Give | Spring 2025

Manitoba Spring 2025

Future proof your financial security:

During uncertain economic times, prepare by building a solid foundation. PAGE 6

Spring 2025

Manitoba

The modern world is complicated. Manitobans have always needed to navigate the difficult financial waters required to build wealth. Planning for your future legacy could be more complex than ever before. This issue of Give Manitoba will offer suggestions that can help guide you through important considerations, such as how to best embrace philanthropic practices, understand tax implications, and budget to ensure you can assist fellow Manitobans. So, whether you are planning for your future or considering making a philanthropic gift, Give Manitoba will provide vital tips.

Charlene Adam The Free Press, Director, FP Features

Manitoba

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAKING YOUR CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS COUNT

A financial advisor provides tips on future-proofing your financial plan and making the most of your charitable contribution. page 6 THE DAY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING Adult & Teen Challenge leader reflects on the day that changed his life and what has happened since. page 10 DONATE DIFFERENTLY WITH GIFTS IN-KIND Charities and non-profits can benefit from contributions other than money. page 12 ESTATE PLANNING Why choosing an executor is essential for ensuring your wishes are carried out. page 17 WRITING YOUR WILL A lawyer explains the process of creating a will that won’t leave your family or loved ones wondering what you wanted. page 18 TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TAX CREDITS Maximize your hard work and contributions throughout the year with the help of a tax professional. page 20

Chief Executive Officer: Mike Power Vice President Revenue and Business Development: Michele Prysazniuk Director, FP Features: Charlene Adam Editor: Kristin Marand Contributing Writers: Janine LeGal Kristin Marand Trina Rehberg Boyko Design: Shakar Hagiev

For advertising information, call: 204-697-7390

View online at: winnipegfreepress.com/fp-features

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Your legacy, your choice

You might be surprised by how much of a difference your estate can make. After you take care of your loved ones, even 1% of your remaining estate will have a big impact on patient care and medical research for generations to come.

Clare and Shirley Moster’s goal is to see Alzheimer’s disease done away with for good. What is your goal? How will your answer shape how you will be remembered? Curing Alzheimer’s disease is a big ask, admits Clare, but he and Shirley have faith in the medical research being done at St. Boniface Hospital. That’s why they updated their wills to make the Hospital a beneficiary.

Garth Johnson Donor Relations gjohnson@stbhf.org

bealifeline.ca

Project Name: BEGIN YOUR LEGACY TODAY BECOME A PARK VISIONARY Give Manitoba 5 (Print-ready) Proof: Print Size: 7.125” x 4.875” Leaving a gift in your will is a meaningful way to support the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and preserve, protect, and enhance this cherished gathering place for future generations. Contact Madison today to learn more. mwilford@assiniboinepark.ca 204 927 6027

196 Provencher Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R2H 0G3

Colour:

4cp

Publication: Run Date:

The Free Press

April 2024

assiniboinepark.ca/support/plannedgiving

Manitoba

Help make sure kids like Jack always have the best care possible. Become a monthly donor at goodbear.ca

Your support will: • Unlock the mysteries of childhood diseases • Build places of hope and healing • Purchase specialized medical equipment • Support Child Health programs Continue caring for sick and injured kids. That’s the power of your legacy gift. For a confidential discussion on how your legacy can help, contact 204-594-5323. Let’s make anything possible. You have the power to ensure a brighter future for kids in Manitoba. The gift of a future

Manitoba 5 goodbear.ca

FINANCIAL SECURITY

FUTURE PROOF YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY

MaryAnn Kokan-Nyhof, financial planner and division manager, IG Wealth Management. SUBMITTED PHOTO

BY KRISTIN MARAND

T he key to securing your financial future is starting with a solid foundation. Ensuring you have finances to fall back on during a crisis, understanding cashflow management and having a properly diversified mix of investments and savings are all part of a well-rounded plan that can serve you even when the markets are in a downturn. “The foundation is risk management; preparing for the unexpected things that life can throw at you, like disease, disability and death, things that can absolutely derail the best laid financial plan,” explains MaryAnn Kokan-Nyhof financial planner and division manager at IG Wealth Management. “Making sure that there's the right amount of life insurance to cover the mortgage and that there's enough disability insurance to replace income or critical illness insurance in case somebody gets sick. It is essential to have all those things in place, because no matter how well you plan, if you don't cover those unexpected circumstances,

