the foundation for the National Trust’s long-term stability and independence. They ensure that Canada’s national heritage organization can continue to take action – not just in favourable times, but in every era, for every generation that follows.

Protecting places at risk

Equipping local advocates with the legal and planning expertise they need to fight for places facing demolition or neglect.

Strengthening communities

Empowering volunteers and small community organizations with resources and support to save and renew the places that matter to them.

Building the next generation

Directing your gift to create scholarships, internships, or bursaries for young and underrepresented heritage leaders across Canada.

Sustaining national advocacy

Keeping Canada’s national heritage voice credible, persistent, and present in the policy rooms and courts that shape our shared future.

HOW TO GIVE

Many ways to create a lasting legacy

The National Trust accepts many types of legacy gifts. We encourage you to speak with a financial or estate advisor to determine which strategy best suits your situation and maximizes your tax benefit.

Bequest in your Will: Leave a specific sum, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate to the National Trust. The most common and flexible form of legacy gift.

Gift of securities or real estate: Donate publicly traded stocks, mutual funds, or real property directly to the Trust. Often the most tax-efficient way to make a significant gift.

Life insurance policy: Name the National Trust for Canada as a beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy to make a substantial future gift at modest current cost.

RRSP or RRIF beneficiary: Designate the National Trust as a beneficiary of your registered savings plan. A particularly tax-efficient gift that can significantly reduce your estate’s tax burden.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF): Direct a grant from your Donor Advised Fund to the National Trust during your lifetime or through your estate plan.

Other gift strategies: Charitable remainder trusts, gifts of art or artifacts, and other arrangements are all welcome. Contact us to discuss what is possible.

While you should seek the advice of a financial or estate advisor to discuss which legacy strategies will maximize your tax benefit and achieve your financial goals, the Staff at the National Trust are happy to work with you to create a legacy that reflects your passion for heritage.

Please note: If you wish to direct your gift to a specific program, we encourage you to contact us first to ensure that your gift can be used as intended. if you wish to direct your gift to a specific program or initiative, we encourage you to contact us before finalizing your plans so we can ensure your intentions are honoured and your gift achieves your goals.

GETTING STARTED

Your legacy, your values, your Will

Planning a legacy gift is simpler than many people expect. Here are four steps to help you get started. We hope this is helpful as you have conversations with your loved ones and your advisors.

1	Review your assets Consider what you own – your home, savings, investments, insurance policies, and registered funds. Understanding what you have makes it easier to decide what form of gift suits your situation best.

2	Remember your loved ones A legacy gift to the National Trust does not need to come at the expense of your family. Even 1% of your estate can make an extraordinary difference, while leaving 99% for the people you love.

Reflect on your values and passions

Think about which aspect of the Trust’s work resonates most with you – saving threatened places, supporting community organizations, advancing advocacy, or building the next generation of heritage leaders. We invite you to tell us what you hope your gift will accomplish.

4	Create or update your Will with professional advice With guidance from a lawyer or estate planner, create or update your Will to reflect your intentions. If you already have a Will, a simple addition called a codicil is often all that is needed you do not have to start from scratch.

Suggested Will wording

The following sample language may be used as a starting point when speaking with your lawyer. Please seek independent legal advice to ensure the wording is appropriate for your specific circumstances.

SAMPLE BEQUEST LANGUAGE

“I direct my trustees to give the sum of $_______ [or _______% of my Estate, or the residue of my Estate] to the National Trust for Canada (Charitable Registration No. 89380 1152 RR0001), 190 Bronson Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 6H4, to be used for its general charitable purposes [or: to be used in support of ________________].”

WILLPOWER™ CAMPAIGN

Canada’s legacy giving movement is growing – and you can be part of it.

The National Trust for Canada is proud to be a partner in Will Power™, Canada’s national campaign to make charitable gifts in Wills a social norm. Click here to visit our dedicated WillPower campaign page.

The campaign’s impact has been remarkable: the number of Canadians who have included a charitable gift in their Will has doubled since 2020.

10%

of Canadians now include a charitable gift in their Will, up from 5% in 2020

2.2M

new legacy donors inspired by the Will Power™ campaign since 2020

$58B

in future gifts possible if 13% of Canadians give in their Will by 2030

You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a legacy. Leaving even 1% of your estate — while putting your family first – can help ensure that Canada’s irreplaceable historic places endure for generations to come. Visit our Will Power™ profile: willpower.ca/charities/national-trust-for-

Have you already included a gift to the National Trust in your will? If so, we would love to hear from you! Informing us of your legacy gift allows us to thank you, and with your permission, inspire others with your story. If you would like to notify us of your gift, please fill in this confidential Legacy Form.

Are you interested in learning more? Call Patricia Kell, Executive Director, toll-free at 613-237-1066 or email pkell@nationaltrustcanada.ca.

Talk to your financial or estate advisor for the details about legacy giving strategies.

Talk to us about the possibilities for creating your legacy of heritage.