Giftfunds Blog

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it."

— Alan Kay

What Does Social Finance Mean for Your Preferred Charity?

Canada’s social finance market is growing, and it has the potential to significantly reshape the funding and financial landscape for charities.

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Impact Investing and What Donors Need to Know

Impact investing has become a point of discussion (and sometimes confusion) among donors and financial advisors.

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Donating Stock to Charity Can Enhance Your Tax Benefit

When most donors think about giving to charity, their first thought is often a gift of cash. But donating stock instead may enhance a donor’s tax benefit.

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Strategic Giving: Donating Retirement Assets

As the global economy recovers and we all grapple with the “new normal”, many Canadians are revisiting their retirement strategies and reviewing how best to plan their philanthropic legacy.

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Philanthropy for Entrepreneurs

The impact of the global pandemic on the economy will change the business world for decades to come—and for some businesses, the unsettling change is a positive. In a surprising number of cases…

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Discussing Giving Strategies and Tax Advantages of Donor Advised Funds

Giving through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is often referred to as an efficient way to conduct one’s philanthropy…

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How Corporate Giving Strategies Influence Donor Behaviour

Corporate giving is a term that often intersects two points of tension, and more recently, these tensions are on the rise. As a result, many corporations are thinking (and acting) more strategically.

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The Importance of Social Justice Philanthropy and What to Consider Before Donating

Social justice philanthropy is a hot topic in the news, on social media, and among donors. Ignited by important and in some cases tragic events, marches, rallies…

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Why Starting a Family Foundation in Canada is a Decision for the Whole Family

Making long-term charitable giving a family priority can be both rewarding and challenging. Oftentimes when a donor comes into a large sum of money…

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Donor Advised Funds Can Provide Relief for Charity During Recessions

It’s no surprise that charities and non-profits struggle when financial markets experience a sudden and significant decline.

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Donation Matching Programs Explained

A job today is much more than just a paycheque. People want to work for a company that stands for something and gives back to the community or the world in some way. For many companies…

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Matching Gift Best Practices for Donors and Investment Advisors

As a donor, imagine you could double your donation to the charity of your choice without having to reach back into your wallet—would you jump at the opportunity? Clearly the answer would be …

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Helping During COVID-19, Together

At the time of this article, there are more than 2.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide.

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COVID-19: Impact on Food Banks and How You Can Help

Before the novel coronavirus, more than one million Canadians relied on support from local food banks every month. As the global pandemic continues to impact every aspect of our lives…

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How Donor Advised Funds Can Help During Crisis

During these unprecedented times of social distancing, closures, and uncertainty, almost every aspect of our lives is being impacted. What’s more…

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15 Canadian companies that donate to non-profit organizations

Donating to charity as an individual can result in a very satisfying feeling and can offer considerable tax advantages. However, one person can only do so much. On the other hand…

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Ten Workplace Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising events and activities in the workplace not only help businesses make a difference for charity, they’re also a way to unite employees, boost morale…

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Commemorative giving in memory of a loved one

A commemorative gift to charity is a popular way to honour the life of a loved one. It’s not uncommon to read an obituary that asks, “in lieu of flowers please donate to……

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Four considerations when giving to international aid charities

In today’s globalized word, we are more aware than ever of the events and challenges that communities in other countries face. From natural disasters, poverty, health care, education and more…

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Finding the Right Donor Advised Fund Program in Canada

Donor Advised Funds enable individuals and their families to support their preferred charities how and when they want often with the help of their trusted advisors. In Canada…

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Donor Advised Funds Versus Private Foundations

It was not long ago that establishing a private foundation was the norm for donors who had financial means and wanted to structure a legacy of giving. However, the rise of Donor Advised Funds (DAF)…

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Giving to Environmental Charities in Canada

It seems that every time you turn on the television or read your favourite news source, the topic of the environment is front and centre.

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In-Kind Donations Explained — With Examples

When we think about donating to charity, we often think of a gift of cash. But there are a variety of ways to give, and an in-kind donation is one of them. An in-kind donation…

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Commemorative Gift Funds

Getting Started With Commemorative Gift Funds

Making a charitable gift to commemorate a person, group or institution that has touched our lives can be an enduring gift that honours the past and supports the future.

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What To Consider Before Starting A Private Foundation In Canada

Getting started with long-term giving in Canada … Planning for long-term giving can be a rewarding process for a donor.

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How To Gift A Registered Account Strategically

Three ways to minimize taxes on an estate … Many Canadians with registered accounts such as RRSPs, RIFFs and TFSAs decide to name their spouse as the beneficiary.

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Top Mental Health Charities in Canada

Why donors are focused on mental health … Mental health continues to be a topic of priority for many donors, and for good reason. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age…

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Making the most of bequests under a Will

Many Canadians approach their financial planning with the long view in mind. However, trying to predict personal cashflow needs and the needs of future generations can be difficult…

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Giving Through A Donor Advised Fund

Across Canada and around the world, donors choose to give for any number of reasons. Often the motivation to make a gift to charity can be emotional, circumstantial, or both. …

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Why Financial Advisors are Looking to Donor Advised Funds

Every year, millions of Canadians support the charities and causes they believe in. In many cases…

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What Is A Gift-In-Kind And How To Realize Their Value

When a donor decides to give to their favourite charity, a gift of cash is not the only option. Donations made in the form of an asset or property that has real value and is not a gift of cash…

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Four Signs a Donor Advised Fund Might Be the Best Advice

The relationship between a financial advisor and their client is built on trust, experience, and a mutual understanding of the client’s investment and life goals.

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Leveraging Donor Advised Funds for Residual Interest Gifts

Once a donor understands the options that are available to them through a Residual Interest Gift it might also interest them to understand the benefits of leveraging a Donor Advised Fund…

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The Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund and Wealth Replacement Insurance

Donors who choose to pursue their philanthropic goals through a wealth replacement insurance policy can benefit from establishing a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) set up through Gift Funds Canada.

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How Residual Interest Gifts Provide Donors with Options

Having options when it comes to one’s philanthropy can be a good thing.

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What is Wealth Replacement Insurance?

Donors who want to leave a meaningful gift to their preferred charity but don’t want to diminish the inheritance they are planning for their heirs, may benefit from wealth replacement insurance.

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Ways of gifting charitable endowments with donor advised funds

There are many benefits to gifting through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) for endowment purposes, both for the donor and their preferred charitable cause.

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What is a Charitable Endowment Donor Advised Fund?

Many donors are familiar with the concept of a charitable endowment but might be less familiar with how to establish this type of gift using a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)…

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Strategic Giving: Leaving a Legacy Through Life Insurance

Life insurance is a well-known way to ensure loved ones are taken care of after we’re gone.

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Three Benefits to Giving Through Life Insurance

Most often when we think of donating to charity, we think of it in the form of a direct contribution. However…

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Five Advantages of Donor Advised Funds

While Donor Advised Funds continue to grow in popularity across the country, so does their reputation for being a highly effective giving vehicle. But what exactly is a Donor Advised Fund?

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