Posts by James Burden
Leaving a Legacy: What Does This Look Like?
In the charity world, we talk a lot about legacy. But, what does legacy mean and what does it look like to leave one that is meaningful? Let’s take a closer look at this popular term and what it might look like for you. Legacy by Definition Legacy means different things depending on the context.…
Read MoreGiving in Retirement
Retirement. At twenty, we rarely think about it. At 45, we dream about it. And, at 55 we worry about it. A significant amount of financial planning tends to focus on that time in life when, as the saying goes, we “finally stop working and start living.” But what about our charitable giving? When we…
Read MoreEstablishing a Generous Legacy
By any measure, Syed* had done very well in life. In addition to raising a happy family, he had established a number of successful private business ventures and invested well in real estate and the stock markets. He kept his feet on the ground by focussing on the gratitude he felt for his good fortune,…
Read MoreFollowing my Father’s Plan
Laurie Ball feels a deep sense of responsibility towards charitable giving. Because of her father’s failing health with dementia, she has taken on the responsibility of managing his legacy of generosity alongside her own donations. Managing her father’s financial affairs is a big responsibility for Laurie, but her father prepared her well. In addition to…
Read MoreHomecoming
I grew up with five siblings in a small Saskatchewan farming community. People worked hard, were active in the community, and looked out for their neighbours. If someone needed a hand with something, it was not long before the word went out and help from neighbours was on your doorstep. When someone was sick or…
Read MoreRandom Acts of Generosity
The day’s business had wrapped, and I wasn’t looking forward to eating take-out alone. A weekend of Zoom board meetings had brought me to our Kitchener offices for the weekend (noise and dust renovations had made it impossible to connect from my home office) and I was on my own this evening. Luckily, it turned…
Read MoreTell Your Story with a Legacy Gift
In Part One, I shared the shocking statistic that a majority of Canadians do not have a current legal will. Sadly, many people avoid the task because they are afraid to think about the end of their life. However, taking a proactive approach to estate planning not only ensures your wishes can be followed but…
Read MoreWhy a Will?
Buying the farm. Kicking the bucket. Giving up the ghost. Given the number of colourful euphemisms we use to avoid straight talk about death, it’s no wonder people tend to put off writing their will. Many people assume they don’t need a will if their estate is small and their plans are straightforward. However, as my friend…
Read MoreThe Evolution of Planned Giving
Originally published in Wealth Professional Canada. Issue 8.08, October 2020. Read the interview with Darren Pries-Klassen, CEO and Rick Braun-Janzen, Director of Gift Planning at Abundance Canada on “The Evolution of Planned Giving”.
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