Your lasting gift A World of Children's Smiles
Many Canadians are choosing to leave gifts in their wills.
These donors are not all rich or famous. They often have loved ones whose needs come first. After loved ones have been taken care of, these warmhearted people discover they have the ability to make a powerful, permanent impact on the world, one that reflects their most cherished values.
A gift to Operation Smile Canada in your will or estate plans is a miracle for children born with cleft conditions and other facial differences in the low- and middle-income countries where we work. You provide them with life-saving surgeries performed by volunteer medical professionals who treat every child like their own.
Your gift forever transforms the lives of future generations of young people, and it costs you nothing today.
I would like more information about leaving a gift in my will.
Our Promises to You
Honour
We promise to dutifully honour your wishes for your lasting gift.
Care
We promise to treat you with the utmost level of care and respect.
Gratitude
We promise to always be thankful to you and let the children and families you help express their gratitude, too.
You can make your lasting gift in smart, flexible ways that maximize your tax and estate planning benefits. In fact, Canada has the world’s most generous tax system for charitable giving. Here are a few popular choices along with some of their benefits to you:
Placing a Gift in Your Will
Benefits to you: It’s very easy to do with the help of your legal advisor, you can change it at any time, it won’t affect your savings today and it may considerably reduce your estate taxes. Including a gift to charity in your will is also known as a charitable bequest. You may choose to leave a dollar amount (specific bequest) or a percentage of your estate (residual bequest). When creating or updating your will, we strongly encourage you to speak with a legal advisor.
Donating Life Insurance
Benefits to you: It’s cost-effective, reduces your taxes, and ensures that your charitable wishes are carried out. A gift of a new or existing life insurance policy, with Operation Smile Canada listed as beneficiary or owner, is a lesser known but highly flexible way to support Operation Smile Canada and change children’s lives forever.
Designating an RRSP, RRIF or TFSA to Charity
Benefits to you: Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the full value of your gift on passing, you earn substantial tax credits that can reduce your estate’s tax liability and you retain full use of your funds during your lifetime. Naming a registered charity like Operation Smile Canada as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF or TFSA is a tried and true way of having an enduring impact on the world. The tax credits your estate will receive will reduce and can even completely offset the income taxes your estate has to pay.
Donating Securities
Benefits to you: By directly donating marketable securities to a registered charity like Operation Smile Canada you avoid paying capital gains taxes and receive a donation receipt for their full value. It is better to donate the actual shares rather than selling them and donating the cash amount.
Stories of Caring Donors
“My wife and I recently made a commitment to include Operation Smile as a beneficiary of my retirement plan. We know that our bequest will help make a positive and life-changing impact on hundreds of children around the world.”
— Kevin M.
“I’ve chosen to leave a gift to Operation Smile in my will because I feel it’s so very important to help children born with facial deformities.”
— Molly-Jean S.
Forever Thankful for your Forever Gift
The Forever Smiles Club celebrates our donors who’ve committed to making a lasting gift, such as remembering Operation Smile Canada in their will. We are deeply grateful to you for your kindness and generosity. When you’re a Forever Smiles Club member, we honour your promise by providing you with:
- A warm welcome package
- An exclusive lapel pin
- A signed certificate
- Special updates about the children and families our work is helping
- Invitations to special events
If you have already included Operation Smile Canada in your will, retirement account or life insurance policy, let us know. Fill out the form above or call Paige Melvin at (647) 952-8081 or -1-844-376-4530 Ext: 124 so that we can express our gratitude and welcome you to the Forever Smiles Club.
The language is simple
If you intend to leave a gift to Operation Smile Canada in your will, thank you. Please include this information to make sure your wishes are clear:
Operation Smile Canada Foundation
375 University Avenue, Suite 204
Toronto, ON M5G 2J5
CRA Charity Registration Number:
84064 3605 RR0001
Talk to a professional advisor
We strongly recommend that you consult with a professional advisor (such as a financial planner, lawyer, banker or accountant) when considering a lasting gift. Together, we can help you realize your wish to support the work of Operation Smile Canada.
We’re here to help
Paige Melvin
Philanthropy Associate
Phone: 647-952-8081
Toll-free: 1-844-376-4530 Ext. 124
204 – 375 University Ave.,
Toronto ON M5G 2J5