There are few legal instruments that are more important to the people and causes you care about than your will. Through a bequest, you can also have a direct impact on the future of rugby in Canada and help create a legacy that will live on for future generations. To make a gift to the Canadian Rugby Foundation from your estate, you must draft a new will or add a codicil to your present one. A bequest may be large or small, restricted or unrestricted. Your bequest can include cash, securities, real estate, other property, or a percentage of the residue of your estate. A bequest should be prepared in consultation with your lawyers to ensure your wishes are honoured.

Advantages of Bequests

• A bequest allows you to make a substantial gift in the future without diminishing your assets today. Therefore it costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your gift will live on. 
• Your estate will receive a valuable tax credit for your final tax return. This credit can be applied to up to 100% of your net income in the year of death and the preceding year. This credit can save your estate a considerable amount of tax, particularly if you have RSPs or large holdings of appreciated assets that will be deemed to have been sold at your death. Additional tax savings can be realized through specific bequests of appreciated listed securities and mutual funds.
• Bequests can be very flexible. You may make the bequest anonymously, and you have the flexibility to change them at any time that you wish. 

Things to Consider when making a Bequest

What type and amount of bequest do you want to make?

• A general bequest specifying any amount of money. 
• A residual bequest giving all or a percentage of the remaining estate after all debts, taxes and other bequests have been paid. 
• A specific bequest which ensures that the Canadian Rugby Foundation receives a specific piece of property, such as a financial asset. 
• A contingent bequest comes into effect when you designate the Canadian Rugby Foundation as a second beneficiary. If the first beneficiary you have named is not able to receive the gift, it is then directed to the second beneficiary. 

Do you want your bequest to the Canadian Rugby Foundation unrestricted or restricted?

An unrestricted gift provides the Canadian Rugby Foundation with flexibility to use bequests where they are needed most. However, some donors have personal philanthropic interests or regions they wish to support through their gifts. More than one of our many other funds may be selected or it can be split any way the donor would like.

A bequest is a simple but powerful way to make a gift to rugby in Canada. If you haven't already done so, please consider putting the Canadian Rugby Foundation in your will.