This Giving Season, Families Are Rethinking Legacy: What They Give, Who They Support, and Why

As the year draws to a close, families often slow down and look back on the choices that shaped their year. Giving Season creates space for questions that sometimes get overlooked in the busyness of day-to-day life: What impact did we have? Who did we support? What do we want to continue building together?

Although charitable giving happens throughout the year, this season invites people to revisit their intentions, talk about values, and consider where they want to make an impact. The conversations we hear at this time are thoughtful and grounded in purpose: How can we help? What matters most to us? What legacy do we want to build?

What Giving Season Often Inspires

This time of year encourages families to look closely at how and why they give. It often becomes a moment to:

• Reflect on the causes they supported throughout the year
• Complete year-end grants
• Bring younger family members into conversations about values and giving
• Align charitable activity with long-term financial and estate planning

This is often where the Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation (NWPGF) plays a meaningful role. Many families want to give with intention, but also appreciate a simple, organized way to manage their contributions. The Foundation helps create that structure by allowing donors to make one contribution, receive an immediate tax receipt, and then take their time deciding which charities to support.

It also offers support for families who are looking for clarity around their giving, helping them think through when to give, how to align donations with their values, and how charitable decisions fit into their broader planning.

By covering all administrative fees, the Foundation ensure that contributions are directed entirely to the charities clients choose.

How Families Chose to Give This Year

NWPGF offers a simple structure for families who want an organized and intentional approach to giving. The Foundation allows donors to plan contributions at their own pace and direct grants to the causes that reflect their priorities.

Through this approach:

• Last year, clients supported nearly 1,000 charities and contributed more than $39.5 million.
• Year-to-date, clients have already granted $36 million to more than 1,100 charities.

The range of giving reflects a wide range of interests, including health care, housing, education, research, food security, community development, and more. Each contribution represents a deliberate choice to strengthen the work of organizations that are making a difference.

Living Our Values Through Share the Pie

Share the Pie is one of the values that continually guides our firm. At its core is the belief that success should create positive outcomes for others. This value is reflected in many ways, including the firm’s own charitable contributions and the support we offer families who want to give with intention.

For many clients, giving is also a way to talk with younger family members about values, stewardship, and decision-making. These conversations often become the foundation of a long-term family legacy.

Employee-Led Community Initiatives

Our colleagues also contribute meaningfully to community initiatives. Recently, employees participated in programs such as:

Movember: Supporting men’s health

Each year, a group of employees known as the “Moustacheers” participate in Movember to raise funds and awareness for men’s health initiatives. In 2024, the team raised more than $106,000, placing them among the top fundraising groups in Canada.

The initiative builds awareness around men’s physical and mental health and encourages open conversations about issues that often go unaddressed.

Covenant House Sleep Out: Raising funds for youth experiencing homelessness

Nicola Wealth team members also joined the Covenant House Sleep Out: Executive Edition. Participants spent one night outside to raise awareness of youth homelessness and to support Covenant House’s critical programs.

Together, they raised $198,330 in 2024 to help provide shelter, counselling, and long-term support for young people facing instability.

The Ripple Effect of Generosity

Whether families support the same organizations year after year or explore new areas of impact in response to emerging needs, every act of giving contributes to a larger ripple effect. Consistent support helps charities plan ahead, expand programs, and respond to changing community needs.

Building on This Year’s Impact

As families finalize their year-end contributions, many are asking meaningful questions about how they want to give, what impact they want to have, and how their values can shape their legacy. These conversations will continue into 2026 as communities evolve and needs shift.

To our clients, colleagues, and partners, thank you for your generosity throughout 2025. Your care and commitment strengthen communities across the country and reflect the values that define our Nicola Wealth community.