A planned gift can help a church sustain worship, care for neighbours, form the next generation and respond to a changing world — while honouring family responsibilities and the donor's freedom to choose.
Not giving through a church? See our general Planned Giving guide →
It is about what they want their life to continue supporting. It brings charitable intent together with estate, tax and financial planning.
The gift may be made now, through a Will, through insurance or through another carefully chosen asset. The right method depends on the donor, the church and the advice of qualified professionals.
A donor may leave a specific amount, percentage, particular asset or share of the estate's residue to a church using its correct legal name and charitable registration information.
A church may be named as beneficiary, or — after professional review — a policy may be transferred to a qualified donee. Ownership, control, receipting and tax timing differ materially.
Eligible securities donated directly to a qualified donee may receive a donation receipt and may qualify for a zero capital-gains inclusion rate. Selling first can produce a different result.
Depending on the account, governing law and institution, a charity may be named directly or a charitable gift coordinated through the estate. Tax and family effects require individual advice.
Cash or non-cash gifts can support ministry now. The donor should confirm the church is a registered charity, how the gift will be used and whether an official receipt can be issued.
A responsible plan considers dependants, retirement security, debts, liquidity and family expectations before fixing the amount or method of a gift.
A trustworthy planned-giving ministry is pastoral before it is financial. It teaches, invites and equips; the member decides freely with independent advice.
Offer annual stewardship education connecting faith, legacy, family and ministry — without naming products from the pulpit.
Invite members to identify the ministries, people and future needs closest to their hearts.
Provide correct legal name, CRA number, sample bequest language and a simple professional-referral process.
Adopt gift-acceptance, restricted-gift, privacy, conflict-of-interest and investment policies before gifts arrive.
Thank donors appropriately, honour restrictions, report impact and maintain confidential records and succession plans.
This sequence gives a church a credible, low-pressure starting point. Governance and professional review come before public promotion.
Include pastoral leadership, finance or board representation and one trusted administrative owner. Define roles and conflicts clearly.
Verify the church's exact registered name, CRA number, authorized signers, receipting practices and professional contacts.
Decide what gifts can be accepted, who reviews complex assets, how designated funds work and when the church may decline a gift.
Explain ministry priorities, available giving methods and the importance of family discussion and independent legal and tax advice.
Use a pastor, estates lawyer, tax professional and licensed insurance advisor in clearly defined roles. Teach choices; do not solicit commitments in the room.
Recognize intentions only with permission. Membership should never require disclosure of gift amount or irrevocable commitment.
"Which part of this church's ministry has shaped your life or your family?"
"What work of faith would you hope continues for the next generation?"
"Have you included the people and causes you love in your estate conversations?"
"Would information about legacy-giving choices be helpful — without any expectation to proceed?"
Churches are being asked to carry growing needs in a challenging world: spiritual care, food security, newcomer support, children and youth, seniors, mental-health support, global missions and the maintenance of sacred community spaces.
Planned giving can create long-term strength — but only when it protects the donor's dignity, family responsibilities and freedom of conscience. InsuranceVilla's role is to help explore the insurance and beneficiary-designation questions, working alongside the church, lawyer and tax professional.
Care for your family, live generously today, and consider what your faith might continue to do tomorrow.
Not always. A gift may be made during life or arranged for the future — for example through a Will or beneficiary designation. Each option has different control, tax, estate and family consequences.
It depends on the method. A charitable provision in a Will or revocable beneficiary designation may generally be changed while the donor remains capable, but an absolute transfer of policy ownership or another completed gift may not be reversible. Obtain legal advice before acting.
No. Receipting depends on policy ownership, beneficiary status, the nature of the transfer, any advantage and CRA rules. CRA states that amounts donated so a qualified donee can pay premiums — and certain payments made with its agreement — may be treated as charitable gifts. The structure must be reviewed before implementation.
No. The church may issue a valid official receipt only when CRA rules permit. The donor's available credit and its timing depend on current tax law and personal circumstances.
Gift documents and church policy should address this possibility. Overly narrow restrictions can make a gift difficult to use. A lawyer can help draft language that honours the donor's purpose while allowing responsible adaptation.
Gifts and Income Tax
Life insurance policy gifts
Donation of shares
Accurate donation receipts
Charitable beneficiary designations, gifts through a Will, and the tax treatment of any giving strategy depend on the structure used, the assets involved, and applicable law — and they can change. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use a specific structure. Before naming a charity as a beneficiary or restructuring a gift, coordinate the plan with a qualified lawyer, tax professional, and the intended charitable organization.
InsuranceVilla can help churches and families explore the insurance side of a planned gift, identify questions for legal and tax advisors, and coordinate a respectful legacy-planning conversation.
Request a Planned-Giving ConversationGeneral Canadian information only. This page is not legal, tax, accounting, charitable-receipting, investment or insurance advice and does not guarantee any tax result, donation receipt or insurance coverage. Planned gifts depend on current law, charitable status, the donor's circumstances, policy or account terms and properly completed documents. Donors should obtain independent legal and tax advice and ensure family and dependant needs are addressed. Churches should obtain professional guidance and approve appropriate gift-acceptance, privacy and conflict-of-interest policies. Insurance products are subject to suitability review, contract terms, conditions and underwriting.