Legacy Giving: Create a Lasting Impact

Your commitment to health equity can outlast a lifetime. A planned gift to Partners In Health Canada ensures that the world’s most vulnerable communities continue to receive the care they deserve—for generations to come.

Contact our Legacy team

How You Can Give

There are many ways to plan a gift that supports PIH Canada while maintaining control of your assets during your lifetime. Each option carries distinct tax advantages. Explore the options below, and reach out to our team with any questions.

Gifts in Your Will
Beneficiary Designations
Gifts of Securities
Life Insurance
Charitable Remainder Trusts
Canadian Tax Advantages
Getting Started
Frequently Asked Questions

For questions regarding Legacy Giving contact Laura Kim at (416) 646-0666 or lkim@pih.org

Gifts in Your Will

One of the most popular and flexible legacy options.

A bequest in your will or living trust is among the simplest ways to create a lasting legacy with PIH Canada. You remain in full control of your assets throughout your lifetime, and you may update your will at any time. There are several ways to structure a bequest:

Specific Bequest: Leave a specific dollar amount or named asset to PIH Canada.
Percentage Bequest: Designate a percentage of your estate, so the gift scales with your circumstances.
Residual Bequest: Gift the remainder of your estate after other distributions have been made.
Contingent Bequest: Activate your gift only if certain conditions are met—for example, if a primary beneficiary predeceases you.

Canadian Tax Benefits: Charitable bequests may be claimed against up to 100% of net income on your final tax return. Any unused credits can be carried back to the prior year’s return. Estates qualifying as a Graduated Rate Estate (GRE) benefit from flexible donation credit allocation within the first 36 months.

We recommend sharing the following language with your lawyer or notary:

Suggested Will Wording — General / Unrestricted Gift

“I give, devise, and bequeath to PIH Partners In Health Canada, a registered charity located at #603-890 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 3P4, Charitable Registration Number 803670660 RR0001~~[####]~~, the sum of $[amount] OR [percentage]% of my estate OR the residue of my estate, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

For gifts directed to a specific program, please contact our team to discuss appropriate wording that preserves your intent while giving PIH Canada the flexibility to adapt over time.

Beneficiary Designations

Simple, probate-free gifts from registered accounts and policies

You can name Partners In Health Canada as the beneficiary—or a partial beneficiary—of registered accounts and insurance policies. These gifts pass directly to PIH Canada outside your estate, avoiding probate entirely.

Eligible accounts and instruments include:

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Life insurance policy

Canadian Tax Benefit

Your estate receives a charitable tax receipt for the full value transferred, which can significantly reduce your final tax liability. Because these gifts bypass the estate, no probate fees apply.

To make this designation, simply contact your plan administrator, financial institution, or insurance provider and request a change-of-beneficiary form. Our team can assist you with any documentation PIH Canada is asked to provide.

Gifts of Securities

Among the most tax-efficient giving strategies available

Donating publicly traded securities—stocks, bonds, or mutual fund units—directly to PIH Canada is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. When you transfer securities directly (rather than selling and donating the proceeds), the capital gains tax on any appreciated value is eliminated entirely.

Canadian Tax Benefit

No capital gains tax on the appreciated value. A charitable tax receipt is issued for the full fair market value at the time of transfer. Combined federal and provincial tax credits can reach up to 50% in most provinces. Securities may be donated during your lifetime or directed to PIH Canada through your estate.

Whether donated during your lifetime or through your estate, securities gifts are among the most tax-efficient ways to support our mission.

Life Insurance

Create a significant future gift at relatively low cost.

Life insurance allows you to make a substantial gift to PIH Canada that may far exceed what would otherwise be possible. There are several ways to use insurance in your legacy plan:

Name PIH Canada as Beneficiary
Keep ownership of the policy and name PIH Canada as beneficiary. Your estate receives a charitable tax receipt for the proceeds upon your passing.
Transfer Ownership of an Existing Policy
Transfer ownership of a policy you no longer need. Receive immediate tax receipts for any ongoing premiums you continue to pay.
Purchase a New Policy
Take out a new policy and name PIH Canada as both owner and beneficiary. Premiums paid entitle you to ongoing charitable tax receipts.

