Legacy Giving Frequently Asked Questions

A gift in your Will costs you nothing today but will help ensure that UNICEF can continue to support children for generations to come. Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions about legacy giving.

How do I leave a gift in my Will to UNICEF Canada?

Leaving a legacy gift to UNICEF Canada is easy. We have developed a free gift in Will guide which has more information to help you consider this decision in your own time. The guide walks you through the process in detail, including these four simple steps:

  1. Use a solicitor to ensure that your wishes will be carried out as you would want.
  2. Think about your assets and the people and/or organizations you would like to leave them to. If you would like to leave a gift to UNICEF you’ll need our charity details which are here.
  3. Appoint one or more people to be your Executor who will be responsible for carrying out the instructions in your Will. This can be a friend, relative, or your solicitor.
  4. Make a copy of your Will and ensure someone you trust knows the location of the original. Your solicitor will be able to advise on storage.

What types of gifts can I leave?

The different types of gifts you can include in your Will include:

Residuary gift – leaving a percentage of your estate means that the proportion of your gift remains the same, regardless of the changes in the value of your estate in the intervening years, and protects the distribution of your estate as you initially intended.
Pecuniary gift – a fixed sum of money. 
Specific items – such as shares, property or jewellery. 
Contingency gift – a gift through your estate only after a change in circumstances occurs, whereby all other original named beneficiaries have passed.

Why should I leave a gift in my Will?

Leaving a gift in your Will to UNICEF will help support children in more 190 countries with vaccines, clean water and education. Gifts in Wills of all sizes also allow us to plan and develop our long-term programs with confidence. Your legacy will be a world where children and the many generations that follow them will have the chance to thrive.

How does UNICEF spend the money?

As the world’s farthest-reaching organization for children, we ensure more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected. We work closely with communities, local partner organizations and governments to ensure that the projects we fund are effective and create real impact for children.

I already have a Will and would like to update it to include UNICEF.

If you’ve already written a Will, it’s a simple process to revise it to include a gift to UNICEF Canada. Depending on the changes that you would like to make, it may be possible to use an additional document called a ‘codicil’ to make your amendments. Please speak to your lawyer about the best course of action to take.

Can I say where I want my gift to be used?

Arranging your gift for UNICEF’s greatest needs means our teams can put your gift to work immediately and in the most effective way at the time of fruition. Alternatively, you can designate your gift, but we do recommend phrasing it as broad as possible keeping in mind that our program needs and focuses can change through the years. We would be pleased to speak with you about your specific wishes and customized Will clausing. Please contact Carrie Gemmell, our Director, Legacy & Planned Giving at 1-866-264-0333.

What happens if I change my mind?

We know that sometimes things can change which may result in revisions or removal of your gift in Will to UNICEF Canada. At any time, we welcome your feedback and preferences for continued legacy communications. 

Do I need to let you know if I’ve included UNICEF Canada in my Will?

We would love the opportunity to thank you! While it is not a requirement to inform us, it is very helpful for us to know so that we can also note your plans and wishes. Whether you choose to inform us or not, we will always respect your privacy and communications preferences. 

What’s UNICEF Canada’s address and charity number?

Official Name: The Canadian UNICEF Committee
Charitable Registration Number: 122680572 RR0001
UNICEF Canada – 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3

To learn more about legacy giving at UNICEF Canada, you can download our Legacy Giving Guide here or contact our Director of Legacy and Planned Giving, Carrie Gemmell. Carrie can be reached by phone at 1-866-264-0333 or email at cgemmell@unicef.ca.