Legacy Giving
CONTINUING THE SOUND OF MUSIC
The Calgary Philharmonic belongs to all of us. Together, we inspire, unite, and elevate our community through music. With your support, we’ve built one of Canada’s premier orchestras.
Leave a lasting legacy. By planning a gift today or committing a future contribution to the Calgary Philharmonic, you’ll help sustain orchestral music in Calgary for generations to come and will keep Calgary’s creative culture thriving and alive. Your legacy commitment will support artistic excellence and innovation, and will provide for ongoing and long-term impact, strength and resiliency of the Orchestra.
WAYS TO GIVE
When you leave a gift to a registered charity, your estate can claim a charitable donation tax credit. This may reduce the amount of tax owed by your estate, sometimes significantly. Please consult your lawyer and financial advisor to ensure your wishes are fulfilled and potential tax benefits are maximized. There are many options to create a long-lasting legacy:
CHARITABLE BEQUESTS
Most people opt to make one of two types of charitable bequests: a SPECIFIC gift with a set dollar amount or a RESIDUAL gift, which is a percentage of your estate left after all beneficiaries, debts and administrative fees have been paid.
GIFT OF LIFE INSURANCE
Gifts can be created by using new or existing life insurance policies. This is a great way for younger donors with limited assets to leave a lasting legacy.
DONATING REGISTERED ACCOUNTS
Contact your financial institution to request and complete the appropriate beneficiary designation form for your registered account (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA). You can name the charity as a full or partial beneficiary.
GIFT OF PUBLICLY TRADED SECURITIES
Gifts of publicly traded securities given directly to a charity allow you to avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciated value. During lifetime, you can make your contribution over a period of up to five years.
ENDOWED MUSICAL CHAIR
Endowing a chair is a meaningful way to support musical excellence while creating a lasting legacy. Donations are split equally between the Calgary Philharmonic Society and Calgary Philharmonic Foundation, ensuring both annual and long-term sustainability. Donors can name a chair to reflect personal or family interests, making it a tribute that endures across generations. Learn more here
MEET OUR LEGACY DONORS
Get Inspired! Hear from some of our current legacy donors. Meet more of our Legacy Donors here.
“Always leave the campsite better than you found it. For more than 40 years, my wife, Jean, and I have had our lives enriched by a myriad of Calgary Philharmonic experiences and friendships, and it has been my privilege to serve in a number of capacities with the Calgary Philharmonic Society and Foundation. Our planned gift to the endowment is our way of ensuring the ‘campsite’ remains in wonderful condition so that great musical performances and education are an integral part of Calgary for the benefit of future generations.”
— John Partridge, Past President, Calgary Philharmonic Foundation
“The world can be a troubling place at times and we all need something to encourage us and brighten our days. Music can be that something. We so enjoy the wonderful experience of attending a Calgary Philharmonic concert, allowing the music to give us a respite and to inspire us with positive thoughts. We want future generations of Calgarians to have that same opportunity. That is why we have made a Legacy gift to the Calgary Phil — we want it to continue to thrive and give the experience of enjoying live concerts in many different music genres for years to come.”
— Valerie + Allen Swanson, Donors
Contact our development team to join Calgary Phil's legacy program:
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I be recognized?
Your legacy ensures the future of orchestral music in Calgary, supporting artistic excellence, innovation, and long-term resiliency of the organization.
Donor Lists: Prelude magazine prints thousands of copies, 3 times a year. It is circulated throughout the city of Calgary, among patrons, and with members of the community. Have the legacy of your gift and name live through name recognition in the pillar of our written communication to the public.
Endowed Chairs: Choose a musician’s chair on stage to have named after you or in honour of someone. In an event where a musician leaves or retires, the chair will be named in your legacy, to welcome talent as the orchestra grows and changes. Be sure to see your endowment in a variety of material across the organization.
*Recognition considers donor preferences when customizing recognition and benefits of legacy donors.
What’s the difference between the Calgary Phil Society and the Calgary Phil Foundation?
The Calgary Philharmonic Society and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation are both registered charities under Canada’s Income Tax Act. Fundraising for both organizations is essential to support the Calgary Philharmonic’s short-term operational needs while ensuring its long-term financial sustainability. Increasingly, Legacy Donors are choosing to support the Society and Foundation, recognizing the interconnected nature of their roles in sustaining the Orchestra’s future.
The Calgary Philharmonic Society: Gifts to the Calgary Philharmonic Society support annual operations, including recurring ad urgent expenses, such as performances, outreach programs, and administrative costs.
Calgary Philharmonic Society Registered Charity: 118823863RR0001
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation: The Foundation’s mission is to invest donations and applicable government grants in perpetuity. A portion of the income generated from these investments is distributed annually to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, providing a stable and enduring source of funding.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation Registered Charity: 119218089RR0001
How to make a gift in your will?
Follow these guidelines to prepare your giving pathway:
- Learn about the impact legacy gifts are making.
- Record the details you’ll need.
- Decide the type of gift that suits you.
- Leave a bequest in your will.
- Specify if you wish to remain anonymous or be recognized.
*Your tax advisor, financial advisor, or Estate Planner can advise you on specific options that are right for you and your family.