A charitable strategy
Advice can help people to make the best decisions and feel satisfied about their giving
Most Canadians want to have an impact in their community and help others and Islanders are no exception, often ranking among the most generous provinces in making gifts to charities.
That was the message delivered to Island charities at a recent P.E.I. Advocis meeting.
Paul Nazareth, vice-president, community engagement at Canada Helps, was in the province instructing a course for the Canadian Association of Gift Planning (CAGP). He also spoke at a P.E.I. Advocis meeting to encourage Island advisers to start having deeper conversation with their clients.
“Clients want to tell you what is important to them and how they want to be remembered,” says Nazareth.
He told the audience that having that conversation will only strengthen their relationship. He also noted timing is key.
“Most Canadians do a bulk of their charitable giving the last week of December before the end of the tax year and slip cheques under the doors of their favourite charities or donate online before the deadline,” said Nazareth.
“If there is one message, I can give you today, that is to get your clients giving from their
assets with the most capital gains.”
He said many people invested in the stock market early in their life and those publically traded securities have appreciated in value. Transferring shares with the highest capital gains to their favourite charity is a much more strategic way to make a donation than the traditional way of writing cheques at the end of the tax year.
Daniel Martens, chairman of P.E.I. Advocis, said the talk was useful for his group.
“Our association provides educational sessions for our members, and this topic is timely as we want to do more to help our clients make the best decisions and feel satisfied about their giving.”
Helen Chapman, chairwoman of the P.E.I. Chapter for Canadian Association of Gift Planners, says CAGP is the only organization in Canada that brings together charitable representatives with donor advisers in one professional association.
“Island charities work closely with donors to fulfil their charitable dreams so we were pleased to participate in this session to help educate on the different types of gifts that are the most beneficial.”