legacy giving

how will you be remembered?

Leaving a legacy is a powerful way to pay it forward and make a lasting impact on families in need. By providing safe and decent homes, you’re helping families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership—creating a foundation for them to eventually graduate into market homeownership.

what can you give?

Legacy gifts can take many forms, including:

  • Cash
  • Real estate
  • Securities
  • Life insurance policies
  • Retirement plan funds

These thoughtful gifts are one of the most efficient ways to significantly contribute to a cause close to your heart while easing the tax burden on your future estate.

With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing opportunities for generations to come.

The correct legal name to include is:

Habitat for Humanity Edmonton Society
8210 Yellowhead Trail NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 1G5

Charitable Registration Number: 12944 3966 RR0001

why donate to charity in your Will?

Our donors are always amazed when we tell them how far their donations stretch, and how much more we can do for affordable homeownership with every extra dollar.

When we show them what a small percentage in their Will to Habitat Edmonton could look like, they do the math and their eyes light up.

Remember, that the value of your “estate” is the sum of any property and/or business you own, your pension and/or registered funds, any securities like stocks or mutual funds, any cash savings, and life insurance. It adds up, even if you subtract debt.

In fact, the average Canadian family in 2023 had a net worth of $981,816. If you put just 1% of that aside for charity, you’d be looking at a donation of about $10,000! When else could the average Canadian make such an extraordinary impact?

When a donor tells us they’ve left a gift in their Will, we often get into the “why”. Most speak about their work with Habitat Edmonton as an expression of their values; something that provides them purpose, pride or enjoyment. They see their contributions of time and money as an investment in affordable homeownership. 

So it only makes sense that they’d want their good work to continue on after they’re gone. Not just to keep their investment going, but also to show leadership and motivate others to get involved.

Imagine the pride your children or grandchildren will feel knowing that your legacy has provided a home — a foundation of strength, stability, and self-reliance — for Albertans for years to come. Picture the honour it would bring them to play a role in building new affordable homes within our community, continuing the values you hold dear. And remember, your gift doesn’t have to be monumental to make a lasting difference; even small gestures can create ripples of opportunity for generations to come.

When your loved ones have something tangible, meaningful, and bigger than you to associate with your memory, you will have created a legacy that future generations can rally around.

Taxes probably aren’t the first thing you think about when it comes to charity. But Canada actually has some of the most generous charitable tax incentives in the world! In Canada, when you make a donation, you get a charitable tax credit that can go a long way to help pay down what you owe.

Your loved ones might need that charitable tax credit when you pass, because your estate is likely to be hit with a huge tax bill they’ll have to take care of. You can even structure your donation in different ways so that you get the biggest tax break possible.

A popular approach is to name a charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP, because the credit received will close to cancel out what would be owed on this heavily taxed asset.

If you’re interested to learn more, you can always book a consultation with a financial advisor who specializes in charitable giving.

need more info on how to start?

read the free step-by-step guide!

FAQs

It’s possible to support both family and charity in your Will. Think about your Will in terms of percentages. If you set aside even 1% in your Will for charity you can make a big difference (and help pay down taxes). And you’re still leaving 99% to support loved ones. It’s a win-win.

You might have more than you think. For example, donors are often surprised to hear that the RRSP or life insurance policy they have through work can be a smart way to give.

It’s worth taking stock of your assets. Even a modest amount can make a big impact.

No, it’s actually middle-income Canadians who typically give this way. Did you know that the average donation made in a Will, from the average Canadian, is thought to be around $35,000? That’s the power of gifts in Wills!

It’s true that you will not be able to see your gift in action. But when you leave a donation to Habitat Edmonton in your Will, you become part of the family. We share our future goals with you, and how your gift fits into the plan. Most of our legacy donors find they get closer to the cause.

Remember, your Will is not set in stone. People generally update their Will at least a couple of times in your life. You can always make changes.

You might also consider tools outside your Will to make a legacy gift. For instance, you can name a charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP or life insurance policy, and make changes any time. No hassle, no fuss.

If you have any assets, you’re not too young to be thinking about what happens to them. Because if you don’t have a plan, the government (and CRA) do!

This is not about death. It’s about life; and your life specifically. It’s about the person you are, the values you demonstrate, and the example you want to set.

Not enough people think about their legacy, and take an active role in shaping it. It can be a very empowering process!