Life insurance can also serve as a wealth-replacement tool—allowing you to make a generous charitable gift while preserving the value of your estate for loved ones.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Income for life; legacy for generations

A Charitable Remainder Trust allows you to transfer assets into a trust, retain the income those assets generate during your lifetime, and direct the remaining capital to PIH Canada after your death. The arrangement can also provide for a surviving spouse.

Establishing a trust requires the assistance of a lawyer and a financial advisor. An independent trustee manages the assets on your behalf according to terms set at the time the trust is created.

Canadian Tax Benefit

Because charitable remainder trusts are irrevocable, a charitable donation receipt may be issued at the time the trust is established—calculated on the present value of PIH Canada’s future interest in the assets.

Our team is happy to work alongside your legal and financial advisors to structure this gift in a way that reflects your intentions and meets all CRA documentation requirements.

“PIH has been an important part of my life for many years. I can think of no better way to honour the work of our amazing staff around the world than to ensure PIH is prominently featured in my estate plans—to continue this work for decades to come.”

— Dr. Sheila Davis, PIH CEO and legacy donor

Canadian Tax Advantages at a Glance

FEDERAL TAX CREDITS

15% on the first $200 donated; 29% on amounts above $200 (33% at the highest income bracket)

PROVINCIAL TAX CREDITS

Additional credits vary by province; combined savings of 40–54% are achievable in most jurisdictions

FINAL RETURN CLAIMS

Charitable donations can be claimed against up to 100% of net income on your final tax return

CAPITAL GAINS ELIMINATION

Donate publicly traded securities directly to avoid capital gains tax on appreciated value entirely

GRADUATED RATE ESTATES

Flexible allocation of donation credits within 36 months of death for qualifying estates

PROBATE-FREE TRANSFERS

Beneficiary designations on registered accounts and insurance policies pass outside the estate

Getting Started

Planning a legacy gift doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple path forward.

Explore your options

Review the giving options above and consider which aligns best with your assets, your goals for your estate, and the causes you care about.

Consult your advisors

Work with a lawyer or notary, financial advisor, and accountant to structure your gift. Our team is glad to collaborate with your advisors directly.

Let us know

If you’ve included PIH Canada in your plans, we’d be honoured to hear from you—so we can thank you, understand your intentions, and welcome you into our legacy community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes to my legacy gift after I’ve set it up?

Yes. Most legacy gifts are revocable, meaning you can modify or cancel them at any point during your lifetime. Exceptions apply to irrevocable arrangements such as Charitable Remainder Trusts. We encourage you to review your estate plans periodically and contact us if your intentions change.

How do I know my gift will be used as I intend?

We honour donor intentions carefully and take our stewardship responsibilities seriously. For restricted gifts, we recommend flexible wording that allows PIH Canada to adapt if circumstances change—ensuring your gift continues to make an impact even years from now. We are happy to discuss wording with you and your advisors before any gift is finalized.

Do I need significant wealth to leave a legacy gift?

Not at all. Every legacy gift matters, regardless of size. Many of the most meaningful contributions to PIH Canada have come from modest estates. What matters most is your commitment to health equity and your wish to be part of this work beyond your lifetime.

Can I support PIH Canada now and through my estate?

Absolutely. Many of our legacy donors also give annually. Your current gifts make an immediate difference for patients and communities today, while your estate gift ensures PIH Canada can continue accompanying the world’s most vulnerable communities long into the future.

Only about 4 in 10 Canadians have a will. How do I get started?

Whether you’re creating your first will or updating existing plans, a lawyer or notary can help you document your wishes. Some Canadians use online services for straightforward estates. We’re happy to connect you with resources and provide guidance on incorporating PIH Canada into your planning.

Important Disclaimer

The information on this webpage is educational in nature and should not be considered legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please consult with qualified professional advisors before making any estate planning decisions or charitable gifts. Gift planning regulations and tax laws are subject to change.

To qualify for Canadian tax benefits, ensure PIH Partners In Health Canada is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency and that all documentation meets CRA requirements.

Together, we can ensure that health care as a human right continues for generations to come.