Legacy Gifts and Wills

We all need a will, whether we’re 18 years old, 88 years old, or somewhere in between. When writing our will, we can include a legacy gift through a bequest to charity. 

A gift to CMHA Edmonton as part of your will ensures that mental health programs will have the support they need to continue on. When you leave a gift to charity in your will, it also reduces the amount of taxes you owe on your estate. This can increase the amount of money you are able to pass on to your family and other beneficiaries through your estate. 

We encourage you to talk to your family and a financial advisor or estate lawyer about the legacy you’d like to leave through your will.  

When you’re ready, reach out to us at [email protected] or (780) 414-6300 and we will work with you to identify the right type of gift to match the legacy you want to leave. This can be a fixed amount or a residual – a set percentage of the estate – and go to support a specific project or our greatest need at the time.  

We would be honoured to be a part of your legacy. Should you choose to include us, please let us know so we can assist in ensuring your bequest is carried out as intended by confirming our name and address, charitable number, and the intention of the gift. This way, we can also say thank you, get to know you, and talk more about how your gift can have the impact in the way you want it to.  

Leaving a Gift in Your Will 

Here is sample language that supports a gift through your will. 

Specific, unrestricted:  

I give to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, currently of 300, 10010 – 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 the sum of $ _______ to be used at the discretion of the organization.  

Specific, restricted:  

I give to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, currently of 300, 10010 – 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 the sum of $ _______ to be used for the following purpose(s): ____________________ . If the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region is unable to apply all or part of these funds for the specific purpose(s) stated herein, the balance of this bequest not so extended may be used at the discretion of the organization. 

 General % unrestricted:  

I give to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, currently of 300, 10010 – 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 __ % of the residue of my estate to be used at the discretion of the organization.  

General % restricted:

I give to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, currently of 300, 10010 – 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 __ % of the residue of my estate to be used for the following purpose(s): ____________________ . If the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region is unable to apply all or part of these funds for the specific purpose(s) stated herein, the balance of this bequest not so extended may be used at the discretion of the organization.  

Residual contingent trust:  

Upon the death of the survivor of my (wife, husband, etc.) ________ and my (son, daughter, etc.) ________ , I direct my trustee to transfer and deliver the balance of the residue of my estate, including any undistributed income, to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, currently of 300, 10010 – 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C4 to be used at the discretion of the organization