everything will fall apart.” The next step involves understanding budgeting and cash flow management. Keeping accurate track of money coming in and knowing where your spending is will allow you to cover your immediate needs and show you what you can afford to put toward savings to reach your short and long-term goals. Then comes accumulation, which is growing your wealth through regular investments to help ensure you have enough to live on once you've retired. Finally, taxation management, plans for decumulation (how you will use the money you’ve saved), and estate planning round out a comprehensive financial plan. “My advice for any stage of life is to understand your cash flow management and have a regular savings plan,” says Kokan-Nyhof. “It's securing the financial future. Proper asset allocation will ensure you won't outlive your money.” Kokn-Nyhof encourages everyone to empower themselves through financial literacy. She recommends seeking credible sources such as

your bank’s or credit union’s qualified associate financial planners or FP Canada, a national not-for-profit education, certification and professional oversight organization. Online courses are available, and many certified professionals like Kokan-Nyhof offer informational sessions on topics such as tax and estate planning at local community centres. While economic uncertainty is unsettling, Kokan-Nyhof says she's seen several significant downturns throughout her career and notes that navigating fluctuations is part of the process. A trusted financial professional can guide you through downturns and corrections, and a properly diversified portfolio will ensure that not all your funds are affected in the same ways at the same time. For instance, market downturns can be an excellent investment opportunity if you have uninvested capital. Diversified savings can provide some security for those nearing retirement amid economic uncertainty.

Manitoba

FINANCIAL SECURITY

“A planner would have probably established several sources for you to draw from in retirement, not just one. If you can, postpone drawing from your retirement savings, go into your TFSAs or other savings plans," she suggests. "The same goes for recession-proofing your financial plan; it's about proper diversification and asset allocation because you’re not having your eggs all in one basket. It could be some fixed income, cash, GICs, equities, stocks, or bonds. A well-diversified portfolio is not correlated to itself, so some sections are doing well, while others aren't.” Kokan-Nyhof is a big believer in giving back, and she encourages her clients to consider regular charitable giving as a means to contribute to causes close to their hearts in addition to tax benefits. During your earning years, a charitable donation can reduce the tax you may owe. A gift-in-kind of stocks or bonds to a charitable organization can save you from paying

capital gains tax. “Especially if there's an excess, if there are no direct beneficiaries that are relatives, or if there are charities that are near and dear to someone's heart, we always try and build those things in, not just at the end in the estate plan, but along the way, because there are good tax benefits to donating to charity. I believe it is important for everyone to have that in their plan. The advantages are that it feels good and is the right thing to do.” Do-it-yourself investing commercials may have you wondering if seeking out the services of a financial professional is worthwhile. Studies have shown (Cirano 2020) that working with a financial advisor can help you grow your wealth 2.3 times more than someone who tries to go it alone. “Financial planning is so much more than just investment advice. Investment advice is part of it, but it's so much broader,” she explains. “It's risk

“My advice for any stage of life is to understand your cash flow management and have a regular savings plan.”

— MaryAnn Kokan-Nyhof

management, cash flow management, investment management, taxation planning and income planning; there are so many moving parts. Financial professionals like myself have to spend 30 hours a year minimum in continuing education to keep on top of all the changes to the tax act and all the things that can affect or derail your financial plan. So if you want it done right, go see a professional certified financial planner.”

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c 5 5

UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

GIVING BACK WHAT’S BEEN GIVEN

After receiving a scholarship that covered a major part of her tuition fees, Anamika Anwesha enrolled at the University of Manitoba (UM) to complete a second master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. Now, to help other international students in need, she has set up a planned gift at UM. “UM was my first choice when it came to the idea of giving back,” says Anwesha. “I have firsthand experience of the financial struggles international students face - a

situation made even more difficult because many scholarships are reserved for permanent resident and Canadian citizens.” Her planned gift will create a scholarship to be awarded to women and non-binary students who want to work in conflict zones or who want to support innovative work that brings a meaningful and positive change in this world. “The important thing to me is to give from the heart,” she says. “I'm focusing on the Peace and Conflict

Studies program at UM because I see value in my work. The program has allowed me to be able to help people, and now I want to give others those same opportunities.” Anwesha urges that it’s never too soon to start thinking about how you can make a difference someday, whether while alive or after you pass. “To me, giving back is how life works,” she said. “I once needed support, so now it’s my turn to pay it forward and support others.”

