On October 7, 2026, we had the privilege of presenting to donors of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation on a subject that sits at the centre of our work: how estate planning and charitable giving fit together. Thank you to Robert Hamanishi of the KGH Foundation's community engagement team for the invitation and for the care he put into organizing the event.
The room was made up of people who already give to regional health care. Our goal was to show how thoughtful planning can help a donor's generosity go further, both during their lifetime and through their estate.
Why Charitable Giving Should be Considered in Your Estate Plan
Many families in Kelowna support causes they care about through annual donations. Far fewer have written those intentions into their estate plan. When charitable goals are treated as part of the plan, rather than a separate decision made each year, they can be coordinated with retirement income, tax planning, and what eventually passes to family.
Our planning process follows a simple principle: diagnose before prescribing. A giving strategy should come out of a comprehensive, written financial plan, not the other way around. The right approach for a retired business owner with a concentrated investment portfolio will look very different from the right approach for a couple who wants to leave a legacy gift after both of them have passed.
Charitable Giving Strategies We Discussed
Gifts in Your Will
A gift in your will allows you to support a charity (such as the KGH Foundation) without reducing the income or assets you rely on today. Depending on how the will and estate are structured, the resulting donation tax credit may be used to reduce taxes owing at death. Because the wording and structure matter, this is an area where we work closely with a client's estate lawyer.
Donating Publicly Listed Securities
For donors with investments that have grown in value, donating publicly listed securities directly to a registered charity can be more tax-efficient than selling the investment and donating the cash. Under current Canadian tax rules, a donation of eligible securities in kind generally eliminates the tax on the capital gain, and the donor receives a tax receipt for the fair market value of the gift.
Donor-Advised Funds
A donor-advised fund allows you to make a contribution, receive a tax receipt in the year of the contribution, and recommend grants to registered charities over time. For families who want a structured, multi-year giving plan, or who want to involve the next generation in their charitable decisions, it can be a practical tool.
Coordination Is Where Good Intentions Become Good Plans
Each of these strategies touches more than one professional. A gift in a will involves your lawyer. A gift of securities involves your accountant and the timing of your tax return. A donor-advised fund involves your investment and cash flow planning. Our role is to coordinate across all of those relationships so that your charitable goals, your tax position, and your family's inheritance are working from the same plan.
Estate planning is a core focus of our practice. In 2025 alone, we held 158 estate-focused client meetings covering wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, trusts, and charitable intentions.
Learn More About Giving to the KGH Foundation
The KGH Foundation supports equipment, training, and specialized care at Kelowna General Hospital and across the Southern Interior. If you would like to explore the giving options available, including gifts of securities, gifts in your will, endowments, and monthly giving, visit the KGH Foundation's Ways to Give page.
Planning Your Charitable Legacy
If you are thinking about how charitable giving fits into your estate plan, we would welcome a conversation. Every plan we build begins with understanding your goals, your family, and what you want your wealth to accomplish.
Book a call with us at www.karenandkayla.com.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules are subject to change and their application depends on individual circumstances. Please consult your tax and legal professionals before making any charitable or estate planning decisions.
Use as a general source of information only, believed to be accurate as of the date of publishing. Not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, or to provide tax, legal or investment advice. Seek advice on up to date withholding rules and rates and on your specific circumstances. Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management and IG Private Wealth Management are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. The IG Wealth Management Charitable Giving Program is offered together with the Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation, which operates independently from IG Wealth Management. Donations are irrevocable and vest with the Foundation. This information is general in nature and not intended to be professional tax advice. Please read the Program Guide for complete details, including fees and expenses.
