Beyond merely a checklist of questions and the calculations that need to be done, gift planning is about keeping the interest of the charity in the forefront of your donors’ minds and hearts. Yes, there is a technical side to it, but it is inherently an emotional process.

Gift plans vary from donor to donor depending on such factors as their assets, family situation, and the challenges they may face regarding income or tax considerations. Questions often arise in the course of the process, such as “Can a realistic gift be made?” “Can it be made now?” and  “Can it be made with this particular asset?” 

Meeting a donor’s objectives
Gift closing is the end zone of planned giving. Getting there requires designing a gift that meets a donor’s charitable, financial, and personal objectives. Towards this end, we act as your emissaries to your donors and their advisors, designing and advocating for gifts and assisting in overcoming any objections that may arise.

Working with advisors
Working with advisors can be challenging. At times, gift planners feel reluctant to challenge the opinion of individuals with credentials such as lawyers, accountants, and asset managers. We’ve seen situations where development officers assume advisors are always right given those credentials. We’ve also seen situations in which we believe advisors do not have the same charitable intentions as the donors they advise, and that can cause problems for the charity.

In circumstances like these, it is useful to elicit the help of consultants who bring objectivity to the situation and who may themselves have similar credentials. Working with advisors to secure a gift plan that works for all parties is a big part of what we do at PG Calc. We can function as your emissaries in dealing with donors’ advisors, who may recognize the financial ramifications of donor gifts but often fail to understand the emotional ramifications.

Cross-border gifts
As the term suggests, a cross-border gift occurs either when a donor in one country makes a contribution to a charitable institution in another country or when a donor who lives in one country contributes property located in another country. We can educate charities and their donors regarding the tax implications of cross-border gifts, as well as assist with planning and completing them. We have substantial experience in gifts involving Canada and the United States.