Philanthropy/Charitable Giving

Total 170 Posts

Foundation Disbursement Quota Increase

• • 0 Comments

  The 2021 Federal Budget announced the Government’s intentions to launch a consultation with charities about “potentially increasing the disbursement quota…beginning in 2022.”   Any increase of the disbursement quota (DQ) rate above the current 3.5% annual requirement will have significant implications for the charitable sector, foundations and donors.  Below is a longer than usual analysis of what it means and what to expect. Budget Announcement The Budget announcement is curiously….

Foundation Disbursement Quota Increase Continue Reading »

Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

One in Ten: Why Bequest Donors Don’t Inform Charities

• • 6 Comments

One in ten.  That, according to charitable sector studies, is how many estate donors inform the charities in their will of their intentions.  While this ratio varies by charity it underscores a fascinating paradox.  Bequest donors trust charities enough to make them beneficiaries of their estate, but they don’t trust them enough to tell them in advance. The Paradox This paradox is frustrating for charities.  Charities spend a lot of….

One in Ten: Why Bequest Donors Don’t Inform Charities Continue Reading »

Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

Restricted gifts of real estate

• • 4 Comments

When I was a young charitable gift planner, my charity was offered a cluster of islands on Georgian Bay.  Surrounding the 100-year-old family cottage were sheds, cabins and boat houses.  The donors had a vision: it would be a children’s camp. It was a stunning property.  Valuable, despite the sagging, mouse-infested buildings.  But this gift by will was contingent and restricted.  It would be a children’s camp, or nothing at….

Restricted gifts of real estate Continue Reading »

Estate Donations, Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

Cultural Property Donations Update

• • 1 Comment

[caption id="attachment_6826" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Iris bleus, jardin du Petit Gennevilliers, 1892, Gustave Caillebotte, Art Gallery of Ontario[/caption] The charitable tax incentives for donations of certified Cultural Property – art and artifacts – is the richest in Canada.  Cultural Property donations are exempt from capital gains tax and can be claimed against 100% of the donor’s net annual income over up to six years. The incentive is part of a complex….

Cultural Property Donations Update Continue Reading »

Estate Donations, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Uncategorized

Endowment Variations

• • 4 Comments

COVID-19 has hit the charitable sector hard, and arts organizations face particular challenges. A recent article in The Globe and Mail about the Banff Centre described closed facilities, lost fundraising, cancelled programs, layoffs, deficits, resignations, and protests. The article also mentioned a request to endowment donors for “permission” to use annual payout of “their” funds for operations, not the designated purpose. One donor, Myra Davis, refused. The money was for….

Endowment Variations Continue Reading »

Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Powers Of Attorney and Guardianship Disputes, Uncategorized

Residual Interest Gifts of Homes

• • 2 Comments

Can you donate the residual interest of a principal residence to charity?  Absolutely!  The question, however, is not can it be done, but should it be done.  In most cases, the answer is no – especially for the charity. Structuring Options Let me address the structuring options first.  It is possible to donate a home to charity with an intervening life (or term) interest.  This means one or more persons….

Residual Interest Gifts of Homes Continue Reading »

Estate Planning, Philanthropy/Charitable Giving, Trusts, Uncategorized
Scroll to Top