To find out more about planned giving at UM, please visit umanitoba.ca/giving/plan-your-legacy.

“I was once in a position where I needed support, so now it’s my turn to pay it forward and support others.”

Become an Isbister Legacy Society member like Anamika Anwesha, who is supporting the next generation of women working in peace and conflict studies. Monica Carlberg at 204 474 7424 or giftplanning@umanitoba.ca To learn more about leaving a gift in your will, contact: UMANITOBA.CA/GIVING

Manitoba

of families take part in more ommunity events 50% of families volunteer more 50%

of families say their financial security is better 51%

Building Homes, Communities and Hope: The social and economic impacts of Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership Program

A driver of security and well-being Families in Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership Program get more than a home. They gain social and financial benefits that strengthen their lives, put their children on a path to success, and build inclusive communities. Habitat Manitoba is making history with our largest build to date—a 55-home development on Pandora Avenue West in Transcona . This project is more than bricks and mortar; it’s about creating safe, affordable housing for families facing the rising pressures of housing insecurity, and building a community where children can grow and thrive.

After moving into their Habitat home, families see improvements in:

Employment

Health

Education

physical health is better 73% mental health is better 79%

of adults start or complete additional education 41% are doing better in school 50% of families’ children

their employment 44%

of families say their

of adults improve

of families say their

Community involvement

Financial security

of families take part in more community events 50% of families volunteer more 50%

of families say their financial security is better 51%

Help us to continue building homes for Habitat families by donating today at habitat.mb.ca

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ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE

FINDING FREEDOM: RICHARD’S STORY AND A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Richard & Ally: Living a new life of freedom and hope. SUBMITTED PHOTO

A dult & Teen Challenge is a world leader in providing freedom from addiction. With over 30 years of serving Central Canada, we have helped thousands of individuals and families experience true freedom. Our mission is simple and powerful: to offer a full range of addiction treatment and

recovery services with compassion and excellence. Richard’s story is one example of the life transformation that happens through Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada. Richard, a First Nation Band Member from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, grew up surrounded by addiction, violence, and hardship.

Beginning substance use at only eleven years old, his life spiralled into deeper struggles with addiction, involvement in gang life, and personal loss. Despite attempts to find healing through various programs, true transformation eluded him until he connected with Adult & Teen Challenge.

Your Gift Can Help Provide

from addiction in Manitoba

In-residence recovery programs Leave a Legacy Providing:

Community offices providing support and mentoring for addiction-affected individuals and their loved ones

Successful living programs & support

Community for those recovering and struggling

We accept donations of marketable securities

www.teenchallenge.tc 1-888-822-9992 info@teenchallenge.tc

Manitoba

ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE

"It took almost losing my life to addiction for me to realize my purpose and seek help," Richard shares. After a relapse left him fighting for his life on the streets, he reached out to Adult & Teen Challenge. In June 2020, Richard entered the program, arriving broken but ready to surrender. There, he encountered love, support, and truth in a community that cared deeply for his future. Through the structure and encouragement of Adult & Teen Challenge, Richard completed the program and continued into the Surge Emerging Leaders program. He not only experienced freedom from addiction but also learned how to lead and serve others. Today, Richard is part of the Adult & Teen Challenge team, working as Community Support Staff. His role allows him to support

others on their journey to freedom, offering the same compassion and hope that changed his life. Richard recently married his wife Ally, who shares her own testimony of recovery. Together, they are building a family and are excited to welcome their first child. Looking ahead, Adult & Teen Challenge is preparing for an even greater impact through the Life Transformation Centre. This project is designed to expand and deepen the support we offer by addressing every stage of recovery. The Centre will provide a full continuum of care, including First Point of Contact services, In Residence Programs, Step Down Programs, Family Reunification services, and Transitional Interdependent Housing. With forty in-residence beds, twenty step-down beds, eighteen apartment

units, gathering spaces, offices, and a community kitchen, the Life Transformation Centre will be a place of hope, healing, and long-term restoration. Through stories like Richard’s, we see the power of transformation when hope is restored, addiction is overcome, and lives are made new. Together, we are building a future where freedom is possible for all.

