Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the act of giving, whether during or after one’s lifetime, for the betterment of society and those in need. It is an integral part of the estate planning process that requires the expertise of legal professionals who understand the nuances of charity law and the regulatory environment of charities in Canada.

At Torkin Manes, our Not-for-Profit & Charities Group offers a broad range of services that help clients navigate the multilayered process of not only establishing a charitable organization or private family foundation, but also making gifts and bequests to existing charities. No matter the capacity for giving, our team guides clients on all matters related to charities, such as gift agreements, donor advised funds, succession planning, governance, compliance and corporate maintenance. We leverage the expertise of our colleagues in multiple areas of practice, including estates and trusts, real estate, corporate/commercial, insurance and tax, offering our clients the advantage of a full-service law firm.

Given the often personal nature of charitable contributions, members of our team invest substantial time at the outset to understand our clients’ wishes in how they want their gifts to be handled and the degree of engagement they expect to have with respective beneficiaries. We work collaboratively with our clients to prepare comprehensive gift agreements and offer meaningful advice to give our clients insight as to how they want their bequests to be reflected. With our clients’ best interests as our top priority, we take appropriate steps to safeguard their wishes, with a goal of helping them realize the vision of their legacy.