TORONTO, December 1,
2009 – The majority of Canadian boomers plan to
increase or maintain their level of charitable giving in the next
five years, according to a report from the BMO Retirement Institute.
According to a Statistics Canada report recently released figures
show a 5.3 per cent decline in donations in 2007. Despite economic
downturn or upturn, how can Canadians keep support for charities?
Marvi Ricker, VP and Managing Director, Philanthropic Services, BMO
Harris Private Banking and Tina Di Vito, Director, Retirement Strategies,
BMO Financial Group can provide insight on a new report entitled The
Evolution of Giving: From charity to philanthropy, plus other topics.
Go to www.bmo.com/RetirementInstitute for the full report.
Do you want to know if:
Is Cash King or are Stock Options Better?
In an effort to increase charitable donations, recent federal budgets
have fully eliminated the capital gains tax on donations of publicly
traded securities to a registered charity. Qualified securities include
shares, bonds and mutual funds listed on a prescribed stock exchange.
What are the advantages of donating securities and what is the smartest
strategy for Canadians?
For example, donating $100 dollars in stocks ensures the charity receives
the $100 and you will only pay the 25 per cent inclusion rate on capital
gains. Versus, if you were to consider cashing that stock, then you would
pay 50 per cent inclusion rate on the capital gains.
Where There
is a Will, There is a Way - But is giving now more beneficial tax-wise?
While it is wonderful to see charitable gifts at work, receiving tax
benefits is important as well. Giving during a lifetime and giving upon
death, for example, have different tax implications and benefits. What
are key considerations?
How Much? What are some philanthropic etiquette guidelines?
Is 1 per cent of your income a good solution? How much should you be
giving? What are some of the considerations, including your income
bracket and your personal/family situation?
For example, individuals making in the $100,000 range, tend to give
1-2 per cent of income. For individuals making $1 million and over, they
may give between 10-20 per cent.
A Family
Affair - How to make your children mini-philanthropists?
Recent report shows that more than four out of five boomers cite charitable
giving as a rewarding and educational family experience, but only 15
per cent involve their children in the decision making process. How
to include your children in the giving?
BMO's podcast features
Tina Di Vito and Marvi Ricker discussing findings from the Institute
report, along with examples of how some Canadian
families approach charitable giving: http://www4.bmo.com/vgn/images/podcasts/en/?RYW20
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