A will is the most important vehicle for making financial provisions for our loved ones and ensuring that your wishes are known. A major benefit in making a bequest gift is that while you have arranged a gift to the hospital and have the satisfaction of knowing that it is in place, you retain control of the funds throughout your lifetime. Upon your death, the gift will be transferred to the Foundation and a tax receipt will be issued which we then reduce the amount of tax owing on your estate. A bequest can take the form of cash, real estate or other valuables such as stocks, bonds or guaranteed income certificates.

A gift of real estate opens the possibility of a large gift without using liquid assets. A gift of real estate makes it possible for you to make an immediate gift, and receive an immediate charitable receipt. A gift of real estate can take two options. First, an outright gift would result in a tax receipt for the fair market value of your property. The second option would be if you chose to give the gift of your property but retain the right to reside in the home. Such a gift requires that the property be irrevocably transferred to the Foundation. In this case, you would continue to pay all costs related to the property. However, you would receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of your committed gift while you are alive. The actual transfer of the property occurs when you choose.

A life insurance policy is an easy and uncomplicated way to make a Planned Gift. As the owner/beneficiary of the policy is the Palmerston & District Hospital Foundation, the insurance proceeds at death are not included in the value of the estate thereby reducing probate fees otherwise payable by the estate. A new policy can be purchased and assigned to the Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. You will receive tax receipts for the annual premiums that you pay. An existing policy ownership can be transferred to the Foundation and a tax receipt will be issued for the cash surrender value, plus each subsequent premium payment you make. In both cases, immediate tax benefits will be realized.

Marketable securities are a special form of property including stocks, bonds and mutual funds. They are transferable and usually easy to value. As such, they make excellent charitable gifts entitling you to a tax deduction. The tax receipt is based on the fair market value of the securities at the close of trading on the day the transfer is made to the Foundation. The tax receipt is immediate, and can be used for the taxation year in which the gift is made.

Each individual’s tax situation is unique and you may wish to consult your tax advisor.

Annuities are available for special circumstances allowing you to make a significant gift to the Hospital immediately, in exchange for lifetime security. Using the donor's gift, the Foundation purchases an annuity. The annuity provides a source of lifetime income for the donor. At the time of death, the Foundation would receive the remainder of the investment.