We are pleased to be a Signatory of the Canadian Investor Statement on Climate Change. Read the full Statement here: https://www.riacanada.ca/investor-statement-climate-change/Read more
Latest News
Posted: October 13, 2021
About this Webinar: A Tax-Efficient Way to Give Did you know, when you sell publicly traded securities privately, you are taxed on 50% of the capital gains? However, if you give the securities directly to charity as a gift-in-kind, you pay no tax on the capital gains and receive a donation tax receipt for their full market value. Join Greg Kippers, CFP as he explains how to give a gift of publicly traded securities to a charity of your choice. Learn when it may be best for you to provide this gift - now, in the future, or through a gift in your Will. Time will also be provided for Q&A regarding this or other financial planning questions you may have. Hosted by ELFEC (Lutheran Foundation of the ELCIC), the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, and the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. Date and time Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT Click to Register HereRead more
Posted: October 12, 2021
ELFEC is delighted to announce its tradition of socially impactful investments, which keeps with its faith-based, ethical investment paradigm, continues with recent support being offered to Indwell Community Homes. Indwell is a Hamilton-based charitable organization which has a long and successful track-record of creating and operating affordable housing communities that support people seeking, health, wellness and belonging. Indwell’s affordable housing programs primarily support individuals with low incomes and disabilities (primarily mental health). “Through a multi-year investment ELFEC has provided meaningful support to address a range of issues that are important to ELFEC and our partners which includes helping to find shelter for some of our most vulnerable citizens” said, ELFEC Chair, Mr. Bill Gastmeier. Full ReleaseRead more
Posted: October 1, 2021
We’re looking forward to connecting with you this Fall with monthly Planned Giving webinars. This is a sneak peak of what is coming up. November 9 – We join with the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) to discuss financial planning now and for the future , especially designed for people 50 or better. Topics covered will include government programs and things to think about as you approach retirement and beyond. Register here. December 7 – Many people want to help their favourite charity or cause by providing a gift through their Will but worry it will take away from what they leave for their family or friends. Learn how you can have it both ways by giving in your Will. Your Gift of a Lifetime: Providing a Charitable Gift Through Your Will, with Jennifer Stebbing, Lawyer at Ross and McBride LLP. Register here. For additional details, contact: Kathryn Smith, Giving Advisor | ksmith@elfec.ca | 519-831-3427 or toll free at 1-888-308-9461Read more
Posted: September 27, 2021
You have more power to make a difference to your church and your community than you may realize. Even leaving a small portion of your estate in your Will to support the mission of your congregation can result in a bigger contribution than you ever thought possible, while still supporting those you love. In short, you can do both ! ELFEC is excited to share that it has partnered with Will Power, a national effort to show Canadians the power they have to do more with their Will. We encourage you to try out the easy to use legacy calculator on our Will Power page, https://www.willpower.ca/charities/elfec to see how a gift in your Will can support and strengthen the ministries you most deeply care about. You may be surprised to see that a gift of even 1% left to your congregation or the wider church in your Will can have an enormous impact, while still leaving 99% of your estate for loved ones. There are many benefits to giving in this way, including some potentially significant tax savings. Take a look at the free resources and tools on the Will Power website to learn about better ways to give , and connect with financial advisors to discuss how to maximize your donations. If you have questions about supporting the mission of your congregation or the wider church through ELFEC, please don’t hesitate to connect with ELFEC today at ksmith@elfec.ca or by calling 1-888-308-9461 x2. ELFEC is here to help. Kathryn Smith | Giving Advisor | ksmith@elfec.ca | 1-888-308-9461 x2 P.S. Did you know that you direct how you want your gift to be used? Your gift, made in faith, hope and love, will continue to make a difference. Learn more by visiting our Will Power page here https://www.willpower.ca/charities/elfecRead more
Posted: September 1, 2021
ELFEC has partnered, along with many of Canada’s most important charities, with Will Power, a national movement to educate Canadians on the power they have to continue making a difference to their church and communities through their Wills. To learn more visit here.Read more
Posted: July 5, 2021