Rendering of Future Life Transformation Centre. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Visit teenchallenge.tc or facebook.com/TeenChallengeCentral

Your Gift Can Help Provide for the Most Vulnerable in Winnipeg

Leave a legacy that heals and uplifts. Your gift can add detox beds, bring smiles, warm meals, and hope for new beginnings to those in crisis. Transform lives with your compassion!

On average, each day we serve:

250 Breakfasts

400 Lunches

www.lighthousemission.ca 1-204-943-9669 info@lighthousemission.ca

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GIFTS IN-KIND

DONATE DIFFERENTLY: SUPPORTING NON-PROFITS WITH IN-KIND GIVING

BY JANINE LEGAL

T hese days, are in high demand.

more than ever, generosity and community spirit

While organizations making a positive difference in the world always welcome monetary donations, there are other ways to help out both the larger non-profits and the smaller grassroots endeavours – each working equally hard for the well- being of community. Here’s a spotlight on two of our city’s many options.

Sabu’s Cubs Board Members Siobhan Faulkner, Caitlin Rhoda, Heather Nyman. SUBMITTED PHOTO

SABU’S CUBS

For the last 18 months, Sabu's Cubs has been getting out into the community on a mission to provide a safe and supportive space. The grassroots, volunteer-led non- profit dedicated to nurturing and empowering youth holds weekly community walks, visits to memorial sites, and wellness checks within neighbourhoods. With three board members and a crew of supportive adult and youth volunteers, Sabu's Cubs has no shortage of work to do. Through collaboration with other groups, they have access to the gym at Gonzaga School, where young people visit and shoot hoops or

share a meal in the gym. Activities aim to inspire personal growth, nurture resilience and cultivate a sense of belonging. “We host events for our youth every three months,” said Siobhan Faulkner, a retired teacher who spent the majority of her career in the North End and North Point Douglas. “We have a fall event at Michaëlle Jean Park, which Community Helpers Unite caters. At Christmas, we have a meal for volunteers. We have a midwinter sports night that includes a pizza meal. Businesses have graciously supplied food, drinks, and swag donations for the

gift bags for these events. “Our big summer project this year will be the shoe fair where community members can get gently used shoes. We will need to find tents and tables for the event,” Faulkner added. Sabu's Cubs is always looking for donations of snacks, granola bars for their community walks, and items for gift bags distributed at events. They also welcome bubbles and chalk for the youth, dental supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste, summer socks, and shoes for youth.

Find Sabu’s Cubs on Facebook and Instagram

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GIFTS IN-KIND

WINNIPEG PET RESCUE SHELTER

Carla Martinelli-Irvine and Poco. SUBMITTED PHOTO

For over 20 years, the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter has been finding loving homes for abandoned and unwanted pets. Manitoba’s first registered charity no-kill animal shelter receives no government or city funding, relying entirely on donor support and volunteers. “Hosting a fundraiser, adopting or fostering an animal in need, we have corporate sponsorship available, or businesses can do an employee- matching donation day,” said Carla Martinelli-Irvine of some of the ways people can help. “We have a Helping Hero program whereby people can donate as little as $10 per month on their credit card or through their bank account," she said, adding that a charitable tax receipt will be issued at year-end. Going through 500 pounds of cat litter every week, supplies such as clumping cat litter are appreciated, as are canned cat food, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. "All gifts and services are valuable to us. In the past, we have had photographers, handymen, electricians, plumbers, graphic designers, and a host of others offer their services. The shelter could not stay open without the support of kind people and businesses in our community." Another way to contribute is by donating a vehicle that's no longer in use. Associated Auction will come and take it off your hands. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for the value of the car at auction, and the shelter will receive the funds. At this time of year, there's generally an increase in requests to take in pregnant and nursing cats and dogs. Martinelli-Irvine says they will be looking for temporary fosters who can take them in until the kittens and puppies are ready for adoption.

To contribute, call 204-832-7387 or email: info@wpgpet.ca

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Invest ina Lifetime of Impact Leave a lasting mark and consider including Harvest Manitoba in your will or estate plan. Your generosity will help ensure that no Manitoban goes hungry. Your legacy gift today will nourish our community and yours for years to come. Visit harvestmanitoba.ca or call us at 204-982-3663 to learn more. Start YOUR legacy today.

