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Legacy Giving

Leave a Legacy

Leave a Legacy That Opens Doors for Generations to Come

A program participant showing off their newly painted eggs.

A gift in your will to Abilities Centre is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that sport, recreation, and community life remain open and accessible to everyone, long into the future.

No matter your age or stage of life, you can choose to leave a lasting legacy that reflects what you believe in. A more inclusive world. A community where ability is never a barrier. A future where every person has the chance to move, connect, grow, and belong.

We invite you to explore the options below, speak with your loved ones and financial or legal advisor, and reach out to us whenever you are ready. We are here to help guide you every step of the way.

Why Leave a Gift to Abilities Centre?

Abilities Centre is a registered charitable organization dedicated to building more inclusive communities through sport, recreation, arts, and life skills programming. Every year, thousands of people of all ages and abilities walk through our doors and discover what they are capable of.

A gift in your will helps ensure that this work continues, that more families find their community here, that more young athletes discover their potential, and that more people experience the joy and dignity of full participation in community life.

Your legacy will be felt for generations.

Ways to Give

About This Program

Leave a Bequest in Your Will

A bequest is a gift left to a charity through your will. It can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, a particular asset, or the remainder of your estate after other gifts have been made. A bequest is one of the most common and flexible ways to leave a legacy.

Create an Endowment

An endowment is a permanent fund where a portion of the interest earned each year supports Abilities Centre’s work in perpetuity. Your gift becomes a lasting source of support, creating impact year after year, long after your lifetime.

Give Through an RRSP, RRIF, or TFSA

By naming Abilities Centre as a beneficiary of your registered account, you can make a significant gift without affecting your current financial situation. This approach can also reduce your taxable income and ensures your gift is never subject to probate fees.

Leave a Gift of Life Insurance

Gifts of life insurance are a simple and affordable way to create meaningful impact for future generations. You can transfer ownership of an existing policy to Abilities Centre, or purchase a new policy and name us as the beneficiary. Either way, you receive an immediate charitable tax receipt.

Donate Securities

Donating stocks, mutual funds, or publicly traded securities directly to Abilities Centre means you will not pay capital gains tax, and you will receive a charitable tax receipt for the full fair market value of your gift. It is a financially smart way to give generously.

Information for Your Will

Our Legal Name When working with your lawyer or notary, it is important to use our full and correct legal name in your bequest language.
  • Legal name: Abilities Centre Durham
  • Registered Charity Number: #88981 9116 RR0001
  • Address: 1 Jim Flaherty Street, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 0J2

Legacy Giving FAQ

Thinking about including Abilities Centre in your will? We are honoured, and we want to make the process as simple and clear as possible. Below you will find answers to the most common questions about legacy giving. If you do not see what you are looking for, please reach out directly. We are always happy to talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a gift in my will to Abilities Centre?

Making a gift in your will is simpler than most people expect. Reach out to Zed Pickering, Director of Partnerships and Revenue at zpickering@abilitiescentre.org to learn more about the different ways you can create a meaningful legacy gift. We can walk you through the options and help you find the approach that works best for you and your family.

What information do I need to include Abilities Centre in my will?

When working with your lawyer or notary, please provide the following details:

  1. Legal name: Abilities Centre Durham
  2. Registered Charity Number: #88981 9116 RR0001
  3. Address: 1 Jim Flaherty Street, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 0J2

Once everything is in place, we would love to hear from you so we can thank you personally.

Can you provide sample bequest wording?

Absolutely. Here are a few sample clauses you may wish to share with your lawyer or notary:
If you would like to leave a percentage of your estate:
“I deliver, pay, or transfer _____% of the residue of my estate to Abilities Centre Durham, a registered charitable organization.”

If you would like to leave a specific dollar amount:
“I deliver, pay, or transfer the sum of _____ dollars ($) to Abilities Centre Durham, a registered charitable organization.”

If you would like to direct your gift to a specific program or purpose:
“It is my preference that this gift be used for _____________________.”

Not sure which wording is right for you? Contact us and we will be happy to help.

I am the executor of an estate that names Abilities Centre as a beneficiary. Who should I contact?

Please reach out to us at zpickering@abilitiescentre.org and our team will provide guidance and support throughout the process. We are here to make things as straightforward as possible.

I have already arranged a gift in my will to Abilities Centre. What should I do now?

Thank you. That means more to us than we can express. We would love the opportunity to thank you personally and keep you connected to the impact your legacy will create. Please reach out to Zed Pickering, Director of Partnerships and Revenue at zpickering@abilitiescentre.org or to let us know.

Do I need a lawyer to set up a gift in my will?

Not necessarily. We would be happy to help you understand your options and determine the best approach for your situation. Contact Zed Pickering, Director of Partnerships and Revenue at zpickering@abilitiescentre.org or to get the conversation started, and we can help guide you from there.

What if I want to change or cancel my gift later?

You can update your will at any time through your lawyer, or by creating a codicil, which is a legal document that lets you make changes to your existing will without rewriting it entirely. Your wishes are always your own, and we fully respect that circumstances change. If you have questions about this process, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Do I have to leave a large amount to make a difference?

Not at all. A gift of any size makes a real and lasting impact. When you leave a gift in your will to Abilities Centre, you are helping ensure that people of all abilities in our community continue to have access to sport, recreation, arts, and life skills programming for generations to come. Every dollar contributes to that future.

Can I choose which programs or areas my gift supports?

Yes. We are committed to directing your gift according to your wishes, whether you want to support a specific program, a particular community, or the work of Abilities Centre as a whole. You can also choose to make an unrestricted gift, which allows us to direct the funds where they are needed most. We are happy to discuss what matters most to you.

What is an endowment and how does it work?

An endowment is a permanent fund where a portion of the interest earned each year supports Abilities Centre’s programs in perpetuity. Rather than being spent in a single year, your gift becomes a lasting source of support that creates impact year after year, long into the future. You can establish an endowment during your lifetime or through a gift in your will. Contact us to learn more.

What other ways can I leave a gift to Abilities Centre?

There are several meaningful ways to create a legacy gift, including:

  • A bequest in your will (a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue)
  • An endowment for lasting, generational impact
  • A gift of life insurance (by naming Abilities Centre as a beneficiary or transferring an existing policy)
  • A gift of securities such as stocks, mutual funds, or traded assets
  • Naming Abilities Centre as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF, or TFSA

A Note on Professional Advice

The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional legal or financial planning advice. We encourage all donors who are planning a significant gift to seek independent legal and financial guidance. We are here to complement that process, not replace it.

Thank You

Abilities Centre exists because of the generosity of people who believe that everyone deserves to move, connect, grow, and belong. By remembering Abilities Centre in your will, you are helping to ensure that future generations in our community have access to the sport, recreation, arts, and life skills programming that changes lives every single day.

Your legacy matters. Thank you for considering it.

Need Assistance?

We Are Here to Help

You do not have to figure this out alone. Our team is happy to answer your questions, share more about how your gift will be used, and help you understand the options available to you.

We encourage you to speak with your loved ones and your financial or legal advisor, and we are here to support that conversation however we can.

Once your gift is in place, we would love to hear from you. Letting us know about your planned gift allows us to say thank you and to keep you connected to the impact your legacy will create.