A charitable bequest is a gift made through your will. This is one of the best options for making a significant contribution while maintaining future financial security.

If the circumstances around your life insurance policy have changed, you may consider using the cash surrender value of the policy as a gift. There are also options and benefits for new life insurance policies.

A charitable remainder trust is a legal arrangement allowing you to receive the income from the trust during your lifetime and assign the trust capital as a gift in the future.

A gift of real estate may be given outright, or you may retain the use of the property during your lifetime and make it a future gift as part of your estate planning.

This includes stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The transferring of publicly listed securities means none of the gain is taxed; and you receive a tax receipt for the value.

This includes RRSPs and RRIFs. Withdrawals from the fund will be taxed. However, if the proceeds are donated, the tax credit on the donation will offset the tax incurred on withdrawal.