Legacy giving is a significant gift, beyond your annual support, made either during your lifetime or at death as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. Your gift to the Pembina Institute will make a significant impact, today and tomorrow. 

You can make a gift of cash, securities, or other property (e.g. life insurance, retirement income funds). 

Planning your giving can have significant financial incentives during your lifetime, and may minimize the tax impact on your estate. We always recommend that you discuss the tax implications and other details of making your gift with your financial advisor and insurance provider to find the option that works best for you.

If legacy giving isn’t for you, please see our Donate page for one-time/monthly giving options.

How to give different types of gifts

How do I donate securities as part of my estate?

To donate publicly traded securities as part of your estate, have your lawyer include instructions for this donation in your will.

  • Your estate will be eligible to claim a donation tax credit for the fair market value of the securities as of the date of the transfer.
  • There is no capital gains tax on the gifted shares in the tax return for the year of death or in the estate.

We always recommend that you discuss the tax implications and other details of making your gift with your financial advisor.

How do I donate the remainder of an RRSP, RRIF or TFSA after death?

To donate the remainder of your RRSP/RRIFs, name the Pembina Institute as a beneficiary to that plan.

  • After your passing, the Pembina Institute will receive the directed portion of your remaining RRSP/RRIFs.
  • Your estate will be eligible to claim a donation tax credit for the amount.
  • The gift will not be subject to probate delay or fees. This can help you preserve the value of your property and enable other assets to be donated to your family through your will.
  • This is a gift that is most appropriate if you are the surviving spouse in a relationship, as the RRSP/RRIFs would otherwise roll over, tax-free, to your spouse.

We always recommend that you discuss the tax implications and other details of making your gift with your financial advisor.

How do I donate life insurance now or as part of my estate?

To donate life insurance now, designate the Pembina Institute as the owner and beneficiary of your life insurance policy.

  • The Pembina Institute will receive the cash surrender value of the policy, plus any accumulated dividends and interest at the time of the transfer.
  • The donation amount is eligible for a donation tax credit.
  • Your future premium payments will also qualify for a donation tax credit.

To donate life insurance as part of your estate, you can designate the Pembina Institute as the beneficiary of your life insurance proceeds, or you can name the Pembina Institute as a beneficiary under your will.

  • The Pembina Institute will receive the tax-free life insurance proceeds upon your death.
  • Your estate will be eligible to claim a donation tax credit for the amount.

Whether you give now or in the future, a gift of life insurance can turn modest premiums into a transformative contribution toward a clean, safe, and prosperous energy future for all Canadians.

We always recommend that you discuss the tax implications and other details of making your gift with your financial advisor and insurance provider.

How do I make a cash bequest in my will?

To make a cash bequest, designate a donation to the Pembina Institute in your will.

  • Your estate will be eligible to claim a donation tax credit for the amount donated.

We always recommend that you discuss the tax implications and other details of making your gift with your financial advisor.

Sample language for bequests

"I give to the Pembina Institute, charitable registration number 87578 7913 RR 0001, currently located at #802, 322 – 11 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta Canada, T2R 0C5  the sum of $XX (or XX% of the residue of my estate), to be used for its general purposes as determined by the Board of Directors.’"

I would rather make a one-time or monthly gift at this time; how do I do that?

Our Donate page provides many options for one-time or monthly giving. We thank you for any contributions you choose to make.

Legacy giving - senior couple with advisor

What are the tax benefits of planned giving?

Gifts to the Pembina Institute are eligible for a charitable tax credit that reduces the amount of tax you pay. Specific tax benefits depend on the type of gift, its timing, your province of residence, and other factors. 

  • You may claim up to 75% of your net income in charitable donations.
  • If you make bequests in your will, your estate can claim donations up to 100% of your net income in the year of death and the year immediately preceding death. 

Benefits of some specific types of gifts are discussed further in the sections above. 

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Our team

Sabrina Grobler, Jennifer Meneses, Marissa Taylor, Samantha Ward. missing: Delaney Griffiths

donations@pembina.org
403-269-3344

The Pembina Institute
#802, 322 – 11 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB   T2R 0C5