The Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation offers a personalized giving experience that aligns your philanthropic goals with your financial and tax planning strategy.

Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation

Your single point of support from beginning to giving.

largest donor advised fund among Private Investment Counsellors*

**The Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation uses a donor advised fund model and is a  strategic, flexible, and efficient way to manage your charitable giving. It offers the ability to donate a wide range of assets in a tax advantageous way with the flexibility to support your favorite causes on your own timeline.**

By setting up a donor advised fund with the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation, you can make the most of your philanthropic efforts while enjoying the convenience and simplicity of a centralized giving strategy. By funding a donor advised fund with cash, appreciated stocks, or even some pre-approved non-publicly traded assets, you can potentially increase your tax savings and give more to the causes that matter most to you. This flexible giving solution makes it easy to convert these assets into charitable contributions, maximizing your impact.

Giving through the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation allows you to claim an immediate tax deduction while taking the time to research and select the charities you want to support. There's no rush, enabling you to enjoy thoughtful, impactful giving. Plus, you can recommend grants at any time, making the process convenient and efficient.

How It Works

The Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation was established in 1996 and is one of the ways we bring generous, like-minded people together with the common purpose of having a positive impact on the world.

Our goal is to provide a giving experience that is seamless, effective, joyful and rewarding. We believe in supporting our clients’ ability to make an impact and are proud to include the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation as part of our clients’ holistic planning at no additional cost.

Create Your Legacy

Find clarity and confidence with a streamlined giving process.

We help you to develop a meaningful giving plan that means you can be intentional about when and where you donate.

Gain structure and clarity

Partner with us as your single point of support from beginning to giving.

Personalized service and advice

Allow us to streamline the experience. We integrate your philanthropy with your wealth planning, from defining your giving strategy through to your tax and estate needs.

Simplified process

Manage all your giving in one place. Support all your favorite charities with one donation: gain immediate tax benefits and then take your time to decide where to give.

Save time and energy

Give with Clarity

Feel good about giving.&nbsp; Be inspired by the impact you&rsquo;re making, not just the dollars you&rsquo;re donating.

Understand the impact of your giving through our online portal that reports on both philanthropic giving and investment activity.

Reporting

Build connection with the charities you support, the people you help, and other like-minded donors. Inspire a sense of giving in family and others and enjoy a shared sense of purpose.

Deepen relationships

Engage with a network of fellow donors and the charities you support. Discover new ideas and perspectives that can broaden your understanding of the world.

Engage and learn

Understand Your Impact

Do well by doing good. There is mutual benefit in maximizing your wealth plan while helping the community.

Increase your tax savings by holistically integrating philanthropy into your investment strategy and estate structure.

Optimize your planning benefits

No need to make giving decisions based on tax season. Donate to a professionally managed account any time, allowing for potential tax-free growth and more giving over a longer period.

Give, grow, grant

The act of giving itself can bring joy and a sense of gratitude. Feel good about helping others and seeing the direct impact of your giving.

Purpose and fulfillment

Return on Giving

At Nicola Wealth, philanthropy is more than a tradition—it’s a shared commitment to making a difference. In this first-ever impact report, we celebrate the generosity of our clients, our team, and our partners who are driving meaningful change across Canada and around the world.

The 2024 Nicola Wealth Impact Report

Nicola Wealth's day volunteering at the Sharing Farm

Nicola Wealth is deeply rooted in giving back through one of our core values, Share the Pie.  We believe that the contribution, growth, and success should benefit all.  

It is the cornerstone of who we are, how we operate, and how we show up in the community. We are dedicated to creating lasting positive change and fully engage our clients and our staff in these efforts.

Philanthropy at Nicola Wealth 

Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation is a Canadian registered charity &ndash; in type, a Public Foundation. It is a legal, separate organization, with a governing Board of Directors, working closely with the team at Nicola Wealth. &nbsp;We accept donations and make grants to other Canadian registered charities. &nbsp;We ensure CRA compliance in that minimum annual disbursement quotas are met, tax receipts are issued, and annual tax filings are prepared.

What is the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation?

A Donor Advised Fund is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a public charity created to manage charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families, or individuals. Donor Advised Funds provide streamlined grantmaking, helping philanthropic dollars reach charities quickly and efficiently. &nbsp;Individual donors or families may establish a Donor Advised Fund held at Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation and may, in future, provide recommendations regarding those Canadian registered charities you wish to support.&nbsp;

What is a Donor Advised Fund?

Donations can be made in cash or in-kind. In-kind donations can be mutual funds, stocks, bonds, real estate, insurance policies, etc. Under certain circumstances private company shares can be donated. In any case, donation details should be discussed with your Advisor.&nbsp;
Under legislation governing Public Foundations, certain investments may not be permitted or may have limitations on how much can be held as a percentage of the Foundation&rsquo;s assets overall. The Board of Directors of Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation bears responsibility for the investment of all funds and must review and approve any investments that are not specifically permitted (such as private company shares). &nbsp;

What can be donated to Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation?

