Leave a Legacy: Join the John Rae Society

"John taught many of us the true meaning of advocacy. The sense of justice that motivated him to work so hard is something we will all remember." --Alan Conway

The John Rae Society was established to honour one of AEBC’s important founders and to carry forward John Rae’s unwavering commitment to equality, accessibility, and human rights for blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians. By joining the John Rae Society, you link your own personal legacy with John’s vision of a country where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully.

We know that not everyone can give as much as they might wish during their lifetime. Life brings competing responsibilities, financial pressures, and unexpected turns. Legacy giving provides another path. It allows you to support AEBC’s mission through allocating a future gift in your estate plan.

For those who care deeply about advocacy, rights, and inclusion, a legacy gift can be a powerful statement. It says that you believe the work of AEBC must continue — not just today, but for generations to come. By planning for your future, you are also supporting AEBC’s long-term sustainability.

Whether large or modest, every legacy gift strengthens the foundation of our movement. Together, these commitments provide the stability AEBC needs to keep fighting for accessibility, building awareness, and supporting our community well into the future.

What is Legacy Giving

Legacy Giving, sometimes also called Planned Giving, is a commitment made today, that will benefit the organization you care about – in the future.

It’s “planned” because it takes some advance thought and preparation; you may need to consult a lawyer or your financial planner or for simple estates using online wills software,

watch for the appropriate section that addresses legacy gifts.

It is also extremely important for everyone to have a will in place and if you have not yet done so, this might be your moment to address that. An estate plan allows you to control the distribution of your assets and appoint an executor to manage your estate. Without a will, your wishes may not be followed. Your plan should also include Powers of Attorney for both Personal Care and your Property.

A legacy gift means leaving something to AEBC in your will or future plans. It could be money, insurance, or other assets such as securities. It's an easy planned gift because it requires no changes to your current finances and can be easily modified.

Planned Giving: The John Rae Society

Legacy giving helps ensure the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) can continue advocating for accessibility, equality, and human rights for blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians. The John Rae Society honours individuals who make this commitment through planned gifts.

The John Rae Society honours those who include AEBC in their will or estate plans. Named after one of our founders, it reflects his lifelong fight for equality and accessibility. For those who want to make a lasting difference, it’s a powerful way to protect your future and ours. By planning today, you help ensure AEBC can continue advocating for blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians for generations to come.

Legacy Gifts to the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians

Leaving a legacy gift to AEBC is a meaningful way to ensure your values live on. Your gift will strengthen our ability to advocate, support, and build awareness for future generations of blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians.

Legacy donors are welcomed into the John Rae Society, where we recognize and celebrate your generosity and foresight.

Together, we can build a future of equality and inclusion for all.

Joining the society is easy, let AEBC know that you have or are planning to give a planned gift.  By keeping us informed, you will be helping us plan for the future.

A Legacy Gift in Your Will

Including AEBC in your will is one of the most powerful ways to ensure our advocacy and programs continue. It’s simple to do, and it allows you to make a lasting impact without affecting your finances during your lifetime. Writing a will is an important and thoughtful way for you to show your loved ones how much you care. It is also an opportunity to make a powerful impact and leave a lasting legacy that resonates for future generations.

There are several options to leave a legacy gift to AEBC, each offering unique advantages depending on your circumstances:

• A Gift in Your Will – a bequest of money, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate.

• Life Insurance – name AEBC as the beneficiary of a new or existing policy.

• RRSPs, RRIFs or Pensions – designate AEBC as a beneficiary of retirement savings.

• Gifts of Property or Securities – transfer assets such as real estate or publicly traded securities.

Your will should be made in consultation with a lawyer or estate professional to ensure the document is legally binding and accurately expresses your wishes while maximizing the tax benefits to your estate.

Sample Will Wording:

“I give to the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, charitable registration number 895648335 RR0001 the sum of $____ (or ___% of my estate, or the residue of my estate) to be used at the discretion of the organization.”

Creating Your Legacy Gift in 3 Easy Steps

1. Decide on your legacy. Consider how you want your gift to make an impact.

2. Talk to your advisor. Discuss the best way to include AEBC in your estate plans. Alternatively, consider using an online will system. Two popular Canadian providers are wilful.co or legawills.ca.

3. Let us know. Share your plans with us so we can thank you and welcome you into the John Rae Society.

By joining the John Rae Society, you’ll be part of a community of supporters committed to ensuring a stronger, more inclusive future for blind, Deafblind, and partially sighted Canadians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be rich to leave money in my will?

Not at all. Most legacy gifts come from people of ordinary means who simply want to make a difference. Your gift can be any size and can often add up to more than you might be able to give while you’re managing living expenses.

What if I want to make sure my family is taken care of first?

Of course, your family comes first. But including a charity like AEBC in your will doesn’t mean leaving less for your loved ones. A carefully planned legacy gift can sometimes even increase what your family receives, depending on your tax situation. Most children and family members understand how important AEBC’s mission is to you and would take pride in helping to honour your commitment.

Aren’t wills expensive?

Not anymore. There are many affordable and even online options for writing a legal will. If your estate includes things like property, insurance policies, or investments, it may be wise to speak with a lawyer—but most people don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to prepare a proper will. Having one in place will save your family time, stress, and confusion later on.

What if I already have a will?

You can add AEBC with a simple update called a codicil, without rewriting the whole document. Your lawyer or notary can help you add AEBC as a beneficiary, or you can use an online will service that offers easy updates.

Does AEBC have an endowment fund?

No. AEBC does not have an endowment fund and is not planning to create one. While endowments can be effective for large institutions like hospitals and universities, AEBC focuses on using gifts when they are received in order to achieve the greatest possible impact. A gift that can be put to work right away helps the most people and strengthens our advocacy, training, and peer support programs for the future.

If you have more questions or are ready to join the John Rae Society now, please reach out to our Executive Director, Lee Pigeau for a confidential conversation at execdir@blindcanadians.ca

Read more thoughts from our members on the legacy that John Rae left behind.