Leaving a Legacy

A Unique Approach to Legacy Giving

Legacy giving through a community foundation provides a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact with flexibility, efficiency, and inclusivity. Rather than naming specific charities in your will, consider giving to or through a community foundation—for yourself, your family, or with the guidance of your advisor.

Your Connection to Community

The Ottawa Community Foundation (OCF), a registered charity, is one of over 200 community foundations across Canada. Since 1987, we have pooled and invested donations from generous people like you, providing over $200 million in grants to a wide range of charitable causes. By sharing insights into community needs, we connect donors with the causes they care most about, working together to build a stronger, more supportive community.

Giving to or Through the OCF

Give Directly

Naming the OCF as a beneficiary in your will is a simple way to support your community. Your donation will give the OCF full discretion to apply your generosity to where it’s needed most. View sample bequest wording for this type of donation.

Start a Donor-Advised Fund

Do you have a specific vision? Our donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer flexibility and and an advisory role. You can strategically align your vision and values to how the fund operates, then name the fund as a beneficiary in your will. If you have set up a fund within the OCF to receive your bequest, click here for sample bequest wording. Here are some benefits of DAFs at the Ottawa Community Foundation:

Flexibility

When naming your DAF as the beneficiary of your will, you don’t have to list specific charities in your will. You (or your successor) can adjust your granting priorities anytime with the OCF without costly changes to legal documents. This approach ensures your charitable intentions remain current and aligned with your values over time.

Efficiency

Naming a DAF as the beneficiary of your estate simplifies the process for executors and trustees. Rather than coordinating donations to multiple charities, they make one distribution to the DAF, which streamlines settlement and ensures your wishes are carried out seamlessly.

Generational Giving

A DAF can help pass the gift of philanthropy to future generations. By naming successors, such as children or grandchildren, they can continue supporting causes they care about, with no administrative burden. It encourages family philanthropy and allows your legacy to endure.

Tax Benefits

Leaving a gift to a DAF through the OCF may provide significant tax benefits. Charitable giving can decrease the taxable portion of your estate, reducing the financial impact on your family. This means a larger share can go to the causes you’re passionate about.

How to Set Up Your Fund

We will work with you to determine the type of fund that matches your needs and interests and the charity(ies) or causes you would like it to support. Your fund can be established in your name, in the name of your family, or in honour of any person or organization you choose. Setting up a fund allows you to direct your bequest without needing to update your will if you change your preferred charities, making it a flexible and efficient estate planning option. Our dedicated team will work with you with every step of your philanthropic journey.

Plan Your Estate and Legacy Gift

With your fund set up at OCF, you and your advisor can plan your legacy gift:

Bequests

To make a bequest to the Ottawa Community Foundation, you can simply include the Foundation in your will. Sample text for doing so is available here. Every bequest to the OCF is eligible for a tax credit for estate tax purposes.

Life Insurance

To make a gift of life insurance to the OCF, you can either name the OCF as beneficiary or make the OCF the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of the policy.

Life insurance donors receive a tax credit for the fair market value of the policy. If the OCF becomes the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of your policy, you will receive an immediate tax credit if it is paid up and if not, you can receive tax credits on premium payments.

Your Fund In Action

Over $200 Million To Community-Building

Since 1987, OCF donors have empowered community-building with over $200 million in grants, supporting everything from helping women fleeing abuse to planting urban forests. Legacy gifts are essential in helping us sustain and grow this impact.

Read our latest Annual Report to see how generosity leads to meaningful change in our community.

For more information, please contact a member of our Philanthropic Services and Community Building team:

Janet Adams, Manager
t: 613-563-7116
e: jadams@ocf-fco.ca

Glennis Lane, Associate
t: 613-563-7122
e: glane@ocf-fco.ca

Grace Xin, Vice-President
t: 613-563-7128
e: gxin@ocf-fco.ca

For more information, please contact a member of our Philanthropic Services and Community Building team:

Janet Adams, Manager
t: 613-563-7116
e: jadams@ocf-fco.ca

Glennis Lane, Associate
t: 613-563-7122
e: glane@ocf-fco.ca

Grace Xin, Vice-President
t: 613-563-7128
e: gxin@ocf-fco.ca

The Ottawa Community Foundation is a partner in Will Power, a national awareness campaign that encourages Canadians to use their Wills as a force for good.

Calculate your Legacy

You can make a big difference with a gift in your Will to charity, while still taking care of those you love. Use our calculator to see your potential impact.

Legacy Calculator