Where is most of the money going?

First, animal charities received the largest amount of monetary bequests, totalling almost $88 million, followed by religious and community organizations (including hospital foundations) at $77 and $63.3 million, respectively.

Perhaps unsurprising to some, political parties and organizations received the least monetary bequests at $300,000.

For the specific gifts in each charity, the average monetary gift was greatest for hospital foundation, then education and international aid.

Meanwhile, animal, community and religious charities benefit from a larger number of smaller donations.

The average size of residual estate gifted across all charity sectors is 15%.

Animal charities featured in 2,367 unique wills and accounted for just over one-fifth (23%) and 21% of all residual gifts.

Empower your investments with Qtrade

Discover Qtrade's award-winning platform and take control of your financial future. With user-friendly tools, expert insights, and low fees, investing has never been easier.

Start Trading Today

Regional findings

LegalWills also found specific highlights in different regions across Canada:

  • Toronto has twice as many individual bequests as any other city in Canada — it also has the highest total bequest amount at over $50 million
  • Calgary has the second highest individual bequests at 768
  • Vancouver has the second highest total charitable bequests at almost $32 million
  • Fort Langley, B.C. has the largest single bequest amount of $2,000,000
  • Salt Spring Island, B.C. has the largest bequest amount on average at $102,860
Sponsored

Trade Smarter, Today

Build your own investment portfolio with the CIBC Investor's Edge online and mobile trading platform and enjoy low commissions. Get 100 free trades and $200 or more cash back until March 31, 2025.

Nicholas Sokic Contributor

Nicholas completed his master's in journalism and communications at Western University. Since then, he's worked as a reporter at the Financial Post, Healthing.ca, Sustainable Biz Canada and more. Aside from reporting, he also has experience in web production, social media management, photography and video production. His work can also be found in the Toronto Star, Yahoo Finance Canada, Electric Autonomy Canada and Exclaim among others.

Explore the latest articles

The brand names behind Costco's Kirkland brand

Costco Kirkland products range from food products — like maple syrup, lasagne and coffee — to consumer goods, with many manufactured by well-known brand-name companies

David Saric Associate Editor, Money.ca

Relatives can't afford the dead's final resting
Romana King

Single tax means I pay 45% more to raise my child
Leslie Kennedy

Using Warren Buffett's strategy to invest
Romana King

Disclaimer

The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.