Your Legacy. Our Future.

For nearly 50 years, generous donors and government partners have invested close to $200 million in the Dartmouth General Hospital—transforming it from a small community hospital into one of Nova Scotia’s largest and most innovative regional health centres.

With deep roots in our community, Dartmouth General continues to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of the people in Dartmouth and surrounding areas.

If you or someone close to you has received care at Dartmouth General Hospital, you know how life-changing it can be. Your support fuels that same exceptional care for others. By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help strengthen healthcare in our community and ensure that every patient, for generations to come, receives the care they deserve — close to home.

Your generosity will attract top medical talent, fuel innovation, and fund life-saving equipment.

 

A gift in your Will, even as little as 1%, is a powerful act of kindness – one that will touch the lives of every patient who walks through our doors.

Your future gift can help shape the future of healthcare at the Dartmouth General—leaving a legacy of care for generations to come.

Speak With Us

For a confidential discussion about arranging a gift in your Will, or for more information, please contact:

Katharine Berrington
Senior Manager, Legacy Giving
katharine.berrington@dghfoundation.ca
902-460-4149

Important Information for leaving a gift in your Will for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation:
Our Legal Name:
Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation
Charitable Registration Number:
BN 12245-5611-RR0001

Gift in Your Will
By arranging a gift in your Will, you can take care of your loved ones first while also leaving a lasting gift to your hospital. In fact, a gift in your Will for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation may be a way to make a larger gift than you ever thought possible. Your bequest not only supports the future of the Dartmouth General, it’s an effective way to reduce the taxes owed by your estate.

Arranging a gift in your Will to support the Dartmouth General Hospital is easy!  

Your gift will help to ensure the highest level of care is available to our community. Because of your legacy gift, family, friends and neighbours will continue to receive exceptional care in the most modern facilities, with state-of-the-art technology, for years to come.

We encourage you to talk to your family about your plans and seek professional legal, estate planning and financial advice when making decisions about your Will.

You could arrange:

  • A specified dollar amount
  • A specified percentage (or share)
  • A residual gift (what’s left after you have provided for your family and other loved ones)

Your estate will receive a tax receipt for the amount of your gift which can significantly reduce taxes owed.

Other Types of Legacy Gifts…

Gift of Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact. There are two main options:

  • During your lifetime: You can donate a new or existing policy by transferring ownership to the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. If the policy has a cash value, you’ll receive a charitable tax receipt for that amount, as well as for any future premiums you pay.
  • Through your estate: You can name the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation as the beneficiary of a policy you continue to own. Upon your passing, the proceeds will be paid directly to the Foundation, and your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Both options allow you to make a significant contribution, with valuable tax benefits for you now or for your estate in the future.

Gifts from your RRSPs, RRIFs, Pension Plans, or TFSAs
You can designate the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation as a beneficiary of your RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan), RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund), Pension Plan or TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account).  

Using these instruments to support the DGH Foundation can help to reduce your estate taxes and protect the value of the estate for your family. Ask the institution holding these investments for a change of beneficiary form and insert the DGH Foundation as your new beneficiary.

Every gift in every Will makes a difference.

If you have remembered the Dartmouth General with a gift in your Will, we are truly grateful. Please let us know so that we may thank you, and ensure your future gift is used just as you intend. We pledge to ensure that your legacy is never forgotten. Of course, your privacy and confidentiality will always be respected. Kindly complete this confidential statement of intent form. If you prefer your gift to remain anonymous, please be assured your wishes will be respected.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.

Pretty much anyone! You don’t need to be wealthy to leave a gift in your will – in fact 1.2 million Canadians already have. You may not have a lot to give now, but over time you may have built up some savings, or own things, such as a home, that you won’t fully use during your lifetime. Leaving a gift in your Will is a meaningful way to make a lasting difference for a cause you care about.

There are a few different ways you can leave a gift in your Will. We recommend you speak with your lawyer to choose the type of gift that is right for you. Some people leave a specific amount of money, or a percentage of their estate, others leave a residual amount. After you’ve taken care of your loved ones and paid any outstanding debts, whatever is leftover–or the residue–can be gifted to charities of your choice.

It is absolutely possible to do both. Many people choose to leave a small percentage of their estate to a charity they care about, while the majority goes to their family/friends. This way, you can make a meaningful impact without taking away from the support you want to provide for your loved ones.

You can still add a gift for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation by adding a codicil to your Will. Speak with your lawyer about how to make this easy change. A codicil is a simple legal document that updates part of an existing Will.

People often create a will during a major milestone – like getting married, buying a home, having children, or experiencing a change in health. It’s also common to create or update a will when planning for retirement or after losing a loved one. Really any time your life circumstances change, it’s a good time to think about putting your wishes in writing. Having a will gives peace of mind, knowing your loved ones and the causes you care about will be looked after.

We’ve partnered with Will Power, a national movement to educate Canadians on the power of making a difference through their Wills.

Use the Will Power calculator to see how a gift in your will can create a lasting impact while maximizing your tax benefits. Discover how even a small percentage of your estate can make a meaningful difference for the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation.

Calculate Your Legacy to Support Causes and Loved Ones – Will Power