You have many options when it comes to giving to AU, each as individual as you and your interests. Whatever the size, timing and frequency of your gift, it will help to support students, teachers and researchers, who collectively create one of the most dynamic adult learning and research environments in Canada.
For many of these giving options, we encourage you to talk to your family and your professional financial and estate advisors to create a plan that reflects your wishes.
Whatever your choice, you will receive a charitable donation tax receipt for any gift over $10.
If you have any questions, we can help. Please e-mail Development and External Relations or phone 403-294-7322 or 1-800-788-9041, ext. 7322, (toll-free) to speak with one of our development professionals.
A gift made by cash, credit card, cheque, money order or automatic bank withdrawal, as either a one-time donation or on a regular monthly payment schedule, can support one of AU’s top funding priorities or be directed to another area of interest. Monthly donations are especially valuable because they provide a steady stream of income that provides support throughout the year.
You can realize significant tax savings when you give publicly traded securities — stocks, bonds and mutual fund or trust units — directly to AU. There is no need to sell them first. When you donate securities that have appreciated in value, you pay no capital gains tax. When you donate securities that have depreciated, you can still claim a capital loss. And you receive a charitable donation receipt from AU. Gifts of securities can be a particularly effective way to make a significant gift to AU at a minimal cost. One of our development professionals would be pleased to discuss the options with you.
You may have works of art, rare books, property, high-tech lab equipment or other items that may be invaluable to AU students, faculty and researchers. If you wish to continue using the property and plan to give it to AU in the future, you can also consider a residual interest gift. All gifts-in-kind must be approved by the receiving faculty or department, so it is important that you discuss your plans with us prior to making your donation. Charitable donation tax receipts for gifts-in-kind are based on assessed market value of the items you give.
Through a bequest in your will, you can support people and causes that you care about and create a legacy that will live on for generations. Your bequest may be large or small, restricted or unrestricted, and it can be in the form of cash, securities, real estate or other property, or a percentage of the residue of your estate. Your bequest should be prepared in consultation with your family and your lawyer and discussed with Tara Friesen, Manager, Alumni Relations and Philanthropy, at AU to ensure it has the lasting impact you wish to achieve.
Through a charitable gift annuity, you can give a gift, save taxes and increase your income. If you are 65 or older, wish to create a legacy at AU and still need the income from your assets, you can incorporate a charitable gift annuity into your estate plan. You can ensure a guaranteed stream of income for the rest of your life while also making a difference at AU. We would be pleased to discuss this option and how it can work for you.
A charitable remainder trust enables you to make an irrevocable gift to AU now and continue to benefit from the asset given throughout your lifetime. If you have assets such as cash, securities or real estate and wish to give them to AU, but need the income they provide, you can make a gift now, receive immediate tax benefits and continue to receive income for as long as you or you and your spouse live, or for a specified number of years. Placing the asset in trust frees you from management responsibility and removes the property from your estate, guaranteeing your privacy. We would be pleased to discuss how it can work for you.
You can preserve your estate for your family and also give a significant, lasting gift with minimal outlay of current savings or income. A life insurance policy given to AU is a deferred gift, and the proceeds from a commitment you make now will be realized by AU sometime in the future. One of our development professionals would be happy to talk to you about a gift of life insurance, and how it can work for you and your family.
Gifts of real estate, books, art, special collections or other property can be invaluable to AU students, faculty and researchers. A gift of residual interest enables you to give property to AU now and continue to use it throughout your lifetime. The terms of the gift and the responsibilities for expenses will be specified in a deed of agreement prepared by a lawyer. (If the item you are giving to the university has increased in value since you acquired it, you may incur a taxable capital gain; however, the tax owing likely will be offset by a charitable donation receipt from AU. This does not apply to real estate that is your primary residence.) All residual interest gifts must be approved by the receiving faculty or department, so it is important that you discuss your plans with us. Charitable donation receipts for residual gifts are based on assessed market value of the residual interest in the property at the time that the residual interest vests in the charity.
You can name AU as a direct beneficiary of your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or registered retirement income fund (RRIF). While your estate will be responsible for satisfying the income tax liabilities arising upon your death (which will be offset by a tax credit), the designated proceeds of your estate can flow directly to AU, potentially protecting the gift from the claims of creditors, other estate beneficiaries, probate and other estate costs. Please contact us to discuss the steps to take to make this kind of gift.