Planned Giving

Like most Canadians, you probably donate by cash, cheque or credit card to your church and favourite charities every year. These gifts are certainly welcomed, and they result in a tax credit for you. But this is not necessarily the most cost-effective way to make a charitable donation. To learn more, download our planned-giving booklets for information on various methods of giving.

What is Planned Giving?
Planned Giving is giving an asset you own to a charity such as YSM. Many tax benefits can be gained from these types of gifts, but some careful planning is essential.

For an easy-to-use “Executor’s To Do List”, please click here.

Gifts of Bequests
A bequest is any gift designated in your will. It is a part of an estate plan that helps reduce the taxes and probate fees your estate will have to pay. A bequest is also your opportunity to create a lasting legacy that will strengthen the work of the Mission for future generations. For more information, click here.

Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity provides a guaranteed income for the rest of your life. A portion of the return will be directed to YSM, for which you will receive a tax credit. Income rates on charitable gift annuities can be very attractive, and in many cases, the income can be 100% tax-free. For more information, please click here.

Gifts of Securities
The Canadian government has recently made it more attractive for you to donate securities to charities such as YSM. When you donate publicly traded shares directly to the Mission, you pay no tax on the capital gains and you receive a tax receipt for the full market value of the gift. For more information, please click here.

Note: Giving a gift of securities is very simple and requires only your signature on a one-page transfer form. To have the form sent to you, please contact Jon Unger Brandt at Yonge Street Mission. His contact information is below.

Gifts of Cash
Gifts of cash are a wonderful way to support the work of the Mission. They are quick and easy donations that can be put to work immediately. For a reference table that shows how much money you can save in taxes with your gift of cash, please click here.

Gifts of Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance allows you to make a substantial donation to Yonge Street Mission at a relatively low cost. You can choose to give an existing policy, or create a new one. If set up properly, the gift can offer wonderful tax advantages. For more information, please click here.

Gifts of an RRSP or RRIF
Unless you leave your RRSP or RRIF assets to your spouse, or to a dependent child or grandchild with a physical or mental infirmity, your estate may have to pay almost 50% of your assets as taxes upon your death. One way to reduce this tax burden is to gift your RRSPs or RRIFs to the Mission. For more information, please click here.

Gifts of Strip Bonds
Strip bonds grow into much larger gifts over time. They are bonds that can be purchased through a broker for a relatively small cost. Bonds then mature into a substantial gift at a future date, allowing you to create a wonderful legacy for a minimal cost. For more information, please click here.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust allows you to receive a tax credit today while still using your gift during your lifetime. To establish a charitable remainder trust, you irrevocably transfer an asset into a trust. When the beneficiary of the trust passes away, the unused portion of your gift will go to the Mission. For more information, please click here.

For more information, or to arrange a personal visit or a tour of YSM, please contact:

Jon Unger Brandt, Director, Development
306 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, ON  M5A 2G7
Tel: 416-929-9614, ext. 4259
Fax: (416) 929-7204
Email:jungerbrandt@ysm.ca