For professional advisors

As you are aware, there are many opportunities to reduce taxes, increase current income and create a meaningful family legacy. We’re here to support by providing customized clause language for wills or tax-effective charitable gift options.

You can consult directly with us to have a custom clause prepared for you or have your client’s legal advisor call to discuss their plans in confidence.

Consider how your client would like their gift utilized at SFU:

Unrestricted gifts support an area of greatest promise or need.
Restricted gifts go to a specific area or purpose.
Expendable gifts are spent and used in their entirety over a designated period of time.
Endowed gifts last in perpetuity.

Here are a few examples of the types of clauses to discuss with your client:

Specific gift clauses are used when your client would like SFU to receive a certain asset or dollar amount, or perhaps a set percentage of their estate.
Residual gift clauses are used when your client would like SFU to receive a portion of their estate after all specific gifts have been made.
Trust remainder clauses direct your client’s estate trustee to set up an income fund for your client’s spouse and/or children but when they no longer need the income, whatever is left over will be given to SFU.
Contingency clauses describe a gift for SFU that will only happen if someone who is named in your client’s will dies before they do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to questions that your clients may have.

When I make a gift in my will to SFU, what are my options?

There are several choices.

Specific bequest: Many donors prefer this option because they can simply leave a specific dollar amount or a stated percent of an estate which can go up and down with the value of the estate. Another option is a gift of property (collections, art, real estate, etc.).
Residual bequest: After other specific gifts have been made, it is a percentage of your estate.
Contingent bequest: It gives a stated share of your estate 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. After the death of the surviving beneficiaries, or a specified time, all or part of the remaining principal will pass to SFU.

Can I make a donation of appreciated securities through my estate?

Absolutely. Donating appreciated securities is simple, cost-effective and the most tax efficient way to make a charitable gift.

Your capital gains income on securities donated to charity are non-taxable. So, you receive a tax credit for the entire donation amount. Your charitable tax receipt is equal to the mid-point trading value or closing value of your securities, whichever is higher, on the date SFU receives the securities.

The proceeds from your gift are directed to the area of your interest. And you can deduct the entire gift in the current year or carry tax credits forward for up to five years.

Will my estate be eligible for a tax receipt?

For many Canadians, the largest tax bill you will ever pay is in your estate. Capital gains taxes, deemed withdrawal of RRSPs and probate can end up resulting in a large unforeseen tax bill. But with good planning, there are simple ways to reduce the amount of tax owed in your estate. In the year of death and the previous year, a donor may be able to claim a credit for donations up to 100% of their net income.

I would like to leave a gift to SFU’s greatest area of need. What should I write in my Will?

A gift to the area of greatest need provides for the university’s future by ensuring we can direct the gift to where it will have the most impact. The below example is just one sample and may not be the best fit for every gift. The SFU Gift & Estate Planning Team are not legal Will drafters and this is not meant to replace legal advice. Please contact our office if you have any questions.

“I direct my Executor [to pay a fixed $ amount] or [to transfer X portion of the residue of my estate or the entire residue of my estate] to Simon Fraser University to be for its general charitable purposes as the University determines in its sole discretion. My Executor may allocate, in his or her discretion, in satisfaction of such gift, real or personal property, including without limitation, publicly traded shares or other securities owned by me on my death.”

Can I make a gift of Securities or Stocks?

Yes! Donating appreciated securities is simple, cost-effective and the most tax-efficient way to make a charitable gift.

You can make a charitable gift of securities, such as shares of the capital stock of a corporation, units of mutual fund trust, exchange traded funds (ETFs), government savings bond, corporation bonds, shares, warrants and futures that are listed on a designated stock exchange.

Visit our Securities & Stocks page

Legal name: Simon Fraser University
Address: 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
Charitable business no. #118520725 RR0001

SFU Advancement