ELFEC Programs and Services Clearly Resonating with Stakeholders ELFEC is delighted to announce that we surpassed $60M in assets under management this month with the support of Canadians across the country. Having passed the $50M milestone in the fourth quarter of 2020, ELFEC continues to grow, even amidst the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. “This significant milestone speaks strongly of the programs and services we offer Canadian charities around ethical investment, fundraising and charitable work” said volunteer board Chairman, Mr. Bill Gastmeier. “ELFEC’s achievements are all the more noteworthy when you consider that our work is managed by a small part-time team of staff and management supported by a dedicated group of leadership volunteers.” “Buoyed both by organic growth and strong investment returns, the $60 million dollars in managed assets is a clear validation of the importance of ELFEC’s role and speaks to the charitable intentions and goals held by so many Canadians” reports Lee Gould, the foundation’s Executive Director. A vision of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), ELFEC has been supporting Canadian charities from coast-to-coast, disbursing over fifteen-million dollars over the past decade and offering expert services. In addition to robust ethical investment programs, ELFEC offers fund development support services including strategic planning, coaching and active fundraising such as planned giving through its Lutheran Planned Giving (LPG) initiatives. Further details available here.Read more
Posted: April 15, 2021
New Stakeholder Recognition Program from ELFEC ELFEC would not be the successful, growing, and innovative charity that it is without the support of partners, donors and other stakeholders. With this in mind ELFEC is pleased to introduce its “Giving Circle” recognition program that is centered around “thanking” people in a way the charitable organization hopes balances recognition with a desire to maximize the usefulness and purpose of the donations and other investments that are provided to ELFEC. “ELFEC truly cares about the people we service and work with. In past years ELFEC has organized a recognition lunch event and delighted in the opportunity to invite donors and others to be thanked in a very personal way; but because of the global pandemic and public health concerns, ELFEC got creative and introduced a ‘giving circle’”, said Kathryn Smith, ELFEC’s Giving Advisor expert. “My role often focuses around supporting the philanthropic goals of people through planned or legacy giving which enables charitably-minded individuals to make larger gifts to the church than they could make typically from ordinary income using estate planning and securities (stocks and bonds)” shared Kathryn. “ELFEC’s new Giving Circle recognizes planned giving donors and others” she added. The ELFEC Giving Circle is part of a broader effort surrounding donor recognition and stewardship. The below image will be used to produce recognition lapel pins and with communications collateral. “The Luther Rose imagery is foundational and recognizes ELFEC’s roots in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The stylized five (5) human silhouettes or petals represent the five (5) Synods within the ELCIC but also the human condition and the ‘people-focused’ work of ELFEC. The five stylized people (Synods) are supporting a stylized heart which is at the centre and represents, “faith”, “love” and “philanthropy” that is central to the charitable programs and services which ELFEC is delivering,” asserted Smith. Further details available here.Read more
Posted: February 9, 2021
ELFEC and the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa are pleased to present a series of free webinars in 2021 highlighting different aspects of Planned Giving. Explore different avenues of leaving a gift (or gifts!) to the charities of your choice. Join us at our next webinar offering: Beyond Bequests: Exploring Giving Vehicle Options Date: March 23, 2021 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (Eastern Time Zone) To register: click here We will be answering: What are some of the options for leaving a gift to a charity? Can I leave the proceeds of a life insurance policy to a charity? What is a Donor Advised Fund and how does it work? Can I name my church as a beneficiary on my RRSP or RRIF? What is a Charitable Remainder Trust? Who do I speak with? Life Insurance, Annuities, proceeds from an RRSP or RRIF, Charitable Remainder Trust, Donor Advised Funds - these are all options available to people who wish to meet their philanthropic goal by leaving a gift to their local congregation, the wider church, or another charity. While each person’s situation is unique, these are some of the common ways people provide a charitable gift beyond a bequest in a Will. After the presentation, there will be a time for people to ask questions. As well, anyone who registers will receive a recorded copy of the presentation. Still to come in 2021 : May – Leave a Legacy – how do you want to be remembered? September – Donations in Kind: the gift of investments October – Financial Planning, in conjunction with the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE) November – Make Your Will – what do you need to know?Read more
Posted: January 20, 2021
Q4 2020 saw engagement with 8 companies held within our portfolio. Themes discussed included Climate Transition, Decent Work & Human Rights and Reconciliation. A full report by company is available here .Read more