Hamilton Community Foundation - Donors

Donors

Individual Donors

Many people are interested in benefiting our community…

“How might this be accomplished through Hamilton Community Foundation?”

Hamilton Community Foundation is essentially a collection of various types of gifts, large and small, contributed by people from all walks of life. It is structured to help donors make their community a better place - whether their interest centres on an area of specific concern (e.g. children, arts, environment) or extends more generally across broader community needs.

Your gift to the community will give year after year because your donation is invested as a permanent endowment fund and is managed professionally by a knowledgeable team of community leaders, staff and investment advisors. The income from the investments is given out to the community each year to address the charitable priorities identified by you as a donor or by the Board of Directors working on your behalf.

We are not a charity supporting our own programs, but a vehicle to support causes and activities as diverse as the community at large. We do not compete with other charitable organizations - rather, we enhance their ability to serve the community.

Gifts to Hamilton Community Foundation have been made to provide a tribute or memorial for a special person, to celebrate or commemorate an event, provide a means to continue a donor's lifelong support of a charitable organization(s) or cause(s).

When should you make a gift?

Although a large portion of the gifts to the Foundation are through bequests, more and more of our donors are also making gifts during their lifetime. Sometimes people start their fund with a small gift and add to it as they become comfortable with the whole concept. Donors who establish their fund during their lifetime tell us that they really enjoy seeing the difference their fund is making. On a practical note, there are many advantages to using a community foundation for charitable gift and tax planning.

What about my children's inheritance?

Donors often ask HCF how they will be able to both take care of family and support their community. An approach that has worked for some of HCF's donors is to think of the community as another heir. After looking after their family and friends, some donors leave the residue of their estate to HCF. By doing so, their gift may also result in a tax benefit for the estate.

More information

HCF can help you establish a permanent fund that supports your favourite charities or works to address community needs for generations. To learn more about making a gift to Hamilton Community Foundation in your will, please contact your professional advisor or our Vice President of Development at HCF, in confidence at 905-523-5600.

Working with Hamilton Community Foundation

Learn how to create a fund.

View the types of funds available.

Advantages to Gifts of Securities

Canada Revenue Agency rules eliminate tax on capital gains of transfers of marketable securities.