LEGACY GIVING
A legacy gift to Guide Dogs for the Blind International will support our services for generations to come.
When you picture your life’s journey, what do you see? Is it filled with moments of challenge and joy, all of which contributed to who you are today and what you truly care about? These moments shape the values that will be your legacy, framing how you will be remembered and how your story will be told.
When you include a gift in your will for Guide Dogs for the Blind International, you are extending this legacy far into the future. Your impact will be felt long after you’re gone. Your values and what matters to you will continue.
For more than 50 years, Guide Dogs for the Blind has been supporting independence by matching people with guide dogs that open doors to enhanced mobility, offer greater confidence to explore the world, and provide companionship that is steady and uncompromising.
These supports don’t exist by chance. You help make this possible.
A gift in your will to Guide Dogs for the Blind International isn’t just a donation —it’s your personal commitment to accessible, exceptional guide dog supports for generations to come.
When you make or update your will, please consider including a gift to Guide Dogs for the Blind International.
To learn more about legacy giving, contact Erin Jones (pictured below) at 415.499.4456 or [email protected]
How to Make a Charitable Gift in Your Will
When making your will, you can decide if a gift to a charity makes sense for you. If you already have a will and would like to update it, a codicil can be used. This means you don’t have to rewrite your will when you are ready to add a charitable gift.
Including a gift in your will to Guide Dogs for the Blind International is easy but sometimes creating or updating your will can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you on your will-making journey, and we also advise you to work with a professional advisor to ensure your legacy wishes are carried out correctly.
Residual Gift
A gift of residual interest allows you to leave whatever is leftover in your estate to charity after your loved ones have been cared for and all debts, expenses, and taxes are paid. This means your charitable gift can grow as your estate grows over time. It also provides more flexibility as your financial situation changes throughout your life.
Specific Gift
A fixed sum gift means you designate a specific amount to be donated.
It's important to note that will requirements vary slightly between provinces and territories. We advise you to work with a professional advisor to ensure your wishes to continue your legacy are carried out correctly.
Legal Details: What Information You’ll Need
There are only two pieces of information you’ll need when you make your will or update an existing will to include a gift to the Guide Dogs for the Blind International:
- Legal Name: GDB International
- Charitable Registration Number: 83061 8682 RR0001
Other Legacy Gifts
In addition to a gift in your will, there are several other ways you can make a planned gift to Guide Dogs for the Blind International. You can leave a legacy that speaks to your values that also offer tax advantages. Common types of legacy gifts include life insurance, RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs. Speak to a professional advisor about which options are best for you and your personal needs.
Life Insurance
Donating a life insurance policy allows you to make a significant and affordable gift to Guide Dogs to the Blind International.
Giving a gift of life insurance lets you give a larger gift than you likely could give otherwise could while offering immediate tax benefits against your current tax return. A gift of life insurance also avoids probate fees and cannot be disputed or challenged like other estate gifts.
When you name Guide Dogs for the Blind International as the beneficiary of a new policy, you can claim charitable deductions for the annual premium payments you make.
You can also transfer ownership of an existing policy to Guide Dogs for the Blind International. A tax receipt will be issued for the cash value of the policy as well as any premium payments you make in the future.
RRSP and RRIF
Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) can be leveraged for charitable giving. When you name Guide Dogs for the Blind International as a beneficiary of your RRSP or RRIF, your estate will be issued a tax receipt for the full amount of the funds after your death. These funds are not subject to probate, except in the province of Quebec where probate fees do not apply. The tax credit can be used on your final tax return.
This approach allows you to maintain complete access to your retirement funds throughout your lifetime while making a meaningful legacy into the future. Many donors find this to be an effective strategy to reduce taxation on these assets.
Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs)
TFSAs are a popular tool used to build savings without paying taxes on earned interest. When you designate Guide Dogs for the Blind International as the beneficiary of your TFSA, your estate will receive a tax receipt for the fund distributed after your death. These funds are not subject to probate, except in the province of Quebec where probate fees do not apply. This tax receipt can be applied to your final tax return.
Contact Us for More Information
We are always here to help. To learn more about legacy giving or to receive suggested bequest language, please contact Erin Jones, Planned Giving Officer (pictured above), at 415.499.4456 or [email protected]
By Reginal Sullivan of Toronto
Independence and confidence have always been central to our lives. As a person who is blind, my guide dog DeKalb isn't just a guide—he's a trusted companion who supports the independence I've always cherished.
Over the past 25 years, my wife Cathy and I have partnered with eight exceptional Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) companions. These remarkable dogs guided us through rain and snow, on public transportation, and waited patiently under our desks throughout our busy and successful careers.
When DeKalb needed emergency care, GDB covered the entire $8,000 veterinarian bill without hesitation—all because of generous supporters who want the best for Canadians living with blindness and guide dogs.
What many don't realize is that GDB receives no government funding, yet provides all services free of charge. From the two-week training at their California campus to the lifetime support for each guide dog team, donors make it all possible.
After retiring, we carefully reviewed our wills and asked ourselves: "What do we want our legacy to be?" The answer was clear.
We were thrilled when GDB established its Canadian charitable arm, Guide Dogs for the Blind International. That means fellow Canadians and their guide dogs will be directly assisted by our gift in our will for generations to come.
For us, this gift isn't about endings — it's about creating new beginnings. It ensures more people who are blind or visually impaired will experience the same freedom of mobility we've enjoyed with our magnificent GDB dogs.
Every Saturday evening, we listen to GDB's livestreamed graduation ceremonies and smile whenever we hear a fellow Canadian share their experience. In those moments, we feel proud to be part of something transformative.
What values does your legacy to reflect? If freedom and independence for others speaks to you, perhaps you might consider joining us.
By Joan Robinson of Toronto
Born legally blind and later losing my remaining vision in my 20s, I used a white cane for 40 years. When I retired, I decided it was time to try a guide dog. I was matched with my first guide dog, Tallulah, in 2010. This partnership changed everything.
Ever since I got Tallulah, I thought, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" She literally freed me to travel.
Together, we embarked on remarkable adventures, completing 20 European trips over eight and a half years. Tallulah became known as the "Mozarthund" in Austria for attending countless concerts and operas. She even had her own European Union Pet Passport!
Our travels took us through Paris's crowded streets, over Venice's canal bridges, and to the Leipzig Bach Festival three times. Tallulah gave me the freedom to explore and discover and dream of the next destination.
After Tallulah's retirement and eventual passing in 2020, I was partnered with Dani, who allowed me to continue following my adventurous spirit. I am so proud to say that in 2022, at age 70, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of walking Spain's Camino de Santiago with Dani by my side.
The eight-day pilgrimage tested my courage as we navigated steep, rocky terrain. I had to practice radical trust in Dani despite my fears, as we walked for hours, and she didn’t let me down.
My guide dogs helped transform me from a retired librarian to world traveler. For nine years, I served on Guide Dogs for the Blind’s board of directors and continue to serve on Guide Dogs for the Blind International’s board. I am proud to support this organization and have named GDB in my will. Your generous legacy gift can help provide enhanced independence, mobility, and companionship to so many Canadians, in the years to come.