How do you want to be remembered?
Ensure Your Values Last More Than A Lifetime
By including the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in your estate plans, donating publicly‑traded securities, or naming us in your life insurance, you leave a lasting legacy of hope, compassion, and support for families in need across Canada.
Your Gift in Your Will Makes a Lasting Impact
We have been blessed throughout our careers and now is the time to give back. The SSVP is our charity of choice for our legacy giving, both when we pass through our wills, and now through the life insurance policy we purchased in their name. As a result, we reduce our taxes today and the Society is assured of a gift in the future.
Michael and Donna Marasco, Victoria BC
Many of us spend a lifetime earning, saving, and giving back. But when it comes to what happens after we’re gone, too often we leave our legacy to chance.
Why work your whole life to build financial security – but not plan how it will reflect your values after you’re gone?
The benefits of planning ahead are clear:
- Peace of mind, a deep sense of fulfillment, and well-being
- Reduced family conflict
- Ensuring your legacy reflects your faith and values
- Maximized financial and tax benefits for yourself, your heir and the SSVP
Through a legacy gift to the SSVP your life’s work and your values will extend your service of love and hope. Let your legacy feed the hungry, clothe the cold, and uplift the forgotten – today and tomorrow.
Your values can live on – in action.
Ways to Give Through Your Will
- A specific amount or percentage of your estate
- A residual gift (what remains after loved ones are cared for)
- A gift of property or investments
Sample Wording for Your Will
“I give to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul National Council of Canada (Charitable Registration No. 132410671 RR0001) the sum of $____ [or ___ % of my estate] to be used for its charitable purposes.”
Let’s Plan Together
By sharing your intentions, you help us honour your wishes and express our gratitude.
Your gift, no matter the size, becomes part of a story that never ends — one of faith, hope, and love in action.
Donation of publicly traded securities
Donating publicly traded securities or mutual funds is one of the most tax-smart and impactful ways to support charitable causes in Canada. By eliminating capital gains tax, you can maximize the value of your gift while receiving a larger charitable tax receipt.
How This Benefits You
When you donate publicly traded securities directly to a registered charity, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does not apply capital gains tax on the increase in value of those investments.
Normally, if you sell appreciated securities first and then donate the cash proceeds, you may owe tax on the capital gain. This reduces the amount available for your charitable gift and may lower the value of your tax benefits.
By donating the securities themselves, you avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. As a result, more of your investment goes directly to the SSVP, and you receive a charitable tax receipt for the full eligible value of the donated securities or mutual funds.
How Does It Work?
Imagine you purchased shares in XYZ Company for $50,000 and those shares have grown in value to $80,000. Your investment now includes a capital gain of $30,000.
If you sell the shares and donate the cash, capital gains tax may apply to the $30,000 gain. After paying the tax, you’ll have less money available to donate, resulting in a smaller charitable gift and tax receipt.
However, if you donate the shares directly, no capital gains tax is payable on the appreciation. This means the full value of the shares can support the SSVP, increasing the impact of your generosity while providing a tax receipt that reflects the larger contribution.
It’s a simple strategy that allows you to give more, support important work in your community, and make the most of your charitable giving.
The chart below illustrates the difference between donating securities directly and selling them before making a gift.
|
DETAIL |
SELL SECURITIES AND DONATE THE AFTER-TAX PROCEEDS |
DONATE YOUR SECURITIES |
|
Original cost of securities |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Current market value |
$80,000 |
$80,000 |
|
Capital gain |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Tax on capital gain |
$7,500 |
$0.00 |
|
Tax credit |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Net tax savings from donation |
$32,500 |
$40,000 |
|
Total tax savings from donation |
$25,000 |
$47,500 |
|
Net cost |
$45,000 |
$22,500 |
Your financial advisor will guide you to transfer shares to the SSVP using the form available here.
Donation by life insurance
Donating through life insurance allows you to make a large donation by paying only a small portion of the amount. There are different ways to make a life insurance donation.
- You remain the owner of the life insurance policy by designating the SSVP as beneficiary of your existing policy or by signing up for a new policy. A donation receipt for the capital amount will then be given to your estate.
- You assign an existing life insurance policy (or you assign a new policy) to the SSVP which becomes the beneficiary and owner of the life insurance policy. The SSVP will issue a donation receipt that will correspond to the market value of your existing policy. You will also receive an annual donation receipt for the premiums you continue to pay, if applicable.
Other donation options
Planning a gift is a significant gesture for your assets. It is possible to plan the donation of other products such as:
- Donation in kind
- RRSP donation
- Donation of residual interest
- Donation of building
- Donation through charitable annuity
- Donation by a charitable trust
- Creation of an Endowment Fund etc.
We encourage you to consult a professional financial advisor you trust.
You can also send your donation to the following address:
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
2463 Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3K3
Need more details? Contact Philippe at:
exdir-dirgen@ssvp.ca
Tel: (613) 837-4363, Toll-free: 1-866-997-7787