Leave a Legacy

A gift in your Will to Special Olympics Canada is a promise to the thousands of children, youth and adults with an intellectual or developmental disability that local community based programming will continue to provide them a safe space to build confidence, find a community and develop new skills.

The Basics of Legacy Giving

We strongly advise you to talk to a lawyer or estate planner before confirming your legacy gift to Special Olympics Canada.

We hope this information is helpful for you as you have conversations with your loved ones and with your advisors.

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Step 1:

Review your assets. This includes your home, your valuables, your investments and more.
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Step 2:

Remember your loved ones. Consider what you wish to leave for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or other loved ones.
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Step 3:

Reflect on your values and your passions. With the help of your loved ones and advisors, consider what type of legacy gift is best for you, and create or update your Will.

Little girl in a red active start shirt, blue stripped rainboots with her foot up on a yellow cone that is lying on its side. Background is a gymnasium.

A Bequest in Your Will

There are three types of bequests available to you:

Specific Bequest – You designate a specific dollar amount or piece of property in your Will to Special Olympics Canada (e.g., real estate, stocks/bonds, works of art)

I, give, devise and bequeath to Special Olympics Canada, the sum of $_____________ to be directed towards the area of greatest need determined by the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Canada.

Residual Bequest – You allocate all or a portion of your estate to Special Olympics Canada that remains after all debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests are paid

I, give, devise and bequeath to Special Olympics Canada __________ percentage of the residue of my estate to be directed towards the area of greatest need determined by the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Canada.

Contingent Bequest – You make a provision in your Will that your gift only takes effect if your primary intention cannot be met (i.e. if the primary beneficiary and alternate beneficiaries do not live longer than you)

Upon the death of the survivor of my (wife, husband, etc.) ______________________ and my (son, daughter, etc.) ___________________ I direct my trustee to transfer and deliver the balance of the residue of my estate, including any undistributed income to Special Olympics Canada to be directed towards the area of greatest need determined by the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Canada.

Life Insurance Policy

You can name Special Olympics Canada as the beneficiary of a policy (including a policy from your workplace). You might also consider signing over ownership of a policy with premiums that are fully paid. In this case, you will receive a tax receipt for the cash surrender value. There are other ways to make planned or legacy gifts including RRSPs or RRIFs, Charitable Remainder Trusts and more. Please speak to your advisors about other ways to give that might have important tax benefits for you and your loved ones

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Special Olympics Canada recommends that before making any gift of securities of any size, a donor consults with his/her professional financial advisor(s) for the tax, financial and/or estate planning implications. Individual circumstances differ and you are strongly encouraged to discuss with your own financial counsel to ensure your gift decisions are appropriate to your situation.

For more information, please contact Daniella Sretenovic at dsretenovic@specialolympics.ca call 1 888 888 0608 x4406.