A bequest in your will is a wonderful and simple way to make a charitable gift that will help ensure the Ontario SPCA's important work of saving and protecting animals is carried on.
If you are interested in making a charitable bequest, consult your lawyer to notify them of your wish to leave a gift to the Ontario SPCA. Your bequest may be in any form, such as a sum of money, an asset, or an investment.
Let us thank you
If you've named the Ontario SPCA in your will please let us know - we'd
love to thank you for your kindness and generosity.
How it works
If you wish to change your current will to include a gift to the Ontario SPCA, you can request your lawyer to prepare a codicil. A codicil is a signed and witnessed document that adds a new gift, or changes or eliminates a provision in your will. It appendages your current will and prevents the need to redraft the entire document. A Codicil Letter of Direction form can be sent to your lawyer to request that a gift to the Ontario SPCA be added to your current will. As another alternative, you or your lawyer can request an Ontario SPCA Letter of Direction form and the Ontario SPCA will send it to your lawyer to help complete the task.
If you do not have a will you may request our Estate Planning Kit.
Sample wording to make a general bequest in support of the Ontario SPCA is:
THE ONTARIO SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS located at 16586 Woodbine Ave., RR3, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1, is to receive the sum of $__________, or __________ (asset), or ____% of my Estate, to be used for its general purposes.
Types of bequests you can consider
There are six ways you can make a bequest that you may wish to discuss with your lawyer as you consider making - or updating - your will.
1. Residual bequest. This gift allows you to give a percentage value from your estate.
2. Specific bequest. This gift allows you to give a fixed dollar value.
3. Contingent bequest. This gift allows you to make a bequest on condition that a certain event must occur before distribution to the beneficiary. For example, you may want to name a secondary beneficiary lest the primary beneficiary fails to survive you.
Special considerations if you plan a charitable bequest to help support the Ontario SPCA include marking your bequest as an:
Unrestricted bequest: This type of gift allows your gift to be directed towards the area of greatest need.
Restricted bequest: This type of gift allows you to specify how the funds will be used. Discuss your plans with the Ontario SPCA to see how your wishes can best be carried out.
Endowment Fund bequest: Designating your bequest to an Endowment Fund allows you to provide a gift that lasts forever. The original funds you donate are permanently invested and only the income is used for the Ontario SPCA's lifesaving work. You can honour your family, a special person or a pet that you love with a personally named Fund, or choose a designated Fund to support a specific purpose close to your heart. To learn more, click here.
How to make a Charitable Bequest
For more information about making a Charitable Bequest, please contact: 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) or donate@ospca.on.ca. Thank you for considering making this special commitment.
Note: A will should be made in consultation with your lawyer.
The Ontario SPCA's full legal name is "Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," and our charitable registration number is 889691044RR0002. If you would like to designate your gift to a specific Ontario SPCA Branch, please list the charitable registration number above and specify the Branch.
