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Think about change for tomorrow: Plan a gift
Families experiencing violence, divorce or separation… the loss of an intimate life partner… individuals with intellectual disabilities… seniors facing abuse… living with hiv/aids...
Whatever the challenge, we’re here to help!
For over 94 years Family Service Toronto has been a fabric in the City of Toronto, weaving through the many lives of those who need a helping hand.
Compassion. Connection. Community. These remain the core values of the work we do each and every day in our mission to strengthen individuals, families and communities through counselling, education, social action, advocacy and community development. Your planned gift will have a significant and lasting impact on the work of Family Service Toronto.
Bequests
You can make a commitment today in the work of FST which will be realized in the future. You may even be able to make a significantly larger impact than you ever thought possible. By thinking about change for tomorrow, you can let FST know about your intention to leave a bequest. This can be a sum of money, a percentage of your estate or a property. With a lawyer or tax planner’s assistance, you may also find strategies to reduce taxes.
Did you know:
- The gift of a bequest allows you to make a long-term commitment without affecting your current standard of living. It provides the comfort of knowing your assets are still available to you today if needed.
- Other than the cost of preparing the will, it doesn't cost anything to make a generous gift to Family Service Toronto through a bequest.
- You can specify a dollar amount or a specific piece of personal property or you can specify a share or percentage of your estate.
- A bequest allows you to make a tax-effective gift. Your estate may claim charitable donations in the year of death equal to 100% of your net income (higher than the limit of 75% for living donors). Any unused charitable donations can be carried back to the previous tax year at the same higher rate.
Gifts of publicly Traded Securities
Did you know that donations of publicly listed securities are exempt from all capital gains taxation?
Making a donation of securities to FST is a wonderful way to make an investment in the people we serve. By donating, instead of selling the securities and making a gift of cash, you are able to have an even bigger impact and at the same time be exempt from capital gains. The value of your gift, for tax receipt purposes, is based on the closing price of the shares on the day they are received by FST.
Note: If shares are sold and then the proceeds donated to FST, the enhanced tax benefits do not apply.
You may instruct your broker to transfer your gift of securities electronically or via certificate. In either case, it makes sense to inform FST of your intentions—preferably at least one day in advance of your planned transfer—so that we may thank you, notify our banking representative of when to expect your gift and ensure that your gift is used by FST according to your wishes. FST can provide you with all the necessary information as well as a form you can use will to help your broker arrange the transfer.
To discuss a planned gift or to learn more, please call Brian Porter, Director, Marketing and Communications, 416-595-9230 ext. 225; brianpo@familyservicetoronto.org







