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Home Foundation Gifts in Your Will

Gifts in Your Will

Create a Legacy of Hope and Healing

Your compassion can change lives — today and long into the future.

By including Renascent Foundation in your estate plans, you extend your support beyond your lifetime, offering life-saving addiction and mental health care to those who need it most. Your legacy becomes a lasting symbol of second chances, recovery, and healing.

What Legacy Really Means

A legacy gift is more than a financial contribution — it’s a reflection of your values and a powerful act of hope. It’s your way of helping individuals and families find healing, even those you may never meet.

When you include Renascent in your will, you become part of someone’s recovery journey — helping open the door to treatment, restore family bonds, and bring light to lives affected by addiction.

The Lasting Impact of Your Gift

Legacy gifts have already transformed thousands of lives at Renascent. Because of generous supporters like you, we’ve been able to:

  • Provide access to treatment for those who could not otherwise afford care
  • Support children and families through our specialized youth and family programs
  • Offer alumni and continuing care services that foster long-term recovery
  • Expand access to addiction and mental health care across Ontario

Every gift — no matter the size — creates a ripple of change. Your legacy ensures compassionate care is always available for the next person who reaches out in crisis.

In Their Words

“Because of someone’s legacy gift, I got to be a mom again. I got to live.”

Renascent Alumni
“I’ve seen how addiction affects entire families — and how powerful recovery can be. I included Renascent in my will because I want to ensure others have the same chance to heal. My gift will carry that hope forward.”

Marianne L.,
Legacy Donor
“I would like to say thank you to the staff at Renascent for the great work they do here in the program. I have learned a lot about my addictions and got the help I needed here, so I can go on living a clean and sober life. I will miss the counsellors. I am looking forward to starting the after care program and continuing with my sponsor. Thanks to Renascent for the help.”

John,
Renascent Alumni

Ways to Leave a Legacy

There are many flexible ways to leave a future gift and support Renascent’s mission:

  1. A gift in your will (bequest)

  2. Donations of securities

  3. Life insurance policies

  4. Naming Renascent as a beneficiary of RRSPs, RRIFs, or TFSAs

  5. Creating a named endowment fund

Each option offers unique benefits and tax advantages while ensuring your impact endures.

Let’s Plan Your Legacy Together

Whether you’re ready to include a gift in your will or just exploring your options, we’re here to help.
Contact us at philanthropy@renascent.ca to learn more about how your legacy can bring hope, healing, and recovery to future generations.

Donate Now
Email philanthropy@renascent.ca

Types of Legacy Gift You Can Make

Bequest in Your Will

Leaving a gift in your will (also known as a bequest) is one of the most common and flexible legacy gifts. It allows you to retain full control of your assets during your lifetime while ensuring your legacy continues to create impact after you’re gone.

You can choose to:

  • Leave a specific dollar amount
  • Designate a percentage of your estate
  • Gift the residue (the remainder of your estate after other gifts and obligations are fulfilled)
Sample Will Wording (Canada):

“I give to Renascent Foundation Inc., charitable registration number 11911 5412 RR0001, the sum of $_____ (or ___% of the residue of my estate), to be used in support of Renascent’s general funds, where it is needed most.“

Unrestricted gifts allow us to meet urgent and emerging needs as they arise.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Make a meaningful gift that costs less than you might think.

Donating a life insurance policy is a powerful way to leave a legacy that far exceeds the cost of the premiums — especially when the policy is purchased at a younger age.

Why choose this?
  • Transform modest annual payments into a significant future gift
  • Make a larger impact than may be possible through your current income or assets
  • Receive tax benefits during your lifetime or for your estate
  • Maintain flexibility — you can choose to name Renascent as either the owner or beneficiary of a new or existing policy

Two common options in Canada:

  1. Name Renascent Foundation Inc. as the beneficiary of a policy
    • Upon your passing, Renascent receives the insurance benefit
    • Your estate receives a charitable tax receipt for the death benefit
    • No immediate cost or tax benefit during your lifetime
  2. Transfer ownership of a policy to Renascent Foundation Inc.
    • Renascent becomes the policy owner and beneficiary
    • You continue to pay the premiums
    • You receive charitable tax receipts for each premium paid during your lifetime
    • Especially tax-effective if the policy is purchased early, when premiums are lower
Why consider making this decision sooner rather than later?
  • Premiums are significantly more affordable
  • You can make a larger long-term impact for a lower overall cost
  • It allows you to begin your legacy early in life — and receive tax benefits now, not just later

Registered Funds (RRSPs, RRIFs, or TFSAs)

By naming Renascent Foundation Inc. as a direct beneficiary of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), you can make a deeply impactful gift while maximizing the value of your estate.

Why choose this?
  • Avoid probate: These gifts pass outside your will and are not subject to probate or estate administration fees.
  • Reduce taxes: The value of the gift offsets the taxes owed on the remaining balance of your RRSP or RRIF.
  • Simple to arrange: You can make this change at any time through your financial institution — no need to revise your will.
  • Flexible: You may designate Renascent as a full or partial beneficiary alongside loved ones.
How it works:

Upon your passing, the remaining funds in your RRSP/RRIF/TFSA are transferred directly to Renascent Foundation Inc., supporting life-changing care — and you or your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt for the full value of the gift.

Gifts of Securities

Donating publicly traded securities — such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds — is one of the most tax-efficient ways to make a charitable gift in Canada.

Why choose this?

When you donate securities in-kind (directly to Renascent Foundation Inc.), you:

  • Eliminate capital gains tax on the appreciated value of the securities
  • Receive a charitable tax receipt for the full fair market value at the time of transfer
  • Maximize your impact without reducing your cash flow

These gifts can be made during your lifetime or as part of your estate planning.

Eligible securities include:

  • Shares listed on a designated Canadian stock exchange
  • Mutual funds
  • Bonds
  • Other publicly traded investments
How to make a gift of securities:

We recommend you speak with your financial advisor and then contact us to receive our Securities Transfer Form and brokerage details. This ensures a smooth, timely transfer and proper tax receipting.

Endowment Gifts

An endowment gift creates a permanent source of funding to support Renascent’s mission, year after year. Your gift of $25,000 or more is invested, and only the investment income is used — allowing your impact to grow over time.

Key details:

  • A minimum of $25,000 is required to establish a named endowment
  • The principal is protected; only the income earned is spent annually
  • The fund is professionally managed and overseen by the Renascent Board of Directors
  • Additional terms may be developed to align your legacy with specific areas of care
Why choose this?

Endowment gifts ensure your support continues in perpetuity. You may also name the fund in your honour or in memory of a loved one.

Residual Interest Gifts (Real Estate or Property)

A more complex but meaningful option, you may choose to donate property or real estate while retaining use of it during your lifetime. These gifts require advance planning and professional advice.

Let’s Talk About Your Legacy

Legacy giving is deeply personal. If you’re considering a gift, we would be honoured to speak with you — to answer questions, provide guidance, and help you reflect on how you might like to be remembered or acknowledged during your lifetime and beyond.

Christina Selvaggio,
Manager of Philanthropy

Call 416-886-3584
Email csalvaggio@renascent.ca

All conversations are held in confidence and without obligation.

Important Note for Canadian Donors

Renascent Foundation Inc. is a registered Canadian charity (CRA #11911 5412 RR0001) and can issue official charitable receipts for all eligible planned gifts.

We strongly encourage you to consult with your legal, tax, or financial advisor when making or updating your estate plans. While Renascent can provide information on the impact your gift will make, we are not able to provide professional legal or financial advice.