Our donors are the type of people who care deeply for their community and want to make a difference. If you’re reading this, you’re an essential part of our work, and how we’re able to make sure everyone in the province has access to fresh, healthy food.
There are so many ways you can create change – from a one-time donation to a monthly gift – but many people don’t realize that planned gifts are a powerful option that can make a lasting impact. But what makes a planned gift unique?
Planned giving is the process of making a commitment today that is received in the future, often through a will. But planned gifts can also include donating stocks and securities or making a charity the beneficiary of a life insurance plan.
When you leave a planned gift to Feed Ontario, your gift can be a lifeline for someone struggling to make it through a rough patch, and can make sure those facing hunger don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Because we’re a province-wide network of food banks, your gift will have an impact all across Ontario and go where it’s needed most.
Your generosity is incredibly meaningful to us, and we take the utmost care to make sure your gift is used in the way you envision, so the difference you make will be felt well into the future.
If you’re not familiar with the idea of leaving a planned gift, you might understandably have questions about how it works. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the most common things our donors are curious about when considering leaving Feed Ontario a planned gift.
Do I have to leave a big gift?
A gift of any size can make an impact when you donate to us – for every $1 donated, we can provide 2 meals to someone in need in Ontario. We’re able to make sure every dollar goes as far as possible because we work closely with the grocery, agriculture, and transportation industries and with our bulk purchasing power.
No matter the size, your gift can make a lasting difference by providing meals to families in need across the province or by helping food banks in our network to purchase new fridges and freezers to increase their ability to receive nutritious food – benefitting their entire community. Your gift could also be used to help fund a public awareness campaign to call for a future without hunger in Ontario.
In any of these ways, a planned gift can carry your passion for making sure everyone has the food they need into the future.
I want to make sure my family is taken care of. If I leave to charity, what does that mean?
Making sure your loved ones are taken care of is essential. When leaving a planned gift, you can allot any amount to the charity you choose. With providing for your family as the first priority, you can leave a percentage that fits best for everyone you care about.
This allows you to not only to make a big impact on our work toward ending hunger in Ontario, but also reduces the amount of taxes your beneficiaries will pay just like other types of charitable gifts, making a planned gift a win for everyone.
Your planned gift will help both those facing hunger and poverty in the province and your loved ones in navigating the estate process.
Are there tax benefits associated with legacy giving?
Like we’ve talked though, there can be tax benefits associated with a planned gift when you donate through your will. A financial advisor can help you understand the specifics and set up your accounts accordingly.
But there are also many other ways to leave a planned gift that can provide a tax benefit, either in the present or in the future for your estate. Making a charity the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is just one example that can be set up very easily.
Giving stocks and securities, either today or in the future, is another type of planned gift and can offset taxable income and potentially reduce the amount of taxes you and your family need to pay.
It’s such a big decision, what if I change my mind or my priorities change?
We completely understand how important this type of decision is. Especially as you go through life, priorities change and unplanned events can shift how you approach your charitable giving moving forward.
The good news is, if you make a planned gift, you can change it at any time. Once your planned gift is set up, altering it is a simple process that can be completed by reaching out to your lawyer.
Is it complicated and expensive to make a gift in my will?
We understand that planning a gift like this can feel overwhelming at first. Making a gift in your will is generally simpler and more flexible than many people think. We recommend speaking with a lawyer or financial advisor to include a specific clause in your will.
Making a planned gift is a way to reflect your values and what’s important to you and make a lasting impact for the days to come.
It may feel like involved process before you begin, but the difference your donation can make is also significant. We value our donors an incredible amount, and we will go above and beyond to make sure that your gift is well used.
Whether it’s through raising awareness to address the root causes of hunger, supporting the work food banks do, or providing meals to those who need our help today, your gift can have a life-changing impact for people across Ontario.
No matter the size, a planned gift can leave a wide and lasting impact for our resilient network of food banks dedicated to supporting families, children, and seniors across the province. Not only can your gift can make an immeasurable difference for someone struggling to make ends meet, but it can provide benefits to your estate and be adjusted at any time.
We’re deeply honoured to be involved in your plans for the future, and appreciate the level of generosity that goes into this type of gift. Together, we’ll make sure that your values are continue to make a difference for generations to come.