Canadian Charity Guide Wizard
Not sure which Canadian charity to leave a gift to in your Will? Pick a cause that matters to you, choose where you want the impact to land, and we'll surface a short list of well-known registered Canadian charities to investigate. You take it from there — no charity gets added to your Will via this guide.
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What cause matters most to you?
Pick the area you'd most like your gift to support. You can always come back and explore other causes.
How to use this guide
The wizard is intentionally lightweight. We don't collect any personal information, we don't ask you to commit to a charity here, and we don't add anything to your Will from this page. The goal is to give you a curated starting point so you can research a few charities and pick one (or two, or three) on your own terms.
Every charity on this list is a registered Canadian charity. Before you name a charity in your Will, confirm the full legal name and the CRA registration number directly with the charity — most have a legacy or planned-giving contact who is happy to help. The exact legal name matters: an ambiguous name in the bequest can be challenged.
Once you've picked a charity, return to the Will Creator and answer "Yes" at the charitable-gift question to record the bequest. The Will captures the legal essentials; the Life Discovery Kit captures the operational details (attribution, executor notes) so the gift actually reaches the charity smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a charity is registered in Canada?
Every registered Canadian charity has a CRA Business / Registration Number (looks like 123456789RR0001) and appears in the CRA's public Charities Listings. Search the registry at canada.ca to confirm before naming a charity in your Will or making a major gift.
Can I leave a gift to a charity that isn't on this list?
Yes. This guide is a curated starting point, not a directory. You can name any registered Canadian charity in your Will — just confirm the full legal name and CRA registration number with the charity directly so the bequest can't be challenged later.
Is naming a charity in my Will tax-efficient?
A charitable bequest can generate a tax credit on your estate's final return that often offsets a meaningful share of taxes owing — depending on your province and the structure of your estate. Speak to a tax professional or estate lawyer for specifics. Our charitable tax credit calculator gives a starting estimate.
What happens if the charity I name no longer exists when I die?
It's Simple Will's standard charitable bequest includes a 'gift-over' clause: if the named charity has ceased to exist or lost its registration, your trustee can direct the gift to a registered Canadian charity with the closest similar purpose. The clause is queued as a Sprint 4 PDF-template feature; the structural answer is documented in PLAN_ORGAN_DONOR_AND_CHARITY §3.4.
Should I tell the charity I've named them in my Will?
It's optional but often welcome — many charities have a legacy or planned-giving team that can help with the legal wording, confirm the registration number, and acknowledge your intentions. They will never pressure you to disclose the gift amount.
How is this list curated?
Editorial curation by It's Simple Will, weighted toward well-known registered Canadian charities with a clear national footprint or strong local presence. Charities can apply for inclusion via the 'List your charity' link at the bottom of the wizard. Listing is free; sponsored placement is a future revenue model.