Leaving a bequest through your will is the easiest and most important way to help the charitable causes you care about.  

What is a Bequest? 

A gift by will, known as a bequest, is a gift from your estate—a transfer of cash, securities, or other property made through your will.  

Remembering Habitat for Humanity in your will is an act that is generous, powerful, and surprisingly simple. It allows you to leave a larger gift than would be possible during your lifetime, while still retaining control of your assets. 

Types of Bequests 

• A specific bequest is where Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area receives a specific piece or amount of property. For example, a sum of money or other assets donated from the donor’s estate.
• A residual bequest is where the donor instructs to donate to charity all or a percentage of the remainder of their estate, after other special provisions have been fulfilled.
• A contingent bequest only takes effect, if primary intention in the Will cannot be met (for example, if the named beneficiary does not survive the donor).

Benefits include: 

• Your cash resources will not be affected while you need them.
• You retain full control of your assets during your lifetime.
• A bequest ensures your gift will be used to help hundreds of working, lower-income families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
• The beneficiary designation is revocable meaning it can be changed if your financial and/or life circumstances change.
• The final taxes to be paid on your estate may be significantly reduced, which can be a significant advantage for your heirs and a great comfort to you.

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area can provide you with suggested wording that will assist you in discussions with your lawyer. Please e­mail Chelsey Foucher, Fundraising & Marketing Coordinator at marketing@habitatsault.ca to request a copy. 

What are my next steps? 

• Create a will that reflects your wishes. You can make your bequest in honor or in memory of someone special.
• If you already have a will and are considering a bequest to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, the easiest and least expensive way to make a small change in your existing will is to add a codicil. The codicil will retain all the provisions of your will, except those which are modified by this addition.
• Make an appointment with your lawyer to draft or revise your will.  Your lawyer will help you with the key information and details.  Habitat for
• Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area has sample wording available to assist you and your lawyer.
  Contact Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area to inform us of your gift to ensure we honour your gift intentions as you wish.
• Consider also leaving securities to Habitat in your will. This can lessen the tax burden for your heirs. Your estate will be excluded from paying tax on any capital gains generated by the security. The more securities and other assets you leave to charity, the bigger the tax credit for your estate, and the fewer taxes that will have to be paid. Canada Revenue Agency allows you to donate up to 100 percent of your estate’s net income to charity.

We are here to help 

Should you decide to leave a gift of charitable bequest to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, we hope you will share your decision with us so that we can express our gratitude today. Your gift intention will be held in strictest confidence. 

The correct legal name to include is:  

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area
111 Elgin Street, Suite 303
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 6L6
Charitable Registration # 865217756RR0001

For More Information: 

Contact Chelsey Foucher at (705) 575-0020 ext. 224 or marketing@habitatsault.ca to discuss your particular situation and ask any questions you may have about supporting us with a gift of charitable bequest.

Let’s work together to ensure your legacy lives on. What are my next steps? 

• Create a will that reflects your wishes. You can make your bequest in honor or in memory of someone special.
• If you already have a will and are considering a bequest to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, the easiest and least expensive way to make a small change in your existing will is to add a codicil. The codicil will retain all the provisions of your will, except those which are modified by this addition.
• Make an appointment with your lawyer to draft or revise your will.  Your lawyer will help you with the key information and details.  Habitat for
• Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area has sample wording available to assist you and your lawyer.
  Contact Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area to inform us of your gift to ensure we honour your gift intentions as you wish.
• Consider also leaving securities to Habitat in your will. This can lessen the tax burden for your heirs. Your estate will be excluded from paying tax on any capital gains generated by the security. The more securities and other assets you leave to charity, the bigger the tax credit for your estate, and the fewer taxes that will have to be paid. Canada Revenue Agency allows you to donate up to 100 percent of your estate’s net income to charity.

We are here to help 

Should you decide to leave a gift of charitable bequest to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, we hope you will share your decision with us so that we can express our gratitude today. Your gift intention will be held in strictest confidence. 

The correct legal name to include is:  

Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area
111 Elgin Street, Suite 303
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 6L6
Charitable Registration # 865217756RR0001

For More Information: 

Contact Chelsey Foucher at (705) 575-0020 ext. 224 or marketing@habitatsault.ca to discuss your particular situation and ask any questions you may have about supporting us with a gift of charitable bequest.

Let’s work together to ensure your legacy lives on. 

This information and material is intended to provide general examples and reference tools for understating the way in which charitable gifts may be made to Habitat for Humanity and is for illustration purposes only.  Habitat for Humanity does not give legal or financial advice. 

Habitat for Humanity strongly recommends donors review this information and material and consult with independent legal, financial and/or tax advisors.  This will ensure you receive appropriate legal advice, your financial goals are considered, your tax situation reviewed and your legacy gift is otherwise tailored to your personal circumstances. 

Privacy Statement 

Habitat for Humanity protects the privacy of all of the information that you share with us. The personal information that you provide to Habitat for Humanity will be used to provide tax receipts, to contact you regarding your gift, and to keep you informed of other Habitat for Humanity events.   Habitat for Humanity maintains a strict policy of honouring donor privacy. Under no circumstances will Habitat for Humanity share, trade, or sell any of our donor information. 

*Updated Oct. 21, 2020