Common Questions

Thank you for walking with men, women and children who need food, shelter, vital community resources or addiction treatment.

If you’re considering making House of Friendship a part of your legacy, we know you might have some questions. You may have a question that someone has already asked – so, we’re sharing some of the most frequently asked questions with you. If you can’t find the answer to your question below, please don’t hesitate to contact Joanne Adair, our Development Manager. Her contact information is at the bottom of this page.

Who can leave a gift in their will?

Many people think including a gift to charity in their will is something only the wealthy can do. That isn’t true at all! Most of us don’t have a lot of cash to give today, but we may have assets that we won’t need after we’re gone. Anyone can leave a gift of any size in their will to a cause they are passionate about. Nearly 1.5 million Canadians already have. After you’ve ensured your loved ones are provide for, you can make a gift in your will to ensure that your compassion for your neighbours lives on. It’s as simple as that.

Isn’t it better to help now, and not later?

A gift in your will offers a different way of providing for those in need in our community. It is often a way for you to give much more than you would be able to in your lifetime. That’s because a gift in your will includes all of your assets – including things like real estate or investments, which are often overlooked when you think about how much money you have. When you think about your estate, you will likely find that your total net worth is more than you thought. This means you can have a bigger impact in our community than you ever thought possible.

Why is it important to leave a gift to charity in my will?

A gift in your will is important for two reasons. First and foremost, it’s a way for you to leave a lasting footprint of kindness and compassion on the world. Donors often tell us how wonderful they feel to know that they can continue to walk with those in need, even after they’re gone.

Second, it creates vital funding to ensure that the urgent needs of those who are struggling will be met. Gifts in wills, or what is also known as a charitable bequest, can create a lasting change that will give everyone in our community somewhere to belong.

How will House of Friendship use my gift?

We promise to use your gift wisely and carefully, to give people the chance to connect and thrive. Your gift could feed someone who had to choose between paying their heating bill or buying groceries. It could provide shelter to someone who would otherwise sleep outside. It could help someone walk away from an addiction. It could change the odds for children. The possibilities of what you can achieve are enormous.

How can I leave a gift to charity and provide for my loved ones?

There are lots of ways to make sure your loved ones are taken care of along with remembering a charity in your will. A popular option is called a residual gift. That means you take care of your family, friends, and neighbours first, along with any debts, before leaving whatever is left to your charities of choice.

What if I already have a will?

If you already have a will, and you’d like to add a gift to House of Friendship, you can use special legal document called a codicil to amend your will. To see sample codicil language, please go to our section on updating your will.

Need More Information? We’d Love to Hear From You!

If you would like to discuss what the best giving option is for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Joanne Adair, our Development Manager, will be pleased to support you through the process of making your gift to House of Friendship.

Phone: 519.742.8327 x 137

Email: JoanneA@houseoffriendship.org

As the Canada Post strike continues, it is having a significant impact. Here’s how you can help:

  • Make a secure online donation at houseoffriendship.org/donate
  • Call Keke at 519-742-8327 x 131 – she will be happy to assist you!
  • Drop by in person – come visit us at 3A-236 Victoria St. N. in Kitchener

Your support is critical during this  challenging time!