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Planned Giving
It’s convenient. You make
arrangements when you want, at
your own pace. You can take all
the time you want to investigate
your potential choices and figure
out what you want to do and how
you want to do it. There’s no hurry
or worry.
It’s a productive, positive way
to get your own financial house in
order. You can sit down with a
financial advisor and take a look
at where you’re at, what you’ve
got and what you want to do. You
can still ensure your extended
family is well looked after once
you’re gone and there need not be
any impact on your lifestyle in the
here and now. That’s what the
planning is all about. And that’s
why it’s a wise idea to have a
financial expert at your side.
You’ve got choices. Unlike
those instances when you’re on
Each of us begins life with a blank sheet
of paper. Well, it’s more like a book of blank
pages. As we go through the days and years,
we write our story through our thoughts and
actions.
Some of us live long enough to have a
book of many pages . . . and some live for only
a few pages. Some have many chapters denoting
a variety of interests and involvements;
others have only half a dozen or so.
the spot, pulling out your checkbook
at the door or in the checkout
line at the supermarket, you
have options in terms of the big
picture – what happens to your
estate and how you want to make
a difference in life and in your
afterlife.
You can leave a legacy. You
can actually have a considerable,
positive impact that continues on
for future generations.
Planned giving can result in
considerable tax benefits for you,
as well as the charity you are supporting.
A professional can help
you make the right choices to
maximize the financial impact of
your gift. She or he can figure out
the tax implications and how to
devise a plan so that it works in
your best interest.
There are a couple of key
things you need to do in order to
September 2008 • Ottawa 6 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
make a successful planned gift.
The first thing is to get a lawyer
and make a will. It’s the legal
document that ensures your charitable
giving plan will be honoured.
If you don’t have a legal
will, it might not happen and
there’s no telling what may happen
to your estate. It’s also important
to get help from an expert,
such as a financial planner or an
estate planning advisor. That way,
you don’t have to worry about any
red tape or hassles. You’ll also be
certain you achieve the most benefit,
while ensuring your family is
well looked after once you’re gone
and that your planned gift will not
infringe on your quality of life
here and now.
The bottom line?
You get to make good things
happen for years to come – and
you get to eat in peace.
Your Chapter on Philanthropy
As you write your life’s story through
your deliberations and deeds, will there be a
chapter devoted to philanthropy? And will it
include gifts to Saint Paul University?
My hope is that your book of life will
include many wonderful thoughts and experiences
regarding your association with Saint
Paul University, and that your chapter on philanthropy
will include something like “My
Bequest to Saint Paul University: What I Gave
and Why.”
Or perhaps your philanthropy chapter
will have a section on “My Gift of Life
Insurance to Saint Paul University: Ensuring
the Future of Saint Paul.”
Perhaps another section might be “The
Day I Discovered Endowments and Why I
Established One in My Spouse’s Name.”
There are lots of possibilities for filling a
chapter on giving. There are so many wonderful
and deserving causes to consider. I hope
that when you write your chapter on philanthropy
you will include Saint Paul University
among your favourite causes.
Your will is a great place to start your
chapter on philanthropy.
Don’t have a will? Don’t know where to
start? Or do you have a will but hadn’t
thought about a bequest to Saint Paul
University?
Just give me a call and we can begin with
a simple conversation to address some of the
these concerns. All discussions will be confidential
and without obligation.
As Director, Alumni and Development,
part of my job is to help people as they consider
their acts of philanthropy. I would be happy
to visit with you and listen to your hopes and
dreams for your chapter on philanthropy . . .
and, as a “good editor,” guide you in finding
just the right way to express your support for
Saint Paul University.
Daniel G. Clapin, ACFRE
Director, Alumni and Development
223 Main, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4
Telephone: 613-236-1393, ext. 2257
Telephone (toll-free): 1-800-637-6859
Fax 613-782-3033
E-mail: dclapin@ustpaul.ca