By Mark Bull
President, Bull Financial

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tiffany Kift, Executive Director at Simcoe Hall Settlement House, to have a discussion surrounding the upcoming holiday season, about the important work they do and the impact they have in Oshawa.

From operating a food bank, to providing programs for youth and seniors and serving 13,000 individual hot meals throughout the year, Simcoe Hall Settlement House has provided help to those in need within and around Oshawa for over 90 years.

One point that Tiffany brought to my attention was that Simcoe Hall has seen a three times increase in demand for its food bank and food security programs alone over the last few years, all while relying on community generosity and the strength of their donor base; no government funding. It’s a challenging reality that highlights just how important community involvement and charitable giving have become to meet these increasing needs.

While donations help address immediate needs, thoughtful charitable giving strategies can go even further. One example would be donating life insurance contracts that are no longer needed, as was the case with clients of mine a few years ago. Endowments like these create opportunities for long-term financial support that can help charities like Simcoe Hall Settlement House continue their work for generations to come.

We also discussed what goes on behind the scenes, the day-to-day challenges of running a charitable organization, and the dedication it takes to continue providing essential services with increasingly limited resources.

I encourage you to watch our full conversation to learn more about Tiffany and Simcoe Hall Settlement House, the incredible work they continue to do, and how you can take control of your social capital through charitable giving strategies to make a lasting difference in our community.

The holiday season is upcoming, so it’s the perfect time to consider how you can help make an impact. If you watch this video and make a donation as a result, let Tiffany or myself know. For every donation, I pledge to match in kind. Let’s make a difference for families this Christmas. Expect more on this to come in the following weeks.

Alternatively, you can watch/follow the discussion on LinkedIn.

Mark Bull, MFA-P, CLU, CFP, CHS, CEA
President, Bull Financial
mark@bullfinancial.ca
905-576-0230

This is a general guide only and is not intended to replace professional financial and tax advice in any form. Please consult a professional financial advisor on how it relates to your situation. The information provided here is accurate as of the date of publication.