The Value of Charitable Giving
Incorporating philanthropy into your wealth plan is more than a generous and meaningful act—it’s a strategic decision that can help you achieve your financial goals. At Raymond James, our Charitable Giving program empowers you to give with purpose, flexibility, and impact, all while enjoying immediate tax benefits and long-term legacy.
KEY BENEFITS OF CHARITABLE GIVING
A well-planned giving strategy that is incorporated into your overall wealth plan has several benefits:
Tax Efficiency. A giving strategy can help manage taxes through donation tax credits and deductions. Charitable contributions generate both federal and provincial non-refundable tax credits that can be used in the current tax year or carried forward for up to five years. Explore our Charitable Donation Calculator.
Greater Impact. Focused donations empower you to give with purpose, ensuring that your donations have the desired impact and go further. Structured giving through a Charitable Giving Fund with the Raymond James Canada Foundation can create a legacy that endures beyond your lifetime.
Integrated Wealth Planning. Planned giving allows you to integrate your charitable goals with your broader financial and estate plans, creating a holistic approach to your wealth plan.
GETTING STARTED
There are many reasons to make a charitable donation: compassion for those in need, belief in a cause, support for your community or a desire to shape the future. To make the most of your charitable giving strategy, it’s essential to define your philanthropic vision. Start by thinking about your goals and values, the causes or charitable organizations that matter most to you and your family, and the impact you would like to achieve. Other aspects to consider are how philanthropy fits into your personal or family circumstances, now, during your lifetime or as part of your lasting legacy.
STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER
Many people start their charitable giving journey with direct donations of cash whenever possible, a strategy that helps to save taxes in the near term. A more strategic approach, however, can yield larger rewards depending on your goals, circumstances and time horizons for giving.
Here are some options that offer immediate or long-term tax benefits both during your lifetime or as part of your wealth transfer and estate planning:
- Set up a Charitable Giving Fund. A Donor Advised Fund such as a Charitable Giving Fund (CGF) with the Raymond James Canada Foundation is a philanthropic investment account that helps your gift grow. Ideal for structured, long-term charitable giving, it allows you to donate now, receive an immediate tax deduction, invest your donation for potential tax-free growth and grant funds to charities over time. A CGF is particularly beneficial for reducing taxable income and can support the involvement of family members in the philanthropic decision-making process. Learn more about Donor Advised Funds and the Charitable Giving Fund here.
- Donate shares. If you hold publicly traded securities such as stocks, mutual funds or ETFs, donating them in-kind into your Charitable Giving Fund is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. This method eliminates capital gains tax on any appreciated value while allowing you to claim a charitable donation tax credit on the full market value.
- Give a gift in your will. You can name a charity or foundation as a beneficiary in your will and utilize up to 100% of the tax credit in the year of death. You can also name a charity as the beneficiary of a registered plan, such as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).
MAKE GIVING A STRATEGIC PART OF YOUR WEALTH PLAN
A charitable giving strategy reflects your dedication to the causes of your choosing, your values and your vision, all the while seamlessly playing a strategic role in your wealth plan. Speak to your Raymond James advisor to see how we can help you explore the charitable giving strategy best suited to your wealth goals that will help you make a meaningful impact—today and for generations to come.
Learn more about strategic and meaningful philanthropy on our Charitable Giving website: rjcfcharitablegiving.ca
Our Total Wealth Solutions approach helps you define and reach your financial goals at every stage of life.
Securities-related products and services are offered through Raymond James Ltd. (RJL), regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RJL financial/investment advisors are not tax advisors, and we recommend that clients seek independent advice from a professional advisor on tax-related matters. Insurance products and services are offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., which is not regulated by CIRO and is not a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Solus Trust Company (“STC”) is an affiliate of Raymond James Ltd. and offers trust services across Canada. STC is not regulated by CIRO and is not a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
