The Royal Canadian Regiment Trust Fund has established an initiative that offers more options to those who would like to continue their support to worthwhile Regimental activities.  The overall value of the Trust has been growing steadily over the past decade, due in large part to a successful investment policy in addition to individual and corporate charitable donations.  The Trust disburses a specific proportion of these funds annually for worthy projects such as support to veterans, soldiers and their families, the publication of Pro Patria, Association activities, enhancements to the museum and other important regimental priorities that receive only limited or no public support.  While the Regiment is on a sound financial footing, additional donations are always needed, and it is important for the Trust to accommodate a wider range of ways for individuals to contribute. 

As most of you are probably aware, planned giving provides options for charitable donations by individuals as part of their estate planning.  It is widely offered by other charities, such as international aid organizations, churches etc.  Trustees would like to highlight two of the more popular options for planned giving: bequests and life insurance.  

The bequest is of course not a new approach; the Regiment has received numerous donations in the past that have been directed in wills.  While bequests can be most easily accommodated when drafting a new will, they can also be added to an existing will using a “codicil”, an addendum that essentially provides supplementary directions to the executor.  A gift to the Regiment could be a specific monetary amount, a piece of property or other assets such as securities, or a percentage of the residue of the estate.  

Some individuals could also find that naming the Trust as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy is an attractive way to donate.   Any donation could be made to support regimental activities in general or could be directed towards any of the specific purposes supported by the Trust. 

A list of funds can be found on the webpage under “The Funds”.

Most Popular Planned Gifts Bequest 

This is by far the most common and popular form of planned giving. It is where a donor places the Trust as one of their beneficiaries in their Will. This can be in the form of a specific amount, a specific piece of property (real or personal), or a percentage of the residue of their Estate (what remains after all other gifts, taxes and expenses have been paid). These gifts can be directed to a specific purpose (restricted) or be at the Trust’s discretion (unrestricted). Within the three action verbs of informing, equipping and managing, the optimum planned gift is a specific amount, unrestricted bequest.

Life Insurance 

This again is a simple form of planned giving in which the donor engages a life insurance policy with the Trust as the beneficiary. There can be several variations on how this benefits the Trust, ranging from donating a fully paid-up policy, to engaging a new policy and gifting an amount annually in the same amount as the premium. The tax benefit to the donor varies depending upon the variation. While this includes some additional complexities the Trust may want to include this in the options they will seek from donors. 

Although this information can assist your planning, depending on individual preferences and circumstances it is recommended that you consult a qualified Financial Advisor or lawyer before completing any Planned Giving Initiative.  

A Will

A plan for our estate after the last Roll Call, provides that our wishes are known and acted upon.  We, therefore, respectively request that you consider a legacy gift to your Regimental Family when completing or updating this important document.

If you are so inclined, you’ll find a simple legal document, called a Codicil, together with instructions, that you can complete and attach to your will.  The Regiment will continue to benefit from your generosity. 

Should you wish to donate to the Trust or any sub-fund therein, you may write to the Treasurer of the Trust for specific instructions or mail your donations directly to the Treasurer at the address below.  You can also contact the Treasurer through the Fund e- mail account at: [email protected]. 

The RCR Trust Fund, 120 Clarence St. PO Box 1954, Kingston ON.  K7L 5J7