Charitable #: 131792616 RR0001

SCAN TO GIVE

ADVANCING HEALTHCARE

The gift of

…can be the gift of a lifetime to someone in need. By leaving a gift in your will to Victoria Hospital Foundation, you can provide a brighter future for the people in your community. your lifetime…

or call 204-477-3513 Learn more at: TheVicFoundation.ca/legacy

Manitoba

hscfoundation.mb.ca

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The Power of Endowment Because an endowment fund lasts forever, a gift to your community foundation is a powerful choice for supporting your hometown over the long term.

Consider this: if you make a one-time $10,000 gift to a charitable organization, it will be spent on immediate needs. If you make a gift of $10,000 to an endowment at a community foundation (of course, you can make a gift of any size!) its impact will snowball over time. Contributing to an endowment at your local community foundation is a way to create a lasting legacy and ensure the causes you hold dear receive support forever. Here’s an illustration:

$10,000

FUND BALANCE

YEAR 1

$430

TOTAL GRANTED TO THE COMMUNITY

$12,300

YEAR 10

$5,100

$15,300

YEAR 20

$11,500

$19,200

YEAR 30

$19,400

1350-One Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X3 | 204.944.9474 | 1.877.974.3631 communitygenerosity@wpgfdn.org | wpgfdn.org

WINNIPEG FOUNDATION

Estate Planning and Choosing an Executor

for administering your estate. You may choose a trusted family member, a close friend, or, alternatively, a professional executor. A professional executor is a neutral, regulated institution who takes on the responsibility of the administration of your estate, Will, or trust. Please note that The Winnipeg Foundation’s Gift Acceptance Policy does not permit us to act as an executor or trustee for anyone. We always recommend appointing a qualified individual or capable organization to administer your estate or serve as a trustee. Whether you're creating your first Will or updating an existing one, if you're considering a charitable gift to support a cause or charity that has had a meaningful impact in your life and would like to learn more, we would be pleased to speak with you. Over the years, our community has witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of generosity through estate planning. These contributions help shape a brighter future for our community and ensure our donors’ values and passions continue to thrive. We are deeply honored by the trust our donors place in the Foundation. This trust reflects our community’s confidence in The Foundation’s ability to manage contributions responsibly and in alignment with a donor’s wishes. It is built on years of transparent and accountable stewardship. Estate gifts are more than financial contributions—they represent a strong culture of stewardship, trust, and commitment to our community’s future. By honoring donor intentions and managing these gifts with care, we continue to build a legacy of generosity that will shape our community for generations to come.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FROM THE FOLLOWING: Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living 1610-155 Carlton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3H8 Phone: 204.945.6565

Toll Free: 1.800.665.6565 Email: seniors@gov.mb.ca Website: gov.mb.ca/shas

C ongratulations – you’ve done a great job creating your Will! As you’ve gone through this process, you've faced many important choices, and one of the most crucial is selecting an executor. You may ask yourself “How do I select an appropriate representative?” This is a question we hear frequently at the Foundation. Choosing an executor is a deeply personal decision, and it’s no small task. Being named as the executor of a loved one’s estate is both an honor and a significant responsibility. An executor is who you choose to carry out the instructions in your Will. In Manitoba, an executor must be at least 18 years old to perform the duties. As a legal representative, they are responsible Patricia Hrymack CFRE, Manager of Planned Giving. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Community Legal Education Association 301-441 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1B4 Phone: 204.943.2382 Email: community@communitylegal.mb.ca Website: communitylegal.mb.ca Make the most of your generosity! The Foundation’s Giftabulator® allows you to try out different giving scenarios via a special online calculator which provides details tailored to your choices about giving. It will also provide resources you can share with your financial advisor when you are discussing your giving options.

Check it out on our website here: wpgfdn.giftabulatornow.com

For further information, please contact Patricia Hrymack CFRE, Manager of Planned Giving either via email at phrymack@wpgfdn.org or by phone directly @431-804-8850. THE WINNIPEG FOUNDATION DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE.

