Gift of Land
Gift of Land or Real Estate
Create lasting impact by donating land, real estate, or other property to support FAD Foundation’s mission.
A gift of land or real estate can be a meaningful way to support FAD Foundation while also serving broader charitable, financial, and estate-planning goals. For some donors, property represents one of their most significant assets, and donating that asset can create long-term impact beyond what may be possible through cash giving alone.
At FAD Foundation, we welcome confidential conversations with donors who are interested in exploring whether a gift of land, real estate, or other property may be an appropriate way to support our work.
What Types of Property May Be Considered?
Depending on the circumstances and FAD Foundation’s gift-acceptance process, examples of property that may potentially be considered include:
- Residential real estate
- Cottages or vacation properties
- Commercial property
- Undeveloped land
- Other qualifying property assets
The Canadian Red Cross explicitly lists houses, cottages, and commercial buildings as examples of real estate gifts, while major charities such as SickKids also include real estate among substantial property-gift options.
How a Gift of Land May Work
Outright Gift
The donor transfers the property directly to the charity.Gift Through a Will
The donor includes the property in a will or estate plan.Retained Use or Life Interest
In some structures, a donor may transfer an interest in property while continuing to use it during life.Gift as Part of a Broader Planned-Giving Strategy
A gift of real estate may sometimes be combined with trusts, estate planning, or other charitable arrangements. SickKids notes that property may be given outright, placed in trust, or gifted by will, while The Nature Conservancy describes outright gifts, retained-life-estate arrangements, and gifts through wills or trusts.
Important Considerations
A gift of land or real estate is not the same as a standard cash donation. It may involve:
- Independent valuation or appraisal
- Legal review
- Due diligence
- Potential environmental or title review
- Tax planning
- Timing considerations
The Canadian Red Cross states that fair market value must be established and that an independent evaluation may be required. The Nature Conservancy says each real-estate gift goes through due diligence and may take several months before ownership transfers.
For this reason, FAD Foundation should strongly encourage prospective donors to speak with their own legal, financial, and tax advisors before making a final decision.
Acceptance of Property Gifts
Not every property is suitable for every charity. As a matter of good governance, property gifts should be reviewed individually to ensure they are aligned with the organization’s mission, practical capacity, legal obligations, and donor intent.
For FAD Foundation, any proposed gift of land or real estate should therefore be subject to review and approval before acceptance is confirmed.
Why This Kind of Gift Matters
A gift of land or real estate can help FAD Foundation strengthen long-term impact across its mission areas. Rather than supporting only a short-term campaign, this type of gift can contribute to a broader legacy of community support, education, inclusion, opportunity, and practical development-focused work.
It can also give donors an opportunity to align a major asset with values they care deeply about, while potentially creating tax or estate-planning advantages depending on their circumstances.