Make a Planned Gift

Your legacy for a better future for all living things

There are a range of ways to make a lasting contribution toward a better world and to ensure that the environment is protected for generations to come. You may designate the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada as a beneficiary in your will, trust, retirement plan, or insurance policies.

A charitable bequest is a gift of assets to a charity through a will. A bequest allows you to make a substantial contribution that you may not have been able to make while living; it operates like a post-dated cheque payable only after death. At the same time, it is revocable—you can change your bequest at any time should your circumstances change.

There are four different ways to make a charitable bequest: specifying a percentage of the estate, a dollar amount, a specific asset, or a residue of the estate following the satisfaction of other bequests.

A specific bequest directs that a charity receive a specific piece of your estate. For example:
"I give to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGI) (Charitable Organisation Number 14053 0916 RR0001) all (100%) of my shares in the ABC Mutual Fund, to be used for the general purposes of said charity."
A general bequest instructs that a charity receive a specific amount of a certain kind of property, usually a sum of money. For example:
"I give to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGI) (Charitable Organisation Number 14053 0916 RR0001), the sum of $________ to be used for the general purposes of said charity."
A residual bequest designates all or a portion of whatever remains of the estate after all debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests have been paid. For example:
"I give to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGI) (Charitable Organisation Number 14053 0916 RR0001), fifty per cent (50%) of the residue of my estate, including, without limitation, real and personal property to be used for the general purposes of said charity."
A contingent bequest comes into effect only if the primary intention of your will cannot be met (e.g., if the primary beneficiary of the will does not survive you). This ensures that property will pass to the charity rather than unintended beneficiaries (such as the government).

Planned gifts and bequests may be applied to specific projects or programs, to the Institute's endowment, or used as unrestricted gifts to ensure the long-term financial well-being of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.

For any planned gift, please consult your financial advisor.

For more information concerning your estate planning and options with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, please contact Jane Lawton, Executive Director, at 416-978-3558 or j.lawton@janegoodall.ca.