Planned Giving

When you leave a planned gift to The Riverwood Conservancy, you’re helping to safeguard a healthy a natural environment for future generations. Your planned gift will make an impact in supporting the continuity of essential environmental programs for people of all ages and abilities, and provide a lasting statement of your generosity.

A planned gift to The Riverwood Conservancy not only benefits the community and the environment, but also your own financial security. Planned gifts can reduce taxes, increase income, and provide benefits to your estate and beneficiaries. Your legacy gift can come in several forms.

Securities and Mutual Fund Shares

When you donate securities directly to The Riverwood Conservancy, capital gains tax is eliminated, allowing you to donate more. You'll also receive a charitable tax receipt for the full market value of the security upon completion of the sale. It's easy to donate securities, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, to us through Canada Helps' online donation form.

Gifts in a Will

A few words in your will can establish a planned gift to The Riverwood Conservancy that will protect the local environment for generations to come. Will Power has an excellent guide to help you get started with establishing a gift in your will.

Gifts made in your will are often made as specific gifts or residual gifts. A specific gift designates a fixed amount of money or financial securities to be given to The Riverwood Conservancy. A residual gift designates a percentage of the value of your estate (less your debts), to be given to The Riverwood Conservancy.

If you’re not certain of the size of your estate, residual gifts are a wonderful way for you to ensure that you can support your loved ones and the causes you care about the most. Below are examples of wording for each type of gift in a will.*

Residual Gift

My estate trustees shall pay ___ (all or %) of the residue of my estate to The Riverwood Conservancy, Mississauga, ON, with the charitable registration number 88941 8034 RR0001, to be used as The Riverwood Conservancy may deem appropriate.

Specific Gift

My estate trustees shall pay the sum of $___ (or transfer assets with an equal value) to The Riverwood Conservancy, Mississauga, ON, with the charitable registration number 88941 8034 RR0001, to be used as The Riverwood Conservancy may deem appropriate.

Life Insurance

Gifts made through life insurance let you make sizable contributions at a low cost.

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)

Naming The Riverwood Conservancy as a beneficiary is a tax efficient method of donation and is easy to arrange.

The Riverwood Conservancy Endowment Funds

These permanent endowment funds are held and managed by professionals with the Community Foundation of Mississauga. Each fund is an invested pool of money that provides an ongoing source of interest income which the organization can count on each year for its charitable work. The endowments grow over time with additional gifts from donors. Donors who contribute receive a charitable tax receipt, providing an immediate advantage to your taxable income. Consider a gift to one of these funds to honour someone, or commemorate a special occasion:

The Riverwood Conservancy Endowment Fund

Ensures long term support for the goals and mission of the Riverwood Conservancy, while annual interest payments go to the highest priority needs identified for programming and conservation at Riverwood in any given year.

Luke Gillin Fund

Devoted to supporting conservation and natural area stewardship activities at Riverwood.

Douglas Markoff Riverwood Horticulture Fund

Established in honour of dedicated horticulturist Douglas Markoff on the occasion of his retirement after 17 years as The Riverwood Conservancy's Executive Director, this fund is devoted to the cultivation of Riverwood's gardens, and to mentoring emerging horticulturists. Annual interest on contributions will support such activities as garden design and expansion; plant material purchases; and training opportunities for aspiring gardeners of all abilities and ages.

For more information on legacy giving, and to get started on your gift, please contact us at 905-279-5878 or by email.

The Riverwood Conservancy is a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and is listed in the Canadian Book of Charities and the Canadian Donor’s Guide.

* The information provided on this page is general in nature and not intended to be a substitute for professional legal or financial planning advice. We encourage all donors who are planning a legacy gift to seek independent legal and/or financial planning advice.