Telling the Story to Future Generations
Generation after generation of Christians have worked together to serve Christ’s mission in the world, and the Church has been sustained by their devoted commitment.
You too have participated in this ongoing ministry as you have given of your time, energy, and resources in serving the Lord. Like many people, you want Christian service to continue beyond your lifetime. With a legacy gift, you can support that future.
What is a Legacy Gift?
A legacy gift is a charitable donation planned for today through your will or trust. Upon your death, the estate makes the donation according to your instructions.
Why Acadia Divinity College?
As ministry continues to respond to our rapidly changing culture, the need to train those called to serve is greater than ever. The financial support of donors, including legacy gifts, is critical to Acadia Divinity College as we strive to equip Christians to serve the mission of God in church and world with transformative impact.
By planning an estate gift today, you will help ensure accessible and affordable training for the church leaders of tomorrow, and you will tell the story of the Lord’s mighty acts to the next generation.
The ADC Story
From our roots in the beginning of the 19th century, Acadia Divinity College continues its legacy of changing with purpose. As the seminary of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and the Faculty of Theology for Acadia University, ADC has built on the faith of countless individuals to distinguish the College as a diverse, creative, and forward-thinking academic institution.
Offering full-time and part-time degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as continuing education options, our students are challenged to cultivate their calling. Through rigorous intellectual instruction, meaningful spiritual formation, and practical ministry experience, ADC equips students to serve the Lord in today’s increasingly complex and changing world.
Our history inspires us to look forward to how purposeful change today will faithfully transform the ministries of tomorrow
“I have decided to include Acadia Divinity College in my will both to honour my loved ones and to ensure our churches have equipped leaders.”
Ms. Ella B McLeod, Penobsquis, NB.
Your Story
Your legacy gift will become part of your story about how the Lord blessed you. There is no minimum donation; you do not need to be wealthy to leave a legacy.
Your gift to Acadia Divinity College can specify an area of ministry that is meaningful to you. Examples are:
- Teaching in areas such as preaching, pastoral care, Biblical studies, Christian history, theology.
- Continuing education through academic centres, lectureships, research.
- College operations including library resources, physical spaces.
- Student support through scholarships, bursaries, prizes, awards, emergency aid for targeted groups of students..
Your gift to Acadia Divinity College can be undesignated and will be used for the greatest need at that time.
Your gift can honour someone special to you as a lasting tribute by establishing a fund in their name. A named fund also gives you an opportunity to tell their story.
Discover Legacy Stories
Acadia Divinity College granted $3 million to endow the William and Virginia Leach Chair of Pastoral Psychology
Celebrating the Life of Josephine McLellan Nickerson
“I’m excited to say that I’ve officially completed my Master of Divinity debt-free! My wife and I have sought to steward our finances as well as possible over the past three years, but this would not have been possible without the support of our donors, for which I am so thankful.
I cannot thank you enough. Your generosity has made a huge difference in our lives!”
~Jeremy Vincent MDiv ‘21
Ways to Give a Legacy Gift
Bequest in Your Will
A gift in your will may be the most significant gift you will ever make, yet there is no cost to you during your lifetime. This is commonly done by leaving a percentage of your estate and/or a percentage of the residual amount to a charity.
Securities
Donating publicly-traded securities or mutual funds in your will may give your estate a double tax benefit. Your estate may avoid any capital gains tax from the sale of appreciated securities and receive a charitable tax receipt for the full market value of the security.
Retirement Funds
ADC can be named the beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF or TFSA. Doing so allows the gift to pass outside your estate, avoiding probate tax.
Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance allows you to make small regular gifts now that turn into a significant gift in your estate. You can purchase a new policy and name ADC as the owner, donate an existing policy, or name ADC as the beneficiary of a current policy.
Legacy gifts often have financial benefits to the donor and their estate.
Your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt for your gift which may help lower estate taxes.
We recommend that you consult an accountant or financial advisor concerning a legacy gift.
Next Steps
- Prayerfully consider supporting ADC with a legacy gift through your will. You may decide to leave a fixed sum to the College, a percentage of your estate, or the residue that remains once you have taken care of your loved ones.
- Meet with a member of our Development Team at ADC to share your plan for a legacy gift and create a Donor Gift Agreement with specific instructions about how your donation is to be used.
- Consult an accountant, financial advisor, or lawyer to decide the best way for you to provide a legacy gift to ADC.
If you have already remembered ADC through your estate, please let us know. Informing ADC of your plan allows the College to better prepare for the future, which itself is a gift.