Charitable Bequests
A charitable bequest is a distribution from your estate to a charitable organization
through your last will and testament. It is a future gift that doesn’t cost you anything
during your lifetime, but that leaves a lasting legacy of your concern, passion and support
for the future of Canadian theatre. Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC), previously
known as Playwrights Union of Canada, was established in 1972 to advocate on behalf of
Canadian playwrights. Over 600 playwrights across Canada are supported by PGC. As of
April 1st 2011, Playwrights Guild of Canada was designated a registered charity
(107849101RR0001).
Why consider making a bequest to The Playwrights Guild of Canada?
Bequests can make a real difference for the future of Canadian theatre. With your help,
we can fund different initiatives such as future awards for up and coming as well as
established playwrights, workshops to better inform our community, or even financial aid
for playwrights who may not have the necessary means to become a member of
Playwrights Guild of Canada.
You do not have to be wealthy to make a charitable bequest.
A bequest means that you have all of your assets available for any need that might arise
until you no longer need to have the funds available. The specifics of your will can also
be changed any time before your passing.
You do not have to rewrite your existing will to leave a gift to Playwrights Guild of
Canada. A codicil, a simple amendment to your will, is all you need.
Without a will, there is no mechanism in place to make a bequest. To make sure your
wishes are granted, make a detailed list of your assets (financial, real estate, vehicles,
jewelry, collectibles, etc.) and set up an appointment with your financial analyst or
attorney. These professionals will help sensitively guide you through the process.
There are different kinds of bequests which use specific language to indicate the precise
direction of your assets in order to successfully carry out your final wishes. Those can be
a set amount of money (with or without a stated pre-assigned purpose), a gift of your
royalties or rights, or even of the residue of your estate and assets once other things have
been handled. A charitable bequest will only be processed should there be some of
your estate left once family and others important to you have been provided for.
Charitable bequests can also help you reduce your final taxes. Playwrights Guild of
Canada will issue an official tax receipt for the full value of the bequest, which can then
be used to reduce the tax payable on your final tax return.
When making a charitable bequest, make sure to name the recipient accurately. In this
case:
Playwrights Guild of Canada
Registered charity number: 107849101RR0001
Below you will find possible bequests you can make to PGC as well as some specific
bequest language. Please note that carefully reviewing the terms of your will with a
trained professional is always recommended.
Types of Possible Bequests
1. General Bequest – A gift of a specific amount of money or of a fixed percentage
of your estate. The amount will be applied to PGC’s most urgent needs.
General Bequest Language:
“I give, devise and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
sum of $ ________ (or a description of the specific asset) for the benefit of Playwrights
Guild of Canada and its general purposes.”
2. Specific Bequest – A gift of a particular amount of money donated for a designated
purpose.
Specific Bequest Language:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
sum of $_________ for the benefit of Playwrights Guild of Canada to be used for the
following purpose: (state the purpose. Eg: Funding of Workshops, Financial Aid for Inneed Playwrights, Mentorship Program…). If at any time in the judgment of the trustees
of Playwrights Guild of Canada it is impossible or impracticable to carry out exactly the
designated purpose, the Board of Directors shall determine an alternative purpose
closest to the designated purpose.”
3. Residuary Bequest – A gift of the residue or part of the residue of your assets after
other terms of the will have been satisfied.
Residuary Bequest Language:
“All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal (or a
percentage of the residue), I give to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001,
for its general purposes.”
4. Contingency Bequest – Leave a portion of your estate if the named beneficiary
(or beneficiaries) in your will predeceases you.
Contingency Bequest Language:
“I devise and bequeath the residue of the property, real and personal and wherever
situated, owned by me at my death, to (name of beneficiary) if (he/she) survives me. If
(name of beneficiary) does not survive me, I devise and bequeath my residuary estate to
Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001.
5. Insurance Bequest - A gift of life insurance is made when you name Playwrights
Guild of Canada as the beneficiary. This means that you control the policy, and the
organization would receive the insurance proceeds upon death.
6. Rights and/or Royalties Specific Bequest – A gift of specific item(s) (rights,
royalties).
Rights and/or Royalties Specific Bequest Language:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
(rights and/or royalties of specific play titles or entire body of work) for the benefit of
Playwrights Guild of Canada and its general purposes.”
Or
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
(rights and/or royalties of specific play titles or entire body of work) for the benefit of
Playwrights Guild of Canada to be used for the following purpose: (state the purpose.
Eg: Funding of Workshops, Financial Aid for In-need Playwrights, Mentorship
Program…). If at any time in the judgment of the trustees of Playwrights Guild of
Canada it is impossible or impracticable to carry out exactly the designated purpose,
they shall determine an alternative purpose closest to designated purpose.”
7. Award Funding Bequest - Leave a specific amount of money in order to fund an
award.
Award Funding Bequest Language:
“I give, devise and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
sum of $ ________ for the benefit of Playwrights Guild of Canada to be used for the
following purpose: award funding.”
8. Personal Award Funding Bequest - Leave a specific amount of money ($5 000
minimum) in order to fund an award in your name.
Personal Award Funding Bequest Language:
“I give, devise and bequeath to Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 the
sum of $ ________ for the benefit of Playwrights Guild of Canada to be used for the
following purpose: award funding in my name.”
9. Donations Instead of Flowers at Funeral – Ask your loved ones to leave
donations to PGC instead of flowers at your funeral.
In a codicil (an amendment to your will), write out your request that people donate to
Playwrights Guild of Canada / 107849101RR0001 instead of bringing flowers to your
funeral.
PGC ‘Players’ Club
Please contact us with the contact information of your executor to let us know you
have left a gift for Playwrights Guild of Canada in your will. When you let us know
you have made a charitable bequest to us, you become part of the PGC ‘Players’ Club. As
a way of honoring your gift and keeping your legacy alive, your name will be placed on a
book of your choice in our Carol Bolt Reading Room.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us: [email protected]
or 416-703-0201.
You can donate anytime to Playwrights Guild of Canada by visiting:
http://playwrightsguild.ca/donate.