Legacy Giving: A Meaningful Way to Create Lasting Change
At StepStones for Youth, we envision a world where every young person, no matter their start in life, has the stability, support, and connections they need to thrive. By including StepStones in your estate plans, you can create a powerful legacy that helps vulnerable youth build strong connections, secure stable housing, complete their education, and pursue their dreams long into the future. Your planned gift reflects a legacy of stewardship, opening pathways to stability and belonging for generations of young people from foster care.
Contact us to start planning your legacy
Why Legacy Giving Matters
Create Long-Term Change
- Your legacy gift fuels our evidence-based programs that build lasting connections between youth and caring adults and helps young people transition successfully from child welfare to independent adulthood.
Support Sustainable Impact 
- Legacy gifts ensure StepStones has the resources needed to continue and expand our housing-stability supports, education and employment services, and mentorship programs for years to come.
Invest in Youth Who Need It Most
- Young people who age out of the child welfare system are at extreme risk of homelessness, poverty, and isolation. Your planned gift helps break the cycle and opens doors to opportunity.
Ways to Give & Options for Legacy Donors
Include StepStones in Your Will
A gift in your will, also known as a bequest, is one of the most impactful ways to support youth at StepStones for generations to come. By including StepStones in your estate plans, you help ensure long-term stability, care, and belonging for young people who need it most.
Making a charitable bequest is simple. You can choose to leave:
- A specific dollar amount
- A percentage of your estate
- The remainder of your estate after other gifts to loved ones have been made
Ask your lawyer or estate planner to include our legal name and charitable registration number when preparing or updating your will. Your bequest can typically be adjusted at any time and has no impact on your finances while you’re living.
Your legacy gift reflects your values, provides vulnerable youth with opportunities, and may also offer tax benefits to your estate.
Designated Funds & Memorial Gifts
- Establish a named legacy fund or give in honour or memory of a loved one. These gifts celebrate lives and directly support youth on their paths to stability and well-being.
Other Ways to Leave a Legacy
There are several planned giving options that support our work while meeting your financial and tax-planning goals including:
- Naming the charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, or life insurance policy
- Making a gift through life insurance during your lifetime or upon death
- Establishing other arrangements such as a charitable trust
These gifts are easy to arrange and can be updated at any time. We encourage you to speak with your financial or legal advisor to explore what might be right for you
How Your Legacy Will Help Youth
Your planned gift supports core elements of our work including:
Partner With Us to Leave a Legacy of Impact
Legacy giving ensures that the work we do together continues far into the future. Your thoughtfulness today becomes life-changing support for vulnerable young people tomorrow.
If you’re considering a legacy gift or simply have questions, we’d be honoured to hear from you.
Contact Us TO Start Planning Your Legacy
