Planned giving and International Development Charities in Canada

Many charities involved with international development and humanitarian relief are familiar with CIDA funding, major gifts, and direct mail.  Some of these charities may receive in fact the vast majority of their funds from CIDA and other Canadian government sources.  Many of them are acutely aware of the importance of increasing their revenue to do more work and also to diversify their sources of revenue to provide greater stability and flexibility.  Planned giving, especially bequests and gifts of marketable securities, provides tremendous possibilities for growth, without requiring a large capital investment. 

Unfortunately, many international development and humanitarian relief organizations in Canada either don’t have a planned giving program or it is a very basic program. 

Here is some information that Blumbergs recently handed out at the Canadian Association of Gift Planners 2008 Toronto Resource Fair that may be of interest to those considering initiating a planned giving program or :

http://www.blumbergs.ca/images/uploads/CAGP_HANDOUT___What_is_Planned_Giving_Article_by_Mark_Blumberg_October_2007.pdf
What is Planned Giving - an article that sets out the different planned giving vehicles

http://www.blumbergs.ca/images/uploads/CAGP_HANDOUT___Starting_a_Basic_Planned_Giving_Program_for_a_Canadian_Charity_-A_Lawyer’s_Perspective.pdf
Starting a Basic Planned Giving Program for a Canadian Charity

http://www.blumbergs.ca/images/uploads/CAGP_HANDOUT___Leaving_a_Bequest_to_Charity_-_avoiding_common_legal_problems.pdf
Leaving a Bequest to Charity - Avoiding Common Legal Problems

http://www.blumbergs.ca/images/uploads/CAGP_HANDOUT___Planned_Giving_and_Professional_Advisors.pdf
Planned Giving and Professional Advisors - how to involve professional advisors in a charity’s planned giving program

As well in February I will be speaking at the CAGP Greater Toronto Roundtable event entitled “Preventing Problems Arising From Bequests “

Here is the information:

CAGP GTA ROUNDTABLE

PRESENTS

Education Lunch Session

Preventing Problems Arising From Bequests

Mark Blumberg
Blumberg Segal LLP
Barristers & Solicitors
 
Thursday, February 21, 2008
12:00 to 12:30 p.m.      Registration & Lunch
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.        Education Session

What is the line between education and undue influence? Can charities recommend professional advisors?

Mark Blumberg will guide us through legal and ethical problems that may arise when soliciting a bequest: clarity in will drafting, validity of a will, capacity issues, appropriate restrictions, disappearing wills, will kits and holograph wills.

As well in April I will be speaking in Vancouver at the CAGP national convention about “Planned Giving in a Global World” and the description is:
In this session, we will discuss basic information that a planned giving officer needs to know to allow for planned gifts in support of charitable activities outside of Canada. Topics will include the legal requirements and restrictions for Canadian charities operating abroad; examples of charities losing their status for non-compliance with CRA requirements; different organizational models for charities operating abroad; common mistakes and concerns with charities operating outside of Canada; and an overview of recent developments and flexibility in charities operating abroad.

Planned Giving provides a very important opportunity for charities to increase revenues and diversify funding in a cost effective manner. 

For further information please contact Mark Blumberg, a lawyer at Blumberg Segal LLP in Toronto, Ontario at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at 416-361-1982 x. 237. or please visit the Blumbergs’ Non-Profit and Charities page at http://www.blumbergs.ca/non_profit.php or http://www.globalphilanthropy.ca