The most common types of bequests are: 

• Residual bequest: SFU receives a portion of the remainder of your estate after other specific gifts have been made. 
• Specific bequest: SFU receives a specific dollar amount or stated fraction of your estate or a specified gift of property (collections, art, books, real estate, etc.)
• A percentage (or share) charitable bequest: A gift in a will that designates a specific portion of an estate—such as 5%, 10%, half, or more—to be given to a charity. Unlike a fixed dollar amount, this type of bequest adjusts with the size of the estate, offering flexibility and helping ensure that both loved ones and charitable causes receive a fair share.
• Contingent bequest: SFU would receive a stated share of your estate, but only in the event of the prior death of other named beneficiaries. 
• Trust remainder bequest: Named beneficiaries receive income from a trust established in the will. Upon death of the surviving beneficiaries, or at the end of the specified term, all or part of the remaining principal will pass to SFU.  

Whether you're considering a major revision of your current will or you're about to have a will drafted for the first time, making a bequest to SFU is easy to do. We're here to answer your questions and provide expert guidance at every step.
 
Have you already included SFU in your estate plans? Your commitment is sincerely valued, and we want to make sure our information regarding your estate plans is up-to-date and your preferences for recognition are honoured.

Four options, four benefits

1. Name SFU as a beneficiary of your insurance policy: Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the value of the policy, which will offset income taxes due to your estate. 
2. Donate a paid-up policy designating SFU as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary: This will trigger a tax receipt from SFU for the cash surrender value at the time it is transferred.
3. Purchase a policy designating SFU as owner and beneficiary: All premium payments can then be claimed as a charitable donation on your tax return.
4. Donate ownership of an existing policy and name SFU as a beneficiary: SFU will give a tax receipt for the cash surrender value of the policy, and annual donation receipts will be generated for the value of your premium payments. 

Some gifts involving life insurance require pre-approval by the university and others do not. Please connect with us for more information.

Three options, three benefits:

1. Name charitable organizations like SFU as final beneficiaries of your RRSP, RRIF or TFSA: this can eliminate deferred taxes on your funds completely, and leave more money for your loved ones by keeping these assets out of probate.
   • Note: If you choose to name SFU as a direct beneficiary, contact your RRSP/RRIF/TFSA sponsor (your bank, investment trust, or insurance company) to determine if a change of beneficiary form needs to be completed.
2. Withdraw extra funds from an RRIF or capital from an RRSP or TFSA and donate the same amount: You'll receive a tax receipt offsetting the income tax payable on the withdrawal.
3. Use the RRIF withdrawal to pay a premium on a charitable life insurance policy that will leverage your payments for a significant future gift to SFU: Name SFU as the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy, and you'll receive a tax receipt offsetting the taxes due on your RRIF withdrawals.

Benefits to you:

• Capital gains income on securities that have been donated to charity are non-taxable - the entire donation amount results in a tax credit.
• Straightforward and easy to transfer: your broker can usually execute a transfer in one or two days.
• Your charitable tax receipt is equal to the mid-point trading value or closing value of your securities, whichever is higher, on the date the securities are received by SFU.
• The proceeds from your securities are directed to the area of your interest.

You can deduct the entire gift in the current year or carry taxes credits forward for up to five years.

*assumes approximate tax rate of 50% in B.C. and charitable gifts over $200.

Interested in gifting securities? Visit our Securities & Stocks page for details.

Normally, when stock options are exercised for personal gain, the difference between the stock's fair market value and its exercise price is considered a taxable employment benefit. This benefit is then taxed as a capital gain, such that 50% of the profit is counted as income; employers must withhold the required taxes on that amount, including EI and CPP.

However, charitable gifts arranged by donating stock options can result in a high value gift at low cost. 

Benefits to you:

• Reduced cost of giving
• Simple transaction
• Maximized tax benefits

Interested in gifting securities? Visit our Securities & Stocks page for details.

The option to make a gift of real property is a chance to make a significant impact at SFU, as well as avoid paying taxes on gains when selling vacation homes and investment properties.

You can transfer ownership of your property (real estate, works of art, personal collections etc.) as a donation to SFU, and receive a fair market value receipt for tax purposes now or to be used in your estate planning.  Additionally, gifts of residual interest may be considered in which you may retain the use of the property during your lifetime.

Benefits to you:

• Immediate tax savings
• Continued use of your property for your lifetime
• Satisfaction of knowing SFU will benefit from your gift in the future
• Your gift passes to the university outside of the estate process, thus reducing your estate probate taxes