Legacy giving

Invest in future generations with a planned gift

Leave a lasting legacy

The University of Calgary Legacy Society celebrates individuals who have included UCalgary in their estate plans. These contributions, committed today, are earmarked to support student awards and bursaries, innovative teaching and learning initiatives, and life-changing research. They also help secure the future of the institution, as well as fulfil a donor’s wish to make a lasting impact.  

Legacy gift donors are invited to join the Legacy Society and become part of a group of extraordinary visionaries and philanthropists committed to energizing our future and transforming our world — in our lifetime and beyond.

If you wish to ensure your passion and values will continue to live on and inspire future generations to come, explore the giving options below and contact us to learn more.


Charitable Bequests

One of the most common ways people donate to the university is through charitable bequests — naming the university in your will. You can leave your gift unrestricted or choose how it is designated. Perhaps you'd like your gift to be used for one specific purpose or to create an endowment. A bequest can include everything from a gift of cash, publicly listed securities, a portion of your residual estate, real estate, art, books or jewelry. By naming the University of Calgary to receive a gift in your will, your estate will generate tax credits that may offset any taxes payable.

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Life insurance

By listing the university as a beneficiary of your life insurance proceeds, your estate will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt. You may name the University of Calgary owner and beneficiary of a policy and receive a tax receipt for the cash-surrender value of the policy, and a tax receipt for any additional premium payments made after the policy is assigned.

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Gifts of registered retirement assets

For many people, registered retirement plans (RRSPs, RRIFs) and company-sponsored pension plans may be their single biggest assets beyond their homes. By naming the University of Calgary as beneficiary of your funds, your estate will receive a tax receipt for the entire amount of the gift.

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Gifts in kind

Over the years, the University of Calgary has received many generous donations of books, art, equipment, software and other property, including real estate — all of which are eligible for a tax receipt for the fair market value of the gift.

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Charitable trusts

If you wish to give assets to the university through your will, but would like to receive tax benefits today, consider a charitable trust agreement. With funding from cash, securities or real estate, you may create a charitable remainder trust with a trust company or individual named by you. The remainder interest of the fund is donated and held in trust for the University of Calgary. You retain the income interest for life.

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Gifts of publicly traded securities

Over the years, we’ve found that one of the most effective ways to support the University of Calgary is by donating publicly traded securities such as stocks, bonds, bills and mutual funds. To make a gift of shares, download the RBC Gift of Shares donation form or the ScotiaMcLeod Gift of Shares donation form.

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Contact information


Sherry Dahl, CFRE

Director of Development, Legacy Giving and Major Gifts
(w) 403.210.3873
(c) 403.618.6231
[email protected]