May is Leave a Legacy Month

Anglican Church – partner again this year

May is Leave a Legacy(TM) month and this is the 13th year that we have marked this initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador. I’m delighted to say that the Anglican Church of Canada is a partner in this program which is celebrated all across the country and throughout the United States. The goal is to encourage more people to get a legal will and to leave a bequest in that will for the charity of their choice
Stats Canada suggested that a recent survey reported that almost 23 million Canadians, or 84% of the population aged 15 and over, made a financial donation to a charitable or non-profit organization during the 12-month period covered by the survey. During the same period, 12.5 million Canadians, or 46% of the population, volunteered their time through a group or organization. These rates were largely unchanged from 2004.
The report also claimed that Canadians donated a total of $10 billion in 2007, up from $8.9 billion in 2004. In 2007, the average donation was $437, compared with $400 in 2004. These increases were not adjusted for inflation. Interestingly enough, about 91% of the population aged 15 and over in Newfoundland and Labrador made a financial donation to a charitable or non-profit organization during that time. This was highest among the provinces and territories, and well above the national average of 84%.Note as well that religious organizations (46%) were the biggest beneficiaries of charitable giving. They received more than three times the donations than did the second most popular type of organization - health.

In Newfoundland this year, the Legacy partners will be advertising in the local newspaper and running radio ads on a provincial radio station promoting the idea of gift planning.

We are making progress. I believe strongly that some of that progress is due in no small part to the Leave a Legacy(TM) program.

In the final analysis, planned giving is like planting seeds and therefore a long run proposition. The key is for the Church to get in front of the prospects, stay in front of them and be there when the time to move forward eventually arrives. Those prospects are our faithful parishioners so let’s ensure they understand how leaving a legacy for their church is an expression of their stewardship intentions.

Kevin Smith is a gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be reached at 709 739-5667 or by email at k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca.