We need you

Help us in our quest to convene the brightest minds from coast to coast to coast so we can better understand the brain in illness and health. Together, we are fuelling the most cutting-edge research and making strides that will improve health outcomes for all people in Canada.

Ways to Give

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One-time gift

Any gift – large or small – is important. By donating to Brain Canada, you are supporting some of Canada’s boldest explorers and driving brain research forward.

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Monthly gift

Give your gift its full potential by joining Brain Canada’s circle of monthly donors. An automatic pre-authorized payment will be charged to your credit card each month.

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Give in memory or in honour of someone

This type of gift is a meaningful way to honour a loved one and show them you care. It can be for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary or holiday) or just to continue showing your support.

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Donate securities

A gift of appreciated securities can mean greater tax savings for the donor than an equivalent gift of cash. The process is simple; your financial advisor transfers the securities from your account to a Brain Canada brokerage. Donors are eligible for a tax receipt for the fair market value of the securities at market close on the date of transfer.

Build your legacy with Brain Canada

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Planned Giving

A legacy gift is a demonstration of your belief in the continuity of the charities that you care about and want to support for generations to come.  It is a way to leave a lasting mark by supporting the charity of your choice.  Regardless of age or wealth, all of us have the ability to leave a legacy.

How it works
There are several options available to make a legacy gift.  The legacy gift can be structured to fit your family and financial objectives. 

Some planned giving strategies are:

  • Bequest in a will
  • Gift of assets
  • Gift of life insurance
  • Donor-advised funds

Learn more about legacy gifts and to determine how to make the most meaningful legacy gift for you.

BrainCanada Forms of Giving donation type chart

Legacy giving resources

Bequest for undesignated use:
“I give, to Brain Canada Foundation, Registered Charity located in Montreal, QC, with the charitable registration number 89105 2094 RR0001, the sum of $— [or —% of my estate] [or —% of the residue of my estate] to be used for the general purposes of the Foundation.”

Specific, bequest with escape clause:
“I give, to Brain Canada Foundation, Registered Charity located in Montreal, QC, with the charitable registration number 89105 2094 RR0001, the sum of $— to be used for the following purpose(s):

If Brain Canada Foundation is unable to apply all or part of these funds for the specific purpose(s) stated herein, the balance of this bequest not so extended may be used for the general purposes of the Foundation.”

Residual contingent bequest:
“Upon the death of all my beneficiaries, I direct my trustee to transfer and deliver the balance of the residue of my estate, including any undistributed income, to Brain Canada Foundation, Registered Charity located in Montreal, QC, $— to be used for the general purposes of the Foundation.”

A gift of life insurance allows you to make a significant donation to Brain Canada Foundation at a relatively low cost, while protecting the value of your estate for your heirs. This approach is appropriate for donors who hold an existing policy that is no longer needed or for a donor who wishes to make a gift but currently has limited financial resources. There are a few ways to make a gift of life insurance:

  • Transfer ownership of your existing life insurance policy to Brain Canada Foundation and name Brain Canada Foundation as the beneficiary of the policy. You will receive a charitable tax receipt equal to the value of the policy at the time of the gift. Your annual premium payments may qualify for a charitable tax receipt.
  • Purchase a new policy and name Brain Canada Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. Your annual premium payment may qualify for a charitable tax receipt.
  • Designate Brain Canada Foundation as the beneficiary of a policy. Upon death, your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt equal to the death benefit of the policy.

Download a securities transfer form

Gifts of appreciated publicly traded securities, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds are advantageous as your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt equal to the value of the security at the time of the gift and any capital gains on the gifted securities will be exempt from tax.

By naming Brain Canada Foundation as a beneficiary of all or a percentage of your Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Fund or TFSA (or leaving it as a bequest in your will for Quebec purposes), you are able to make a commitment now, but postpone the donation until after your death. Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the full value of the gift on death but you will continue to retain full ownership and use of your retirement funds during your lifetime.

A charitable remainder trust is an arrangement that allows you to transfer assets to a trust, obtain a donation receipt today, and retain the right to income from the trust for life or a specified period. The capital of the trust will be left to Brain Canada Foundation after certain predetermined milestones, such as a period of time lapsed or a death.

To further discuss your wishes, please contact:

Monica Berger
Director of Philanthropy
Brain Canada Foundation
1200 McGill College Avenue, Suite 1600
Montreal, Quebec H3B 4G7

Telephone: 514-264-9746
E-mail: monica.berger@braincanada.ca

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Corporate partnerships

There are many ways employers and their teams can support Brain Canada. Corporate donations, employee donation matches, employee giving programs or workplace fundraisers are all trusted giving options for corporations.

How you can help

Brain Canada funds the very best Canadian neuroscience, fostering collaborative research and accelerating the pace of discovery, in order to improve the health and quality of life of Canadians who suffer from brain disorders.

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