A Gift in Your Will

I have called York Region home since the 90s. I raised my daughters here, built my career here and found my sense of community among tree-lined streets and green spaces along the Humber River. It’s a beautiful place. But beneath that beauty lies a reality many people never see.

Hard work doesn’t always guarantee success. Where you live, your background, your circumstances — these things can be barriers to building a good life. They never should be. That belief has driven my support of United Way Greater Toronto for over 20 years.

It started with a small payroll deduction. But then work brought me into volunteering with Days of Caring, and that changed everything. I prepped meals at Blue Door Shelter, sorted donations at food banks and spent time in shelters across the region. It opened my eyes to the invisible struggles in our own neighbourhoods.

I met a woman who had worked her entire life, raised three children on her own and still found herself needing help in her senior years. Her experience touched something deep within me.

I felt a responsibility to support those who haven’t had the same opportunities I’ve had. When updating my will, I made a significant decision: to leave a gift to United Way Greater Toronto.

What I appreciate most about United Way is their unique position at the centre of community needs. They understand which neighbourhoods need food support, where housing insecurity is highest and how resources can be most effectively used to make the greatest impact. It takes an organization with deep roots and broad connections to build such a strong network of care.

My gift is a vote of confidence in United Way’s ability to address these challenges long after I’m gone. It’s also a way of expressing my deepest hope for our community: that it remains a place where people look out for one another, where opportunity is available to all and where kindness and generosity prevail.

If you’re thinking about your legacy — what you want your life to say and how you want to be remembered — I’d encourage you to consider this path. It was surprisingly simple to arrange, and I was able to balance my own estate plans with provisions for my family.

You don’t need to be wealthy to include a charity in your will. All you need is a desire to make a difference beyond your lifetime.

I came to Scarborough with my family as a teenager from Trinidad. That was in the 70s, when immigration looked very different than it does today. 

People often didn’t know what to make of us — a Chinese family from the West Indies. It was more like nobody saw us. Nobody reached out to ask us how we were doing. We felt invisible.  

Later in life, I went through other difficult periods and often found myself facing them on my own. It was only through counselling and community resources that I began to find my direction. 

That feeling of having someone reach out and offer emotional support stayed with me. I learned that one person, one conversation, can make a tremendous difference. That’s why I volunteer, mentor others and stay involved in my community. It’s also why I chose to leave a gift in my will to United Way Greater Toronto. 

I chose United Way because they reach people who are struggling: families facing financial hardship, newcomers trying to find their footing, seniors dealing with isolation, young people looking for a mentor who will see their potential, and people going through difficult times who need counselling or someone to turn to. I trust United Way to know where the need is greatest and to support organizations that help people find their way forward with dignity. 

I know from experience that the ripple effect of that support is real. When someone’s life improves, they’re in a better position to help someone else. It’s how the wheel keeps turning. 

I’m retired now after a career in banking. I wasn’t an executive with a big public profile. I’m an ordinary person who believes deeply that those who are able to live comfortably should help those who are not. ]

And Scarborough has given me a good life. Canada has given me opportunities I will always be grateful for. Leaving a gift in my will is my way of giving something back. 

I want people going through difficult times to know there’s help out there. That someone sees them. If my gift can help make that possible for someone, that’s the legacy I want to leave. 

I was raised to always give back to my community. Sunday school gave me early lessons in generosity, and as I got older, I started giving 10 percent of my income to the church.

I live by a simple principle: if something works and makes a positive difference, do it. This approach has guided my career choices and my giving decisions.

Though I’m officially a retired minister, I still do pulpit supply in Toronto churches. I’m not wealthy. But I’ve learned something important: you don’t need to be rich to make a lasting difference.

I think carefully about where my money goes. But mostly, I focus on what matters to me: community, helping others and making sure my values show up in my choices.

Those values first led me to United Way 20 years ago. There isn’t another organization that aligns more closely with my values. What drew me in — and has kept me committed all these years — is the remarkable breadth of their work. Their approach is both practical and compassionate, addressing immediate needs while working toward lasting solutions in our region.