Standard asset management fees apply to the investment account itself however, there is no additional cost to administer the Donor Advised Fund; Nicola Wealth bears the cost and administrative services of the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation.

What is the cost?

A Gift Deed is a legal document used to formally give a sum of money or transfer ownership of property to another person or organization. The Deed of Gift, standard with all Donor Advised Funds, is used to document the particular parameters of the fund agreement identifying the Donor Advisors to the fund. Once the Deed of Gift is complete, a Donor Advised Fund will be established, named accordingly (such as the ABC Family Fund), and the initial donation is made. &nbsp;The minimum initial donation amount is $25,000 with a tax receipt issued for all donations. &nbsp;

What is required to set up a Donor Advised Fund?

Once a donation is made, it is an irrevocable gift, and is considered an asset of the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation. CRA regulations prohibit the donor from providing instructions on how to manage the assets. As the Donor Advisor, you are able to make grant recommendations on disbursements from the fund. Donors can contribute immediately, build a philanthropic strategy, and recommend grants when ready.

What happens to the funds after I make my donation?

Donor Advisors make recommendations on disbursements from the fund and should include the name and registration number of the charity(s), including the grant amount. Please note, disbursements can only be made to Canadian registered charities or qualified donees. &nbsp;
Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation staff will correspond directly with the charities that receive grants from a Donor Advised Fund to manage the disbursements in-keeping with the donor wishes.&nbsp;

How are grants made from the Donor Advised Fund?

As the Foundation continues to grow, in order for us to serve all donors as effectively as possible, it is our preference that disbursements be requested no more than quarterly and in amounts not less than $500 per charity.&nbsp;

How often can I make grant recommendations?

The Donor Advisor(s) may name a Successor Advisor to the fund. The Successor Advisor comes into effect should the Donor Advisor be unreachable in the event of incapacitation or death. &nbsp;The Successor Advisor listed is then able to act as the Donor Advisor to the fund on behalf of the original Donor Advisor. &nbsp;The Board of Directors of the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation may also be named as the Successor Advisor. &nbsp;
Should there be no Successor Advisor listed, the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation Board of Directors will become the Successor Advisor by default and will then make grant decisions, in-keeping with the charitable intentions of the Donor(s). &nbsp;We have an ethical obligation to use the funds as per the donor&rsquo;s wishes and will do our best to determine the best granting scenario should no instructions have been previously provided. &nbsp;

What happens to my Donor Advised Fund after I pass away?

At present, there are no capital restrictions on our Donor Advised Funds so the capital and any income generated may be granted to a Canadian registered charity at any time.&nbsp;

What if the Donor wishes to terminate the Donor Advised Fund?

Ineligible disbursements include: &nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Gifts to an individual or team that is raising funds under the banner of a registered charity for things like bike-a-thons, runs, etc., as CRA assumes that expenses for the event will be deducted from donations specific to that event and therefore not all of the gift will be eligible.</li>
<li>Tickets to fundraising dinners, etc., as only a portion of this is considered a charitable donation.</li>
<li>Any disbursement to a charity that is not registered in Canada - note that some international charities have registered partner organizations in Canada to facilitate overseas gifts.</li>
<li>Any grant where a direct benefit to the donor advisor is perceived or received as a result&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

What grants are not permitted from a Donor Advised Fund?

Frequently Asked Questions

Jacqueline (Jackie) Dagg

Team Lead, Private Giving Foundation

Teresa Virani

Executive Director, Philanthropy

Tracey Lacroix

Private Giving Foundation Associate, Philanthropy

Meet Our Team

*as at 2021, “Influence, Affluence and Opportunity: Donor-advised Funds in Canada”, produced in 2023 in partnership with CAGP Foundation and KCI

Speak with a Nicola Wealth Advisor to integrate your legacy with your financial plan today.

Do well by doing good

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The content of this site is intended for U.S. residents. Please note that Nicola Wealth investments funds are generally not offered to U.S. residents at the present time. As such, the contents of this website should not be construed as as an offer of any of Nicola Wealth’s investments funds to U.S. residents. Any information, statement or opinion set forth herein is general in nature, is not directed to or based on the financial situation or needs of any particular investor, and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or a recommendation with respect to any particular security or investment strategy or type of retirement account. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies should consult their financial professional.

Before proceeding, please confirm if you are an accredited investor by checking the box above. Accredited investors are individuals with a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding the value of their primary residence, or individuals with income of more than $200,000 (or joint income of $300,000 for married couples) per year for the past two years, with a reasonable expectation that such income levels will be attained in the current year.
 
Accredited investors also include certain institutions, including U.S. banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks, U.S. savings and loans associations, U.S. insurance companies, U.S. registered brokers and dealers, U.S. registered investment companies and business development companies (as defined by the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940).
 
Additionally, certain state pension funds and ERISA plans with more than $5 million total assets and certain partnerships, corporations, and trusts with more than $5 million total assets are also considered.


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