Building a Legacy

The Vancouver Art Gallery Foundation was established in 1998 to build endowment funds to support the long-term objectives and operations of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Gallery staff and the Board of Directors of the Foundation are committed to ensuring that the intent and value of donor contributions are preserved in perpetuity. The Foundation, whose Directors serve on a volunteer basis, is chaired by Michael Audain, Chairman of Polygon Homes Ltd. The Vancouver Foundation manages the assets.

Estate Gifts

A gift through your estate to the Vancouver Art Gallery Foundation helps ensure that future generations will experience the power and wonder of the best in historical and contemporary art. An estate gift provides the donor with tax benefits while ensuring the long-term health of the Gallery.

It is important to the Vancouver Art Gallery to appropriately acknowledge donors who make endowments or other estate gifts. We thank our donors by listing their names in our Annual Report, in a prominent annual recognition advertisement in the Vancouver Sun and on our Donor Recognition Wall in the Gallery Forecourt. Donors who have made planned gifts that we are aware of are invited to attend special events at the Gallery.

In bequests or insurance policies it is best to identify the Foundation by its legal name, as follows: Vancouver Art Gallery Foundation, Vancouver, British Columbia

Sometimes there are costs associated with a bequest. You may wish to ensure that your bequest includes these costs, or you may wish to check with the Foundation first, to be sure that the Foundation is able to pay any related costs.

Planned-gift donors are encouraged to have their plans reviewed by their professional advisors and by the Gallery. All information pertaining to donors and donations received by the Foundation is considered absolutely confidential.

Named Endowments

If your gift is $100,000 or more, you may establish a named endowment fund through the Foundation. Named endowments may be established during your lifetime, or through a bequest. You may make a general endowment that will provide vital support to all areas of the Gallery and allow the Gallery to designate support to the area of greatest need. Alternatively, you may establish a special-purpose endowment in consultation with Gallery staff. Donors of Named Endowments receive permanent recognition through our published donor listings and will be acknowledged in perpetuity on the Gallery's Donor Recognition Wall. In addition, we welcome the opportunity to work with a donor to develop appropriate recognition specific to the particular gift.

For further information about Estate or Endowment Giving opportunities, contact the Director of the Development at 604.662.4700 or email development@vanartgallery.bc.ca