Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Planned Gifts are usually arranged now with a donor but received in the future by the charity. Gifts can include a bequest in a will, life insurance policy, or charitable gift annuity, just to name a few. Gifts may also include property such as real estate , securities or works of art.

Anyone can make a planned gift, regardless of age, occupation, or financial means.

When you and the University of Ottawa work together to establish a planned gift, you leave a lasting legacy to improve higher education.

The Office of Planned Giving will be pleased to work with you and your advisors to best meet our mutual philanthropic goals.

A Gift Planner is someone who works with both donors and charities to achieve maximum benefit for each party (the donor and the charity) from a charitable gift.

By far, the simplest planned gift is a charitable gift made through a bequest in your will.

An estate plan is simply any plan for disposition of your estate assets with a second goal of minimizing expenses and taxes. The core of any estate plan is a will.

An important legal document, a will primarily provides a smooth distribution of your assets to selected beneficiaries. It allows you to organize your affairs so your responsibilities are taken care of after your death.

• It helps to maximize available tax, financial and estate benefits.
• It ensures that your personal and financial objectives are met.
• Your property is distributed according to your wishes.
• It enables you to increase your gift potential by looking at other ways of giving.
• You can establish an endowed fund in your name or the name of a loved one.
• It provides a lasting gift to the University of Ottawa.

Deferred gifts are donations that are arranged now for completion at a later date. The two most common examples are bequests and life insurance.

Unrestricted gifts allow the University of Ottawa to use your donation where it believes the need is greatest at the time the gift is realized. They provide the University with the flexibility and the ability to respond to unexpected financial requirements.

While the University is grateful for all future bequests, it is especially appreciative of future donations directed at the area of greatest need, i.e. unrestricted donations. This allows the University the flexibility to fund emerging priorities and future needs. Unrestricted donations can also be designated to specific faculties where they will then be utilized under the respective Dean’s funding priorities. A representative of the Gift Planning Office would be happy to discuss this confidentially with any interested donor.

Designated gifts, as opposed to unrestricted gifts, are donations where an intended purpose is identified by the donor and accepted by the University of Ottawa. The Office of Planned Giving is pleased to work with donors to ensure philanthropic goals are met.

The University of Ottawa’s Charitable Registration Number is 11927 8877 RR0001.

Yes. Although the University of Ottawa frequently recognize the support of donors, we always respect the request for anonymity.