Ways to Donate
There are countless features that make the Islands Trust Area special – abundant wildlife, majestic forests, active shorelines, towering cliffs, fascinating historical sites, rich wetlands, inspiring scenic views – and create a unique and fragile region worth protecting for future generations.
While the operating costs of the Islands Trust Fund are provided by the Islands Trust, the Islands Trust Fund's ability to acquire and preserve significant lands depends solely on contributions received from individuals, businesses and other organizations. Your support is needed to help us to create a legacy of special places.
Tax incentive programs make donating a mutually rewarding experience. Our Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program provides 65% property tax discounts. There is also Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program, providing income tax benefits and 100% exemption from capital gains. In 2006, donations of publicly traded securities also became 100% exempt from capital gains tax.
You can help by:
Donations
A variety of donation options are outlined below. If you have any questions about these opportunities please contact our office. Receipts for tax purposes are provided for all donations. You can direct your financial donation to a particular project or to the Opportunity Fund letting the Islands Trust Fund allocate it to regional conservation projects in most need of funding. 100% of your donation goes directly to land protection - donations are not used to cover day-to-day operating costs.
Outright Gifts of Cash
This is the simplest and most common form of gift. Make your gift today. An official receipt for income tax purposes will be mailed to you within a few weeks.
Additional information is also available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Publicly Traded (Listed) Securities (Including Mutual Funds)
Publicly-traded securities include stocks, bonds and mutual funds that contain stocks listed on approved stock exchanges. They make excellent gifts. They are liquid and are usually easy to value.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Tangible Personal Property
Tangible property includes art works, books, household furnishings, automobiles, equipment and collections. It is useful if the donor can provide a recent appraisal of the value of the property being donated.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Life Insurance (Ownership Transferred to Islands Trust Fund)
When full ownership of a life insurance policy is irrevocably transferred to the Islands Trust Fund and the Islands Trust Fund is also made the designated beneficiary of the policy, the donor receives an immediate donation receipt for the cash value of the donated policy. In addition, the donor will also receive annual donation receipts for the premiums that he or she pays after the transfer to keep the policy in force.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Life Insurance Proceeds (Islands Trust Fund Named as Registered Beneficiary, but not Owner)
Individuals may name the Islands Trust Fund as beneficiary of personal or group life insurance. Upon death, the insurance company will pay the death proceeds directly to the Islands Trust Fund. The Islands Trust Fund will issue a tax receipt to the donor's estate for the value of the policy proceeds.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Commemorative Gifts
People who wish to honour other people or commemorate life's milestones can make a donation in lieu of gifts or flowers. These milestones include weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and the passing of a loved one or friend (in memoriam gift). These simple gifts, when added together, can result in significant support. A card will be sent to the appropriate person as per your wishes.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Land
Please see the related section on land donations on this website.
Gifts of Residual Interest (also known as Life Estate)
A residual interest gift is an arrangement where a donor irrevocably gives real estate to the Islands Trust Fund while retaining the right to use the property for life or for an additional number of years as determined by the donor.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Gifts of Retirement Funds (RRSP, RRIF) Upon Death
A donor may give all or part of his or her RRSP or RRIF to charity upon death. This may be accomplished by direct designation outside the donor's estate or through the estate via the will.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Donations Through Your Will
Please consider leaving a natural legacy by naming the Islands Trust Fund (legal name: Trust Fund Board) in your will. You can give the Islands Trust Fund specific items, a portion of the value of your estate, or the residue of your estate. We accept bequests of land and money in support of our conservation efforts.
Our information sheet Leaving a Gift in Your Will to the Islands Trust Fund provides more information.
Additional information is available through the Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for British Columbia.
Protect the Natural Values of Your Island Property
If you have island property you would like to protect, you can donate it as a nature reserve, place a conservation covenant on it, sell it for conservation purposes, or work with the Islands Trust Fund to determine other ways to ensure its long term conservation.
Protecting ecological and natural values by donating conservation covenants and land may result in favourable tax benefits. For more information, please contact our office. We can speak with you about various available options and provide information on submitting a voluntary covenant proposal to the Islands Trust Fund Board.
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