A convenient way to formalize and facilitate your charitable giving

The RBC Charitable Gift Program (CGP)

Establishing a charitable gift fund provides many of the same advantages as a private foundation—without the upfront costs, complexities and ongoing administration responsibilities. Learn how the RBC CGP can help make charitable giving easier for you and your family.

Shape and define your charitable giving

The RBC CGP is an efficient way to give to charity during your lifetime, from your estate, or both. Whether you want to help advance research, boost educational efforts, sustain environmental initiatives, support the arts or assist others, the RBC CGP combines immediate tax benefits¹ with the flexibility to support your favourite registered Canadian charities² over time and across generations.

“The RBC Charitable Gift Program is designed to make it easy to support charitable causes that are important to you, while complementing your overall wealth plan and providing potential tax benefits.”

About the program

The RBC CGP is designed for thoughtful, long-term gifts to charity without the time and costs associated with establishing a private foundation. The program is administered by Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation, an independent, non-profit registered charity registered as a public foundation with the Canada Revenue Agency.

How it works

Through the RBC CGP, you can make initial and ongoing donations to an individual charitable gift fund, which you can name. All administration is done by the program partner, Charitable Gift Funds Canada Foundation. The funds in your charitable gift fund remain invested with your trusted RBC advisor.

Establish your charitable gift fund as the founding donor.

  • An initial irrevocable donation (minimum $25,000) is made when the fund is established or planned in advance as an estate gift (a wide variety of gifts, including complex gifts-in-kind can be accepted)
  • The donor receives a tax receipt for the fair market value of the donation
  • Additional donations can be made at any time by anyone, as long as the amount is at least $250

Your donation is held and invested³ within your charitable gift fund.

  • Donated funds can grow in a tax-exempt manner
  • The funds are managed by your RBC advisor, allowing for a customized, balanced investment approach
  • Your RBC advisor continues to work closely with you to help ensure your charitable giving goals complement your overall wealth management approach and fit into your financial plan

Submit your grant requests for your chosen registered Canadian charities or qualified donees.

  • Grant requests must be a minimum of $250
  • Grant requests are unlimited, can be automated or made on-demand
  • You can name grant advisors—persons who can also make grant requests from your charitable gift fund
  • Grant amounts and recipients can differ with each grant request

Your charitable legacy will continue.

  • Plan for an estate gift without needing to make a donation now
  • Name a fund successor to take over oversight of the account (similar to yours as the founding donor), once the founding donor has passed

Without a named fund successor, the foundation will continue to administer your charitable gift fund and award grants according to your legacy intentions.

Make a lasting difference

Talk with an RBC Wealth Management advisor about how the RBC Charitable Gift Program can help enhance your philanthropy.

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  1. Making a contribution into a charitable gift fund (CGF) within the RBC Charitable Giving Program (CGP) is irrevocable. Before making a charitable gift, clients should consult with their RBC advisor and a qualified tax advisor as to how a donation will impact their financial situation.
  2. Charities/causes refers to qualified donees. Qualified donees are organizations that can issue official donation receipts for gifts they receive from individuals and corporations. Qualified donees are eligible to receive grants from charitable gift funds.
  3. Fees: Reach out to your RBC advisor to learn more about the fee schedule.