Gifts of Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance can be a simple and meaningful way to create a lasting legacy in the Shuswap. By turning manageable monthly or annual premium payments into a future charitable gift, you can support the people, places, and causes you care about for generations to come.

Through the Shuswap Community Foundation, a single life insurance policy can support one or more charitable priorities, establish a family fund, or create a permanent endowment that continues giving year after year.

1. Transfer Ownership of Your Policy

(Shuswap Community Foundation Owns the Policy)

You transfer ownership of a new or existing life insurance policy to the Shuswap Community Foundation and name the Foundation as the irrevocable beneficiary.

Potential benefits may include:

• Immediate charitable tax receipt.
• Ongoing tax advantages if future premium payments are made, ongoing contributions qualify for charitable tax receipt.
• A lasting community legacy as the insurance proceeds can establish or contribute to an endowment fund that supports charitable causes in the Shuswap for years to come.

2. Name Shuswap Community Foundation as a Beneficiary

(You Retain Ownership of the Policy)

You continue to own and manage your life insurance policy during your lifetime and designate the Shuswap Community Foundation to receive all or a portion of the proceeds.

Potential benefits may include:

• Estate tax advantages, as your estate may receive a charitable tax receipt for the value of the gift.
• Efficient administration, since proceeds paid directly to the Foundation may not form part of the estate for probate purposes (subject to applicable laws and personal circumstances).
• Flexibility and control, allowing you to update beneficiary designations if your circumstances or charitable priorities change.

3. Take out a new policy.

Support What Matters Most

A single planned gift can support multiple charitable organizations, specific areas of interest, or emerging community needs across the Shuswap.

Create an Enduring Legacy

If community priorities shift over time, your fund can continue to make meaningful local impact while staying aligned with your charitable intent.

Flexible Giving Options

Choose a fund structure that reflects your values — whether supporting broad community needs, specific causes such as youth, environment, arts and culture, health and wellness, or creating a family legacy fund.

As with all planned gifts, we encourage you to speak with your financial advisor, insurance professional, and legal advisor to determine the approach that best aligns with your goals and circumstances.