The Right Tool for the Job

Mature couple smile at camera standing outside in winter.

Fred and Marcie worked hard to balance family, careers, and a variety of commitments in their community. Life was busy, but they had finally made it to that phase people often call “comfortable”. They used this little bump in financial freedom to increase support for their church, as well as giving to a number of…

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Generosity and Wise Financial Stewardship

Generosity and Wise Financial Stewardship

A Surprising Discovery  Alice* stood in the doorway of the farmhouse she and her husband Henry had occupied for over 40 years. Cleaning out the clutter accumulated over decades of ownership was a daunting task. However, with Henry’s passing, she had decided to move. Now, imagine her surprise when, amongst the possessions and papers, she…

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Donate Now, Disburse Later

Donate Now, Disburse Later

Are you facing additional or unusual taxable income? Consider a Generosity Plan™ to help you make a strategic donation now and support your favourite charities for years to come. John* was nearing retirement when an economic downturn forced his company to make some tough decisions. The severance package he received provided more than he needed…

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Seasons of Generosity

Bob and Anita's Generosity Story

Generosity happens in every season of life, but the amount of time, money, or energy we can give will certainly vary. “We are called to give whichever one [time, money, energy] we have in abundance,” explains Bob Tiessen, a life-long practitioner of generous giving. Establishing Generosity: The Early Years of Giving As children growing up…

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Tell 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…

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Why 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…

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The 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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Making a Difference with a Gift of Life Insurance

The United Nations Women recently warned that alongside the Covid-19 pandemic, women around the world have suffered a “shadow pandemic” of domestic violence. This is no surprise to Abundance Canada client Christine Kampen, whose early career experience counselling women at a sexual assault centre in Saskatoon and at a transition house for battered women in Abbotsford brought her face…

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The Benefits of a Gift of Life Insurance (Part 2)

The Benefits of a Gift of Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance can be an effective way to support charity. If you need the charitable receipt in your estate and not during your lifetime, you might choose to retain ownership of the life insurance policy and name a charity as the beneficiary.  Naming a Charity as the Beneficiary of a Life Insurance Policy  When you name a charity as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, you remain the policy owner. …

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