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ESTATE PLANNING

Protecting what matters most

How to ensure your wishes are followed when you’re gone

BY TRINA REHBERG BOYKO

W hether you have a prized collection of hockey cards or a piece of jewelry that’s a family heirloom, it’s important to ensure what matters to you is left in the right hands. When you have a family, that list becomes even more complex. From designating a caregiver for your children to ensuring your home is dealt with appropriately, you want to know that you can truly rest in peace. Now, it can be hard to face our own mortality, and some would rather just not deal with it. But what happens if you don’t? “If you die without a will, the Intestate Succession Act of Manitoba applies,” says Philippe Richer, lawyer and principal at TLR Law Office. “It dictates which family members, by relationship,

would have to apply to court to be named administrator.” First priority is given to a spouse, then adult children, then parents, and then siblings. Still, they have to apply—which means they may need to sign a bond and find sureties who will ensure that they, as administrator, will do their job appropriately. That can cost money that grieving families may not be able to afford. Meeting with a lawyer to draft a will is much less pricey and time- consuming and takes the burden off those who are already grieving. An administrator must be a Manitoba resident and should be able to manage your affairs when emotions are high. “Who is going to be responsible enough or level-headed enough at a time of mourning and grief?” Richer asks. “You need to think

about who will be able to take on the administrative task of managing an estate.” Richer says his firm does between 500 and 700 wills per year, and with the vast majority, family members are named as executors. “I, personally, like family to be involved because they’re the people who have the most interest in seeing the estate administered properly,” Richer says. That doesn’t mean it always goes smoothly. Richer describes a situation where someone decided to create his own will without legal help, and an ambiguity in the will led to litigation between his widow and her stepchildren. “This poor woman lost contact with these grandchildren she adored,” Richer says. “It’s not just sad, it’s tragic.”

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ESTATE PLANNING

That’s why, Richer explains, it’s necessary to be clear about your wishes and to have proper legal representation. Richer’s law firm holds webinars on a regular basis, where attendees who engage the firm to help with their estate planning afterwards are offered a free family meeting. The meeting addresses what each family member’s responsibility is—for instance if they’re named as a power of attorney—and how the testator wants their estate distributed. “When we see problems, nine times out of 10, it’s because of unmet expectations and a lack of communication,” Richer says. “If you’re talking to your kids about how you want things distributed, it gives them an opportunity to ask why—because they can’t ask why after your death.”

Philippe Richer, lawyer and principal at TLR Law Office. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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TAX TIPS

What you might be missing at tax time

BY TRINA REHBERG BOYKO

F iling taxes might not top your list of favourite activities, but talking to a tax professional can help you gear up for tax time—especially when you learn the credits available to you. According to Marc Berard, owner of Payless Income Tax Accounting Inc., the credits are what people should focus on. “Anybody can enter a number on a computer, but the credits are key,” he says. Credits are, essentially, money you can subtract from the income tax you owe. So, if you have kids in sports, or you have a disability, or you donate to a charitable cause—there are likely credits you can claim.

While anyone can download a tax program and attempt to enter numbers themselves, it’s easier to maximize your claims and minimize your taxes if you work with a tax professional who knows what they’re doing. Berard, for instance, files up to 15 to 20 tax returns each day during tax season. With his business around since 2000, that’s a lot of returns. He’s learned the ins and outs of filing and is up to date on the latest credits available. “It’s like changing your own oil,” Berard says. “You could do it, sure, and save money. But is it worth it? Probably not." For the price of getting your taxes done, which ranges from $80 to more than $300,

depending on whether it’s a simple return or a business return, you could see a lot of credits reflected. Berard recommends filing a tax return even if you don't have an income, as you may be eligible for funds you're unaware of. If you’re 19 or older and unemployed, you could receive $535 simply for filing. You’ll also be set up for Canada’s GST credit, which is a tax-free quarterly payment that offsets the GST you pay. When you have specific goals, tax credits can work in your favour, too. Let's say you want to give back to a cause that's near and dear to your heart—your donations can actually reduce your taxable income.

Manitoba

Make changing the course of cancer part of your story.

Linda (Robinson) Fast

A gift in your will to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation shapes the future of cancer breakthroughs in our province.

Diagnosed with cancer not once, but four times, Linda is dedicated to giving back to others facing a cancer diagnosis by making a gift to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation in her will. Linda’s first experience with cancer was in her 20s when she was diagnosed and then successfully treated for cervical cancer. She was shocked when many years later in 2011 it was discovered that she had cancer in her kidney and subsequently, her liver. At the time, Linda had recently lost her brother to a rare form of cancer. Devastated, she was determined to get better as she couldn’t bear the thought of her parents losing another child to this disease.

