10 things you can do today to leave a legacy

1. Prepare a will. Without a will, you lose control over your property at death.
2. Leave a gift in your will for the not-for-profit organizations that made a difference in your life. Imagine the positive impact on your community if everyone made a gift from their estate to their favourite not-for-profit.Leave a specific dollar amount or percentage of the assets in your will to a not-for-profit of your choice.
3. Consider using assets for your charitable gift. These include, but aer not limited to, cash, stocks, mutual funds, term deposits, real estate, vehicles, art, jewelry or insurance. Such gifts may even provide tax savings.
4. Name a not-for-profit as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF or pension.
5. Name your favourite not-for-profit as the beneficiary of an existing or paid-up life insurance policy.
6. Purchase a new life insurance policy naming your favourite not-for-profit as the beneficiary.
7. Remember loved ones with memorial gifts.
8. Encourage family and friends to leave gifts to not-for-profits in their wills.
9. Ask your financial or estate planning advisor to include charitable giving as part of their counsel to clients.