This Barrie 360 article is brought to you by Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation.
What if you could make a lasting impact on the causes you care about … without taking away from the people you love?
More and more Canadians are realizing they can do both. By leaving a gift to charity in their Will, everyday people are creating legacies that support hospitals, education, research, and social services – often in ways they never imagined possible.
Whether you're creating your first Will or revisiting an old one, legacy giving is a simple, powerful way to do good for generations to come.
Legacy giving is on the rise in Canada
Not long ago, leaving a donation to charity in your Will was seen as something only the wealthy did. But that’s changing fast.
A 2020 Will Power study found that 5% of Canadians had left a charitable gift in their Will. By 2022, that number had grown to 8% – representing 1.2 million more Canadians choosing to make a difference beyond their lifetime.
And the momentum is just beginning …
Will Power, an initiative of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), predicts that another 5% of Canadians will include a charitable gift in their Will over the next six years. That could unlock an estimated $58 billion for important causes across the country.
That's a massive wave of generosity … and a sign that legacy giving is becoming part of the Canadian mindset.
Young Canadians are leading the way
You might expect older Canadians to dominate the legacy giving space. But interestingly, younger generations are more likely to include charitable donations in their estate plans.
- In 2022, 10% of Canadians under 50 reported already leaving a charitable gift in their Will, compared to just 6% of those over 50.
- Another 22% of Canadians, mostly under 50, are currently thinking about making a donation in their Will
- 11% of Millennials and 6% of Boomers have already included a charity in their Will.
- Millennials are more proactive with other financial tools: 11% have named a charity as the beneficiary of their RRSP or TFSA, compared to only 3% of Boomers.
This suggests that legacy giving isn’t just a “later in life” decision. It’s becoming a value-driven choice for younger adults planning their futures.
Why leave a gift to charity in your Will?
Most people who choose to leave a charitable gift in their Will do it for a simple reason:
“I want to help the charities I care about continue their good work.”
That’s what nearly 31% of Canadians said when asked about their motivation.
It’s a powerful way to make an impact – whether it’s supporting a hospital that cared for a loved one, funding cancer research, or giving back to your local community. Legacy giving ensures the organizations that matter to you today can keep doing good long after you’re gone.
And the best part?
You don’t have to choose between supporting charity and supporting your family.
You can still take care of loved ones
Many people assume they have to pick one or the other: help their family or help a cause.
In reality, most can do both.
As Laurie Fox, director of the Will Power campaign, explains:
“The average estate in Canada is around $980,000. One per cent of that is a five-figure gift – the kind of donation we’d never be able to make during our lifetime. And you’re still leaving 99% for your family.”
Even a small portion of your estate can have a big impact on the charity of your choice, while still preserving the vast majority for the people you care about most.
It's a win-win.
You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference
One of the biggest myths about legacy giving is that it’s only for people with large estates.
But as we’ve seen, every gift counts! Even small percentages can add up to a big impact.
In fact, many Canadians who leave gifts to charity in their Wills are middle-income earners who simply want to leave the world a little better than they found it.
No matter the size of your estate, you can choose to make a lasting difference.
Giving can also help reduce taxes
Did you know that charitable gifts in your Will can reduce the taxes owed by your estate?
When you leave a donation to a registered charity in your Will, your estate receives a charitable tax receipt. This can offset taxes on things like capital gains, RRSPs, or rental properties – potentially resulting in significant savings.
That means more of your estate goes where you want it to – either to loved ones or meaningful causes – and less to taxes.
A financial advisor or estate planner can help you structure your Will in a way that benefits both your family and your charitable goals.
How to choose a charity that matters to you
When it comes to leaving a gift, the most meaningful choices are the personal ones.
Think about the causes that have shaped your life:
- A hospital that provided life-saving care to you or a loved one.
- A local organization supporting families in your community.
- A national foundation funding research for diseases that affect your loved ones.
There’s no right or wrong answer – only what’s right for you.
If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself:
What’s had a lasting impact on my life? What do I want my legacy to support?
Choosing a charity that reflects your values ensures your gift will carry your story forward in a powerful way.
The takeaway
Legacy giving isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s not complicated. And it doesn’t have to take away from your family.
It’s simply one of the most thoughtful ways you can continue to make an impact – long after your lifetime.
And Canadians are catching on.
With awareness and interest on the rise, and younger generations leading the way, now is a perfect time to consider how you want to be remembered.
Even 1% can make a world of difference.
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