Ottawa, ON, April 11, 2007 – The Canadian Association of Gift Planners/Association canadienne des professionnels en dons planifiés is pleased to announce new funding from Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life directly supporting LEAVE A LEGACY™ programs across the country.

Building on previous support, new funding will provide financial support for public awareness activities and materials that will be available to local charities and interested organizations across Canada. It will also support a pre-conference strategic planning forum for LEAVE A LEGACY™ volunteer chairs as well as start-up grants to new LEAVE A LEGACY™ programs in additional communities.

“CAGP will manage and allocate these funds through a grant process to support as many as 19 LEAVE A LEGACY™ Committees across Canada, enabling these communities to take their messaging to the next level, reaching more and more Canadians,” said Diane MacDonald, Executive Director of the CAGP.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life welcomed the opportunity to enhance their involvement with the LEAVE A LEGACY™ program. As National Development Sponsor, the companies had provided funding for a series of cross-Canada information sessions for the public, as well as charities, financial advisors and allied professionals. The company also provided, and will continue to provide, funding for CAGP's national infrastructure, including a coordinator position to support planned giving across Canada, and the ongoing development of standardized national educational and communication materials available in print and electronic formats.

“Thanks to LEAVE A LEGACY™, a growing number of people are considering the personal and societal benefits of leaving contributions to charities through their estates,” said Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs, for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “This national sponsorship is an effective way for us to indirectly impact a broad spectrum of charities and community causes across Canada.”

About LEAVE A LEGACY™
LEAVE A LEGACY™ is a national public awareness program under the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP•ACPDP™) supporting local LEAVE A LEGACY™ programs in Canada. As such, it espouses its national mission to encourage Canadians to make a will and to consider the personal and financial benefits of making a charitable bequest to the charities of their choice.

The Canadian Association of Gift Planners/Association canadienne des professionnels en dons planifiés advances philanthropy by fostering the development and growth of charitable gift planning throughout Canada. Formed thirteen years ago with 11 founding members, CAGP•ACPDP™ has grown to 1300 members representing charities and professional advisors across Canada.