How to Establish
A Charitable Gift Fund

"The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it."

— William James

Steps for Creating a CGF

Please follow the steps outlined below to establish a Charitable Gift Fund with Gift Funds Canada. You may either work through your professional advisor or directly with the Foundation if no advisor is involved.

Step 1
Either work with your professional advisor to complete the appropriate gift agreement form or go to the relevant section of this website and select the appropriate document to download and complete on your own.

Step 2
Complete the Charitable Gift Fund Agreement as per the instructions on the form and sign the form.

Step 3
If the donation is something other than cash, be sure to provide specific details about the asset(s) in the 'Gift Information' section of the application.

Step 4
Return the completed original of the signed Charitable Gift Fund Application to your professional advisor or if you aren't working with an advisor, send it directly to Gift Funds Canada via courier or mail. Please keep a copy for your advisor &/or your files.

Gift Funds Canada
645 Gardiners Rd., Ste. 202
Kingston ON K7M 8K2
Tel. 1-866-712-5988

Step 5
Initiate the transfer of assets to Gift Funds Canada using the instructions cited below:

  1. Cash by Cheque
    Cheques should be made payable to Gift Funds Canada. Mail to:
    Gift Funds Canada,
    645 Gardiners Rd., Ste. 202
    Kingston ON K7M 8K2

  2. Stocks
    The Donor's Investment Advisor opens a new account in the name of the Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. Instructions will be issued by Gift Funds Canada regarding the transfer in kind, liquidation & investment of the proceeds of the gifted assets.

  3. Stock Certificates
    Mail Stock Certificate(s) and Stock Power with Signature Guarantee under separate cover to:
    Gift Funds Canada
    645 Gardiners Rd., Ste. 202
    Kingston ON K7M 8K2

  4. Mutual Funds
    The Donor's Investment Advisor opens a new account in the name of the Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. Instructions will be issued by Gift Funds Canada regarding the transfer of ownership, redemption & investment of the proceeds of the gifted mutual funds.

  5. Bonds
    The Donor's Investment Advisor opens a new account in the name of the Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. Instructions will be issued by Gift Funds Canada regarding the transfer in kind and subsequent handling of the bonds.

  6. Gifting Stocks
    Without a Professional Advisor, assets may be gifted in kind directly to Gift Funds Canada by transferring them to the Foundation's discount brokerage account. Either use the Transfer Form available on this website, or use the information in it to complete your brokerage firm's transfer form. Contact Gift Funds Canada at 1-866-712-5988 if further assistance is required.

  7. Restricted Stock & Other Assets
    Please contact Gift Funds Canada at 1-866-712-5988 for instructions.

These are the first practical steps you will work through to establish a CGF. Once the funds have been donated to Gift Funds Canada, the Foundation, as new owner of the assets, will also become a client of your Investment Advisor. Or in the case where a donor isn't working with an advisor, the gifted assets will be liquidated and the proceeds invested in a pooled fund as indicated on the appropriate agreement form.

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of this website or contact the Foundation at 1-866-712-5988 or contactus@giftfunds.com.