At Nellie’s, we’re eternally grateful for our amazing community of generous donors. From hardworking businesses to selfless individuals, Nellie’s is stronger because of every single person who has supported us over the years. Every donation helps ensure that we can always meet the needs of the women and their children living at Nellie’s, as well as those who need the support of our community programs and services.

May is Leave a Legacy Month in Canada, and we want to highlight this incredible way to support us through your will and estate plans. “It’s about how you want to ensure your memory lives on,” explains Ingrid Graham, Nellie’s director of development. “So if Nellie’s is important to you in your lifetime, leaving a legacy helps the organization continue the work that mattered to you.”

There are many reasons you may choose to leave a gift to Nellie’s through your will. For some, it’s about supporting a charity close to their heart, while for others it’s a way to ensure their memory lives on after they’re gone. Whatever your reasons, naming Nellie’s for a gift through your estate ensures that we can continue to support women and their children impacted by abuse, trauma, and homelessness. While government funding ensures our shelter provides a roof over our heads and beds to sleep in, the essential programs and services we deliver to meet the ever-changing and complex needs of our community are only possible because of our generous donors.

“When people hear the word ‘legacy’, they think that it has to be a transformative gift,” says Ingrid. “They think it has to be something large, but it doesn’t. It can be anything from $1000, to…well, the sky’s the limit. It all matters. It’s a great way to help organizations continue to do their important work.”

Here are a few of the ways you can leave a legacy to Nellie’s in your will:

Bequest a cash amount: This is the most common type of legacy gift. It can be a specific dollar amount, a specific gift, a percentage of your estate or the remaining balance of your estate after you’ve provided for loved ones.

Name Nellie’s as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy: This allows you to make a significant donation to Nellie’s at a relatively low cost, while protecting the value of your estate and possibly even providing you with a tax saving.

Gift of retirement saving plans: If you’re not survived by a spouse and have no dependent children (or have already made arrangements for your children), leftover retirement funds make an excellent charitable gift, and offer a tax-saving benefit on your estate.

Invest in charitable gift annuities: This provides a way to increase your income and reduce your taxes, all while making a substantial gift to Nellie’s to help us ensure we can always provide a safe space to the women and their children who need us.

To leave a legacy to Nellie’s, you need to know:

• Nellie’s legal name is Women’s Hostels Incorporated
• Nellie’s charitable registration number is 11930-2727-RR0001
• Our mailing address is 970 Queen St. E., PO Box 98118, Toronto, ON M4M 1J8

Here are some other tips to consider when leaving a legacy:

Talk to your family about your wishes: These can be tough conversations but doing so will make it much easier for your loved ones when you pass away.

Get professional advice: A financial advisor can help you better understand legacy options and a lawyer can help you write your will.

For more information on leaving a legacy, please contact Ingrid Graham, Director of Development at Ingrid@nellies.org or at 416-645-1419.