Just a few years later Linda’s routine mammogram led to a fourth cancer diagnosis: breast cancer. Fortunately, it was found early. Thanks to decades of donor-funded research, she required minimal treatment following her surgery. Linda is grateful to donors, whose continued support of research and patient care at CancerCare Manitoba ensured she received the life-saving, research-informed care that she needed. Today, Linda is cancer-free. She continues with scans every six months and keeps busy with her family, gardening and horseback riding. When

Linda and her husband were updating their wills, Linda began thinking about her experiences with cancer. “I unfortunately know more about cancer than I would like to,” said Linda. “I want to give back. I feel good knowing that a gift in my will may help someone like me. I have been very fortunate and want to be a small part of creating success in the future.” Thanks to donors, and to Manitobans like Linda who have so generously made gifts in their wills, more people impacted by cancer will experience better outcomes and more tomorrows with the people they love.

Your Impact Your decision to include a gift in your will to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation will have a profound impact on families. You will support: • A state-of-the-art cancer research centre operated by clinical and research talent from across the world. • A robust clinical trials program. • The very best physical and emotional support and care for Manitobans affected by cancer. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with you. It would be a privilege to discuss your considerations, answer questions and help to ensure that you have everything you need as you make this important decision.

SCAN QR Code

To learn more about planning your gift, please call Monique Gauthier, Development Manager at 204-927-5433 , or email mgauthier8@cancercare.mb.ca ON1160-675 McDermot Ave., WPG, MB R3E 0V9 cancercarefdn.mb.ca

TAX TIPS CONT.

“If you donate more than $200, you get more of a credit,” Berard says. Donating less than $200 still makes an impact and allows for tax credits, though the amount is slightly less. There are other credits too, that can be beneficial depending on the stage of life you’re in. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may want to look into a First Home Savings Account, or FHSA, which will not only help you save for your first home but will also give you a credit at tax time. If you're a parent with kids in sports or even a young adult between the ages of 16 and 24, you can apply for a credit to offset the amount you pay to play. Further, for young adults or those relying on Employment Insurance to pay their tuition, there's a credit available for tuition fees. Then, there are credits for those who are disabled or their caretakers. If you need to install a ramp or a walk-in tub or renovate your home to include a suite for an elderly family member, tax credits can balance the cost. In the end, taxes should not only be a "must do" but a way for you to maximize the hard work and contributions you make throughout the year. Reach out to your tax professional to ensure you're taking advantage of the credits available to you, so you're building a stronger financial future with your return.

Leave a Legacy

Your bequest will make a lasting impact on the lives of students at the University of Winnipeg and the University of Winnipeg Collegiate. For more information about Planned Giving please contact: Javier Schwersensky, President and CEO P (204) 786-9995 TF 1 (866) 394-6050 ceo.uwf@uwinnipeg.ca

uwinnipeg.ca/planned-giving

Manitoba

From Experience to Impact : How to Leave a Legacy at MHC Your legacy gift will make a difference as we strive to support the unique services that only Misericordia offers to Manitobans. From the Eye Care Centre of Excellence to Health Links – Info Santé to the Sleep Disorder Centre , your support today, and in the future, makes a tremendous impact on the lives of residents, patients, and all those who walk through Misericordia’s doors.

“I have had the benefit of successful eye surgery at MHC’s Eye Care Centre of Excellence. The staff is highly competent and deserve the best equipment in their vital work. It is a pleasure to donate to this worthy establishment and I encourage other to do so!” – Grateful Patient “The PRIME Program provided by Misericordia Health Centre greatly supported my cousin and her family. Thank you!” – Grateful Patient’s Family Member

“All the staff I was interacting with in the Community IV Program were exceptional in their kindness, knowledge, and care. I was grateful for receiving excellent care when I was quite scared. Amazing people and care all around!” – Grateful Patient

misericordiafoundation.com/legacygiving mhcfoundation@misericordia.mb.ca | 204.788.8458

Let Your Love of Animals BE YOUR LEGACY

Who we choose to include in our wills is a reflection of those who are most precious to us in life – family, friends, and the causes closest to our hearts. When you decide to leave a gift to the Winnipeg Humane Society in your will, you are providing care for the future generations of dogs, cats, and critters who need our help the most.

To learn more, contact Sharon Rubel, Manager, Donor Relations at SharonR@WinnipegHumaneSociety.ca or 204 982 2033. winnipeghumanesociety.ca

HUMANE SOCIETY

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