I’m a proud Torontonian. When I think about the GTA, I see a region of great abundance, and I want everyone who calls it home to have the chance to benefit from all it has to offer. Yet there are still gaps. We’ve seen tent encampments spring up, food banks struggle to keep up and newcomers have difficulty finding their footing.

That’s why United Way’s work matters so much to me. The variety of projects and people they support is vast.

I can’t give large amounts of money to multiple organizations forever. But I can make sure my most important values are supported through a gift that will reach so many lives.

That’s why I’ve decided to include United Way Greater Toronto in my will. And it was straightforward. No complicated legal process.

Maybe you’re like me, someone who supports multiple causes and thinks carefully about legacy choices. Maybe you wonder if your gift will be big enough to matter. But through United Way, it will. Every gift joins with others to make a collective impact that can transform the future of our region.

Brian and I have been together since 1993. We met in Saskatchewan while clerking at the Court of Appeal, and although our backgrounds were different, we discovered we shared many of the same values. We both believe that when we leave this world, we should try to leave it a better place than we found it.

When our careers brought us to Toronto more than 30 years ago, we quickly came to love this incredibly vibrant, diverse city. Our introduction to United Way Greater Toronto was through our workplace giving programs and the many United Way champions at Blakes and McKinsey.

What we love about United Way is that they act as a centralizing force for so much good work across our community. If you already have specific philanthropic interests, chances are United Way is connected to agencies working in that area. And if you simply want to give back, you can trust United Way to put your dollars to work in a coordinated, thoughtful way. Supporting the queer community in particular is also important to both of us, and we’ve seen United Way show up for our community time and again.

Several years ago, Brian had a serious health scare that prompted us to update our wills. It was a reminder of how quickly life can change and made us think about how we could continue supporting the work we care about after we’re gone. Including United Way felt like a natural extension of the commitment we had already made through years of giving.

Our gift is a vote of confidence in the future of the GTA and in the people and organizations working every day to make it stronger, more inclusive and more compassionate.

If you’re thinking about leaving a gift to United Way in your will, our advice is: don’t wait. We all have good intentions, but it’s easy to put these decisions off for another day. Including a charitable gift in your will is a way of being intentional about your values and the future you hope to help create.

Can I provide for my family and leave a gift in my will?
Absolutely. Many supporters choose to take care of their loved ones first, then leave a percentage or specific amount to United Way. Your lawyer or financial advisor can help you find an approach that works for you and takes into account your priorities, financial goals and tax situation.

Do I need to be wealthy to leave a legacy gift?
Not at all. People from all walks of life choose to leave a legacy gift as a way to carry their values forward and make a meaningful future contribution without affecting their finances today. A gift of any size can make a difference in your community.

Do I need to rewrite my entire will to include a gift to United Way?
In many cases, no. If your will is already up to date, you may be able to add a charitable gift through an amendment called a codicil. Your lawyer can advise you on the best approach.

Should I speak with my family about my plans?
Talking with your family can help make sure your wishes are understood and give everyone greater peace of mind. It can also be an opportunity to share why this gift matters to you and the values behind your decision.

What information do I need to leave a gift in my will?
You’ll need our legal name, address and charitable business number: 

Legal Name: United Way of Greater Toronto
Primary mailing address: 26 Wellington Street East, 12th floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1S2
Charitable Business Number: 119278216RR0001

To learn about gift options and find sample wording for your will, see our Sample Language and Guidelines for Leaving a Gift in your Will.

A gift in a will is the most common type of legacy gift, but there are other options. A financial planner, estate lawyer or tax advisor can help you find the approach that works best for you. Our team is happy to speak with your advisor directly.

Have you already included United Way in your will, retirement plan or insurance policy to help build a stronger future for our community? We’d love to hear about it. While it’s entirely optional, letting us know about your plans gives us the opportunity to thank you during your lifetime and recognize your commitment in a way that reflects your preferences. Complete the confidential form below or contact Jennifer Chegus at jchegus@uwgt.org.

You know charitable giving is an important part of holistic financial and estate planning. Your clients want their philanthropy to reflect what matters to them and make a lasting difference in their community. 

With deep knowledge of local needs and opportunities for social change across Peel, Toronto and York Region, we’re here to work alongside you and your clients to help turn their charitable goals into better futures for people across the GTA.