For more than three decades, Cheetah Conservation Fund has worked to secure a future where cheetahs and people thrive together. A legacy gift helps ensure this work continues for generations to come.

By including CCF Canada in your estate plans, you can create a lasting impact for wildlife conservation, community resilience, education, and habitat protection in Africa and beyond.

What Is Legacy Giving?

A legacy gift — also called a planned or estate gift — is a future charitable contribution arranged as part of your financial or estate planning.

These gifts can often be made without affecting your current financial security and may provide tax benefits to your estate.

Ways to leave a legacy include:

  • A gift in your will
  • Naming CCF Canada as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, pension, or life insurance policy
  • Gifts of securities or other assets
  • Other planned giving arrangements

Why Leave a Legacy to CCF?

Your future gift can help:

  • Protect wild cheetahs and their habitats
  • Support rescue and rehabilitation efforts
  • Reduce human-wildlife conflict
  • Empower local communities through conservation livelihoods
  • Advance scientific research and education
  • Inspire the next generation of conservation leaders

A legacy gift ensures your values live on through meaningful conservation impact.

Three young wild cheetahs sitting together in tall grass in the savanna, scanning the landscape.
Three young wild cheetahs sitting together in tall grass.

Types of Gifts in a Will

Residual Bequest

Leave all or part of the remainder of your estate after other gifts and expenses are fulfilled.

Percentage Bequest

Leave a percentage of your estate.

Specific Bequest

Leave a specific dollar amount or asset.

Suggested Bequest Language

We recommend consulting your lawyer or estate advisor when preparing your will.

General Bequest

“I give to Cheetah Conservation Fund Canada the sum of $_____ for its conservation programs to save the cheetah.”

Residual Bequest

“I give ____% of the residue of my estate to Cheetah Conservation Fund Canada for its conservation programs to save the cheetah.”

Benefits of Legacy Giving in Canada

Charitable gifts made through your estate may:

  • Reduce taxes payable by your estate
  • Help maximize the impact of your assets
  • Support causes important to you and your family

We encourage you to speak with your professional advisors regarding your specific situation.

Let Us Know About Your Plans

If you have already included CCF Canada in your estate plans, we would be honoured to hear from you. Sharing your intentions allows us to thank you and better understand your wishes.

Any discussions are confidential and non-binding.

Contact us at [email protected] or call us 819 -271-8529.

Together, we can ensure cheetahs continue to run wild for generations to come.

A group of teachers and conservation educators standing in a line indoors, smiling while holding up copies of the
A group of teachers and conservation educators standing in a line indoors, smiling while holding up copies of the "A Predator's Role In The Ecosystem" book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my will later?

Yes. A will can generally be updated at any time while you are legally capable of doing so. Many people revise their wills as family, financial, or charitable priorities evolve.

What assets can I give?

You can leave many types of assets to Cheetah Conservation Fund, including:

  • Cash
  • A percentage of your estate
  • Publicly traded securities
  • RRSPs or RRIFs
  • TFSAs
  • Life insurance policies
  • Real estate
  • Other investments or personal property

Your advisor can help determine the most suitable option for your circumstances.

Will my family still be protected?

Yes. Many supporters choose to first provide for loved ones and then leave a portion of their estate to charity. Legacy giving is flexible and can be structured around your personal and family priorities.

Common options include:

  • Leaving a percentage rather than a fixed amount
  • Making a residual bequest after family provisions are met
  • Naming a charity as beneficiary of a specific asset

Are there tax benefits?

In Canada, charitable gifts made through your estate may generate charitable tax receipts that can help reduce taxes owed in your final tax return or by your estate.

Certain gifts — such as publicly traded securities — may also offer additional tax advantages.

We recommend speaking with a lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Can I direct my gift to a specific program?

Yes. You may choose to support a particular area of Cheetah Conservation Fund’s work, such as:

  • Cheetah rescue and rehabilitation
  • Community conservation
  • Livestock guarding dog programs
  • Research and education
  • Habitat conservation

To ensure your gift can continue to have the greatest long-term impact, we encourage donors to discuss any specific wishes with us in advance.

Do I need to tell CCF Canada if I include the organization in my plans?

No. Your plans remain entirely private unless you choose to share them.

However, informing CCF Canada allows us to:

  • Thank you personally
  • Ensure we understand your intentions
  • Keep you informed about our work and impact

Any conversations are confidential and non-binding.

Can I leave a legacy gift if I am not wealthy?

Absolutely. Legacy gifts of all sizes make a meaningful difference over time. Even a small percentage of an estate can help create lasting conservation impact for future generations.

What is the difference between a legacy gift and a donation today?

A current donation supports conservation work immediately, while a legacy gift is arranged now and realized in the future through your estate plans. Many supporters choose to do both.

Should I speak with a professional advisor?

Yes. We strongly encourage donors to consult a lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor when preparing or updating estate plans to ensure your wishes are properly reflected.