Your property can build a legacy far beyond bricks and mortar.
Gifting real estate—such as a home, vacation property, rental unit, or land—can offer substantial tax benefits and create lasting impact. Whether given now or through your estate, real estate gifts reduce capital gains tax and provide a charitable tax receipt for fair market value.
Real Estate
What You Can Give:
Alberta Ballet gratefully accepts a wide range of real estate gifts. Whether you’re considering a current gift, a future gift through your will, or a more structured approach like a charitable remainder trust, we can help guide you through the process and ensure your gift aligns with both your financial situation and your legacy goals.
Gifts of property may include:
primary residence
vacation home such as a cabin or seasonal property
rental properties that generate income
undeveloped land held for future use or investment
commercial real estate like office buildings or retail space.
Deciding How to Make a Real Estate Donation
How You Can Give:
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Donate your property today and receive a full tax receipt.
You transfer full legal ownership of a home, land, or other real estate to Alberta Ballet immediately. You receive a charitable tax receipt for the fair market value, and we assume responsibility for the property. This is the simplest and most direct form of real estate giving.Steps:
Start by contacting Alberta Ballet’s gift planning team. We’ll discuss your goals, assess gift feasibility, and provide information for your professional advisors.
Obtain an independent, qualified appraisal of your property’s fair market value for tax receipting purposes.
We conduct a due diligence review, including a title search, site inspection, and (if required) environmental assessment.
Enter into a formal Gift Agreement outlining terms of the donation and transfer.
Transfer title to Alberta Ballet through your lawyer. A charitable tax receipt is issued for the appraised value.
Capital Gains Implications: You are deemed to have disposed of the property at fair market value, which may trigger capital gains tax on any appreciation. However, you receive a charitable tax receipt for the full value, which can help offset the tax. T4037 Capital Gains Guide – CRA
Recommended Forms:
Gift of Real Estate Agreement Template (provided by Alberta Ballet)
Independent Property Appraisal (arranged by donor)
Property Disclosure Form (completed jointly)
Environmental Site Assessment (if applicable)
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Keep living in your home while securing a tax benefit now.
You legally transfer ownership of your property to Alberta Ballet today but retain the right to live in or use the property for the rest of your life (Gift of Residual Interest). You receive a tax receipt for the present value of the future gift, and we take full possession upon your passing or after a specified term.Steps:
Meet with Alberta Ballet’s gift planning team to explore whether a residual interest gift aligns with your plans.
We provide a sample Deed of Gift and walk through appraisal and legal requirements for your advisors.
Obtain a third-party appraisal of the present value of the residual interest (this is used for the tax receipt).
Execute a Residual Interest Agreement with Alberta Ballet and register it legally.
Continue living in or using the property. The title transfers to Alberta Ballet upon your death.
Recommended Forms:
Residual Interest Agreement Template (provided)
Property Appraisal of Present Value of Future Interest (donor’s responsibility)
Legal Counsel Acknowledgment Form (for all parties)
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Keep earning income from your rental property—for life.
You transfer a rental or income-producing property into a trust that names Alberta Ballet as the beneficiary (Charitable Remainder Trust CRT). You retain income from the asset during your lifetime and receive a tax receipt today for the present value of our future share. We receive the asset when the trust ends.Steps:
Contact Alberta Ballet to review your objectives and receive guidance for your financial and legal advisors.
Work with your professional advisor to establish a Charitable Remainder Trust and designate Alberta Ballet as the beneficiary.
Transfer ownership of the property into the trust. You retain income rights for life.
Submit an independent actuarial valuation of the remainder interest for charitable receipting.
The trust passes the property to Alberta Ballet after your death.
Recommended Forms:
CRT Template Language (for use by donor’s lawyer)
Alberta Ballet CRT Intake Summary (for gift planning team records)
Actuarial Valuation Report (donor’s responsibility)
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Include your property in your will—no disruption today.
You name Alberta Ballet in your will to receive a property upon your death. This allows you to retain full control and use during your lifetime, while creating future impact. Your estate will receive a charitable tax receipt, reducing probate and estate taxes.Steps:
Connect with Alberta Ballet to review the property and confirm its suitability before updating your will.
We can provide sample bequest language and coordinate with your legal representative if desired.
Work with your lawyer to include Alberta Ballet in your will as a beneficiary of the specified property.
Inform us of your bequest. This allows us to plan for the future and recognize your gift appropriately.
Upon your death, your estate transfers the property to Alberta Ballet and receives a charitable tax receipt.
Recommended Forms:
Sample Will Addendum or Bequest Language
Notification of Planned Gift Form (optional, confidential)
Gift Acceptance Pre-Review Form (used internally for suitability review)
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Sell the property and donate some or all of the proceeds.
If you’re not ready to donate a property directly, you can still make a meaningful impact by donating a portion of the proceeds from its sale. This option allows you to sell the property on the open market, realize its full value, and then contribute part or all of the net proceeds to Alberta Ballet. You’ll still be eligible for a charitable tax receipt based on the amount donated, and this approach may simplify the transaction while preserving flexibility. Whether it’s your intention to support us immediately or through a future estate plan, we can help coordinate the process and ensure your gift is recognized meaningfully.Steps
Start by speaking with Alberta Ballet to learn how your gift can be structured before listing the property.
Decide with your advisor how much of the proceeds you wish to donate and how the gift will be timed.
Complete the sale through your realtor and lawyer.
Transfer the proceeds (as a lump sum or multi-year pledge) to Alberta Ballet.
Receive a charitable tax receipt for the donated amount.
Recommended Forms:
Pledge Agreement Form (if gift spans multiple years)
Gift Notification Letter (confirming donor intent)
Donor Recognition Preferences Form
Giving Option | When Do You Want to Give? | Do You Want to Keep Using the Property? | Do You Want to Keep Receiving Income from the Property? | When Do You Get a Tax Receipt? | Legal Documents Needed |
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Outright Gift | Now | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Now | Deed transfer, Gift agreement |
Gift of Residual Interest | Now | ✅ Yes (for life or term) | ❌ No | ✅ Now (for future value) | Residual interest agreement, appraisal |
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) | Now (into a trust) | ✅ Usually, but for rental use | ✅ Yes | ✅ Now (for future remainder value) | Trust agreement, appraisal, legal review |
Bequest of Real Estate | Upon death (via your will) | ✅ Yes (until death) | ✅ Yes (until death) | ✅ After death (estate receives it) | Will addendum or clause, estate planning |