Legacy Gift

Working on the unceded territory of the K’ómoks First Nation .

Working with the K’ómoks Nation towards Q’waq’wala7owkw on their unceded territory.

A legacy is one way a person or persons are remembered. A legacy – large or small – to Project Watershed can be a part of that, showing a special commitment to the ongoing work of restoring and sustaining Comox Valley watersheds and the K’ómoks Estuary for future generations.

You don’t have to be wealthy to create a legacy. Creating it requires some planning, but it’s probably easier than you think. Most legacies are done through a will. Some would name the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society as a beneficiary on an RRSP or another registered fund, some on a life insurance policy, or a trust.

There are a number of options available and each has different types of tax benefits. We encourage you to talk to your professional advisor (i.e. your lawyer, accountant, etc.) if you have one because while everyone’s needs vary, your advisor can help you decide which options(s) may work best for you and your family. If you do not have or know of an advisor in your area, we will be happy to arrange a meeting with our (legal) advisor at no cost to you.

The Comox Valley Project Watershed Fund and the Robin & Jennifer Harrison Environmental Fund have been set up at the Comox Valley Community Foundation for Project Watershed. We will receive yearly interest from this fund and it is a good way to ensure we have funds in perpetuity. Contact the Comox Valley Community Foundation to donate to these fund.

Types of Giving

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Annuities

A gift of annuity is made when you make a contribution of cash or other property to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society in exchange for a guaranteed lifetime income (or for a stated interval of time).

It is an agreement or contract between you and the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society. Upon death, the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society would receive the remainder of the original contribution. Depending on the time elapsed the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society may get more or less than the original contribution. If an annuity is started when you are between the ages of 75-90 you can receive tax-free income. If an annuity is started when you are between the ages of 65-74 you can receive partially tax-free income. Where the income is totally tax-free, you will receive a donation receipt equalling the initial amount of your contribution minus your expected annuity income

Bequests

A Charitable Bequest is simply a distribution from your estate to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society through your last will and testament. To do this, you must use very specific language to indicate the precise direction of your assets and to successfully carry out your final wishes. There are various types of bequests to consider.

General Bequests are legacies that come from the general value of your estate and are made by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a fixed percentage of your estate to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society.

Specific Bequests are made when a particular item or property is bequeathed for a designated purpose. (i.e., Blue Carbon project; Field Sawmill project, etc. general operating expenses.)

Residuary Bequests are made when you intend to leave the residue portion (any leftover property) of your assets after other terms of the will have been satisfied.

Contingency Bequests allow you to leave a portion of your estate to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society if your named beneficiary does not survive you.

Charitable Remainder of Trusts

A gift of trust is made when you make the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society the secondary beneficiary to an irrevocable trust. The primary beneficiary (or the income beneficiary) includes you, and if applicable, your spouse. Throughout your lifetime or for a stated period of time you will receive a predetermined amount of the trust; upon your death the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society will receive the remainder of the trust.

Gifts in memory or in honor of someone

A gift to honour someone is any type of gift given to honour a close friend, family member, or a person for whom you have great respect. Perhaps the person was involved with or admired the work of the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society and you would like to leave a gift in their memory. This type of gift ensures that their legacy is always remembered through the work of Comox Valley Project Watershed Society.

A gift in memory of a loved one is any type of gift given to remember a close friend or family member who has passed. Perhaps the loved one was involved with or admired the work of the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society and you would like to leave a gift in their memory. This type of gift ensures that their legacy is always remembered through the work of Comox Valley Project Watershed Society.

Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance is made when you name the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society as the beneficiary. This means that you control the policy, and the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society would receive the insurance proceeds upon your death.

RRSPs and RRIFs

Gifts of retirement plans are made when you name the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society as a beneficiary. This means that upon your death Project Watershed would receive the proceeds and your estate will receive a charitable receipt. This receipt will counterbalance your final tax return, transforming some or all of the final tax liabilities you have when you die into a charitable gift.

Real Estate

A gift of real estate is made when you leave property, buildings, land, or a place of residence that you own to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society. This type of gift can be given immediately or specified in your will. You will receive a charitable tax receipt to be used in your final income tax return.

Residual Interest

A gift of residual interest is made when you decide to give the property in which you reside or any other property (art, valuables etc.) to the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society. You can continue to use and enjoy the property throughout your lifetime. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for the present value of the property when the gift is made. Upon your death, the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society receives the deed of the property.

Securities

You can easily donate some of your investment shares to Project Watershed and we will receive the cash value to complete our projects. Currently, you can donate your shares through Canada Helps. To get a tax receipt for the current year you need to complete the process by mid December.

Donate Securities Through Canada Helps

Canada Helps Process

Type in Comox Valley Project Watershed Society besides the search button and click “Search” then click the maroon “Add Charity” button in the pop up. Click the “Continue” button once Comox Valley Project Watershed Society is listed under Charity Name.
Answer a few basic questions on the next page regarding the securities you’d like to donate and how to contact your financial advisor and investment firm.
Complete the provided Letter of Direction form and send it to your financial advisor or investment firm. This authorizes your advisor to transfer the shares to CanadaHelps.

Please note: Canada Helps will issue you the tax receipt not Project Watershed.

Special occasion giving

This type of gift is usually given to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, or anniversary. It could also mark other occasions like Christmas, Mothers/Father’s Day, and Easter, etc. Perhaps there is a particular day which you would like to celebrate, or plan a gift. Planning a gift on a special day can add additional meaning to an already significant time.