At some point, almost all of us reach a time in our lives where we question what our legacy will be.
What did we do to make a difference and how will we leave the world in a better place?
A gift in your will to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding the environment, through law, for generations to come.
We would be honoured if you would consider a gift to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation.
For more information, please contact:
By email: Sambriddhi Nepal, Director of Development, snepal@wcel.org
By phone: 1-800-330-9235 ext. 209 (in BC) or direct 604-601-2509
For detailed information about legacy gifts, please see below.
The information in the legacy giving section of our website is not legal or tax advice. We can help you create your environmental legacy by working with you and your financial and legal advisors.
Learn more about ways to give:
- Gift in a will
- Gifts of life insurance
- Registered Retirement Savings Plans
- Gifts of securities
- For professional advisors
As we consider creating our wills, we face important decisions. We decide who we will leave our material wealth to and decide who is important to make provisions for with these gifts. We may often choose to support our family, loved ones and some may choose to support organizations that have meant a lot to us.
Your will reveals what you value in life. Once family and friends are cared for, we hope you'll remember West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation. Your legacy will help us to continue to harness the power of law to solve the complex environmental challenges we continue to face.
Why leave a bequest?
A gift in your will is the easiest and most cost-effective way to ensure that you provide for your family and your assets are distributed as you wish. Your bequest to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation will directly support our work to protect the environment and fight climate change. There is no cost to making your gift in a will (other than the cost of setting up your will.) A bequest often will eliminate taxes on your estate and may eliminate the taxable impact on your beneficiaries.
The most common types of bequests are:
- Residual bequest: West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation receives a portion of the remainder of your estate after other specific gifts have been made.
- Specific bequest: West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation receives a specific dollar amount or stated fraction of your estate.
- Contingent bequest: West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation receives a stated share of your estate, but only in the event of the prior death of other named beneficiaries.
- Trust remainder bequest: Named beneficiaries receive income from a trust established in the will. Upon death of the surviving beneficiaries, or at the end of the specified term, all or part of the remaining principal will pass to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation.
How to leave a gift to West Coast Research Foundation in your will
We encourage you to speak with your loved ones about your decisions regarding your estate planning. It’s important to speak with your professional advisor to discuss the proper way to establish your will. If you have decided to include West Coast in your will, you’ll need to provide your advisor with the following information:
Legal Name: West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation
Mailing address: 700-509 Richards St, Vancouver BC V6B 2Z6
Charitable registration number: 11929 2415 RR0001
Please feel free to reach out to us whenever you have any questions, wherever you may be in your process.
Have you already included West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation in your estate plans? Your commitment is genuinely valued, and we want to make sure our information regarding your estate plans is up-to-date and your preferences for recognition are honoured.
Please download and fill in our form and return it at your earliest convenience. Your information will be kept private and confidential.
Designating West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy provides valuable tax savings to you today and will help protect the environment for generations.
Why leave a gift of life insurance?
- Proceeds are paid directly to the West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation and are not subject to probate fees.
- You can receive a tax credit for your estate in the year of death when you make West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation the beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
- A gift of life insurance will not reduce the overall value of your estate.
- Life insurance gifts can make a big impact in our work to protect the environment through law and can have a relatively low cost to you while also providing tax relief for your estate.
There are three ways to make a gift of life insurance:
- West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation becomes the beneficiary of an existing insurance policy. Upon the donor’s passing, West Coast receives the benefits and the donor’s estate receives a donation receipt.
- You may transfer ownership of an existing policy to West Coast and receive a donation receipt for the cash value of the policy.
- You may take out a new policy in the name of West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation and receive a donation receipt for the premiums that you pay.
Registered Retirement Savings Plans
Designating your RRSP or RRIF to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation bypasses taxes and fees, ensuring that your savings are used to their maximum potential.
Why leave an RRSP or RRIF gift?
- Naming West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation as a direct beneficiary in your will allows your RRSP or RRIF to flow outside of your estate’s assets, meaning your RRSP or RRIF is not subject to estate probate fees and taxes.
How to include an RRSP or RRIF in your will
- Simply name West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation as the beneficiary of a RRSP or RRIF.
- Advise the institution holding your retirement account of the change.
Transferring securities such as shares, mutual funds and stock options to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation is a powerful way that you can protect the environment.
Why give a gift of securities?
- You pay no tax on the capital gains when you transfer your securities to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation.
- You receive a tax receipt for the closing price of the securities on the date they are received by West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation.
In 2006, the federal government eliminated capital gains tax on publicly traded stocks and securities when they are donated to a registered charity. If you sell your appreciated securities, you will incur capital gains tax; if you donate them directly, you will eliminate the capital gains tax AND you will be issued a donation receipt for their fair market value at the time we receive the securities.
This means that donating the securities to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation provides greater tax benefits than giving cash – and it’s just as easy.
Click here for a downloadable form.