Legacy Giving

Laurier's legacy is steeped in the tradition of ideas. Great ideas are born in Laurier's classrooms, residences and campuses. These are the places where a student enters as one person but emerges as quite another. Laurier sets the stage for these transformative learning experiences.

We push our students to take their education outside of the classroom, to apply the lessons they've learned and challenge themselves to make a difference in the world. When a love of learning is deeply rooted in the entire community, the way it is in the Wilfrid Laurier University community, it continues to enchant and reward future generations.

You can instill this love of learning in future generations by making a gift to Laurier through your estate.

Giving Options

Gift in Your Will

Having a last will and testament is important and every will, to be worthwhile, needs to be good. So, what makes a will good? How do you know whether your will is right? Here are three features that help to answer these questions:

W – Well done: A good will conforms to the legal requirements where you live. It is prepared and signed correctly, and it fully expresses your desires regarding your estate. It adequately cares for such things as guardianship, trusts and trustees, business succession, final declarations and other important matters your situation may require. When your will is complete and tucked away for safekeeping, you want to have the confidence that it was done well.

L – Laudable: A good will does good. That is, it addresses the needs of your spouse, children, dependents and others for whom you are responsible. Further, it does good by supporting those organizations that reflect your values and concerns. We at Wilfrid Laurier University hope that includes us.

U – Up-to-date: A good will is current. It adheres to the most recent tax laws and reflects changes in your own life. For example, you may no longer have minor children at home, or someone close to you has died or become dependent. You may have grandchildren, and changes may have occurred financially that have changed your estate tax status. Whatever the case, an up-to-date will gives you peace of mind knowing your wishes will be carried out and your responsibilities met.

Tax Benefits: Your estate will receive a tax receipt for the full value of your bequest, saving tax dollars. Careful planning can maximize the benefits for your estate and beneficiaries.

Your will is highly personal. While we understand and respect that you may not be comfortable sharing the details about your bequest, we encourage you or your advisors to contact us to make sure your gift is designated in the way you intend so that we can make sure your wishes are carried out when the gift is received.

Gift of Life Insurance

Life insurance is an economical way to give a larger and more lasting gift to Wilfrid Laurier University than you might otherwise be able to make. And you don’t have to draw on your assets now or deplete your estate. A gift of life insurance allows those of even modest means to make a sizable gift with only a small annual or monthly payment. Life insurance gifts can be structured to suit any financial situation.

Three ways to give a gift of life insurance:

You can purchase a new policy naming Laurier owner and beneficiary. The annual premium paid by you is tax deductible and tax credits are available for donations up to 75 per cent of your income.
You can donate an existing policy that you no longer need. The policy can be assigned to Laurier and the cash value in the policy is tax deductible. All premiums that you continue to pay would also be eligible for tax receipts.
You can maintain ownership of a life insurance policy and name Laurier as beneficiary. Your estate will receive a tax receipt upon death for the insurance proceeds.

Benefits of giving life insurance:

You can make a substantial and meaningful future contribution with tax deductible, modest premium payments.
The regular assets in your estate are retained for your family since your donation to Laurier is made out of the insurance payment.
You immediately become a major benefactor of the university, receive appropriate recognition, and extend your support beyond your lifetime to areas of personal interest.
Your gift will not be reduced by taxes, legal fees, probate, or administrative costs, and the gift cannot be contested.
There is no delay in payment as insurance proceeds pass to the university outside the estate.
You receive tax credits for your annual premium payments when the university is made owner and beneficiary of your policy.

Cec Joyal, Development Officer, Legacy Giving
Email: cjoyal@wlu.ca
Phone: 519-884-0710 x3864