2010-12-31 - Charity Focus

endowment FUNDS
CONTINUE TO GROW
The Foundation has a different face to each of our donors. We find that their gifts support a
particular cause or fund or is given in honour or memory of an individual. Our role is to work with
donors to ensure that their charitable intent is achieved through their gift. Thank you to those who
chose to leave their legacy to the community through the Niagara Community Foundation.
There are many ways to make a gift to the foundation including cash, bequests, insurance policies,
securities or property. However, with increasing demands for support, it is important to take
the time to determine how to make “the best gift”, a gift that provides maximum benefit to the
community that is within one’s capacity to give. In order to determine how to make “the best gift”
consider these factors:
• Financial circumstances (i.e. financial resources and obligations)
• Personal circumstances
• Philanthropic objectives, such as:
• Interest in a particular field of interest
(i.e. arts, education, children and youth, seniors, the environment);
• Provision of immediate or ongoing support;
• Assurance of wise investment of your gift (regarding both investments and grants).
We strongly advise that you speak with your lawyer, accountant or estate planner to determine the
best way to make a gift that maximizes your tax and estate goals. We also suggest that you speak to
your family should you decide to leave a bequest. The foundation provides a variety of endowment
fund options for donors to consider. Funds can be created during your lifetime or through your
estate. Donations to create named funds can be gifted over a ten-year period and can be paid in
monthly installments. As you imagine the possibilities for leaving your legacy, read through the
options available to our donors. The foundation staff would be pleased to meet with you to help
explore how best to fulfill your charitable intentions.
22 Niagara Community Foundation 2010 Annual Report | helping good people do great things in their community