Joy Gaze Legacy Circle
Founding Artistic Director Christopher Gaze with his mother, Joy Gaze.
Joy Gaze was a beloved member of the Bard on the Beach community—a loyal patron, dedicated volunteer, and most importantly, the mother of our Founder and Artistic Director, Christopher Gaze. From Bard’s earliest days, she championed Christopher’s vision and shared his passion for the arts. Joy’s life embodied a deep love for creativity, family, and community, inspiring her children to dream boldly and act with purpose.
Joy was a familiar and welcoming presence at the Festival. Whether she was assisting patrons at the Audience Services desk, knitting during quieter moments to support the young mothers being cared for by the YWCA, or enjoying performances from the front row, her warmth and dedication left an indelible mark.
In the Spring of 2023, Bard’s Legacy Circle program was renamed the Joy Gaze Legacy Circle to honor her profound impact and unwavering belief in Bard’s mission. This program celebrates her memory and highlights the importance of legacy gifts in sustaining the Festival for future generations. Joy’s enduring spirit continues to inspire generosity and a commitment to the arts within the Bard family and its supporters.
WHY MAKE A PLANNED GIFT?
Bard on the Beach has always been more than just a stage—it’s a place where stories spark connection, curiosity, and community. Legacy gifts play a vital role in ensuring that this vision lives on for generations to come. They help sustain Bard’s mission of producing exceptional theatre, delivering transformative education programs, and nurturing a vibrant, inclusive cultural space for all.
By including Bard in your estate plans, you become part of a passionate community of supporters who believe in the enduring power of the arts. Your gift—no matter the size—helps secure Bard’s future as a cornerstone of creativity and learning in Vancouver, inspiring new audiences and artists for years to come.
WAYS OF GIVING
A planned gift to Bard on the Beach is a powerful way to ensure your love for the arts continues to make an impact well into the future. Estate Gifts can take many different forms and each type supports Bard’s long-term strength and sustainability. We encourage you to consult a professional financial planner or advisor to find the giving option that aligns best with your goals and values.
Below are just some examples of how you can leave a lasting legacy and help continue Bard’s high-quality performances, innovative community programs, and commitment to being an inspiring centre of performance, education, and understanding in Vancouver forevermore.
NB: Commencing November 1, 2024, all realised undesignated estate gifts will be directed to the Christopher and Jennifer Gaze Endowment Fund, managed at the Vancouver Foundation, as part of a larger campaign over the next 5+ years to raise $5M in planned gifts towards a larger goal to secure $15M in cash and pledges for Bard’s endowment. Once this $5M is achieved, Bard’s Board of Directors will determine where to direct undesignated planned gifts.
- Charity Information:
- Legal name: Bard on the Beach Theatre Society
- Charitable Registration: #12964-4928-RR0001
- Bequests in a Will
Bequests in a Will
A bequest is a simple and effective way to leave a gift or portion of your estate to Bard on the Beach. They cost nothing now, ensure your needs and those of your loved ones are met first, and create a lasting impression at Bard in the future.
What’s more, bequests are tax creditable. Your estate receives a donation receipt for the value of your bequest, which can substantially reduce or even eliminate taxes owed. - Registered Funds
Registered Funds (such as RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs)
Consider making Bard on the Beach the beneficiary of your registered funds. The proceeds will be paid directly to Bard and may not be subject to probate.
The benefits include:
- a donation tax credit on the final tax return
- proceeds are usually paid directly to Bard on the Beach and may not be subject to probate
- administration of the gift is usually quicker and simpler than a Will
- Gifts of Property
Gifts of Property
You may choose to leave personal property such as books, real estate, or art to Bard on the Beach.
The gift will be eligible for a charitable tax receipt for the appraised, fair market value of the property determined on the day the gift is received by Bard.
THE BENEFITS
Members of the Joy Gaze Legacy Circle are generous individuals who have made a provision for Bard on the Beach in their estate plans. In gratitude for their tremendous foresight to help secure Bard’s future, Joy Gaze Legacy Circle members are invited to an afternoon tea each season, hosted by Founder and Artistic Director Chrisopher Gaze in the Bard Festival Village, as well as included in donor listings in our House Program each summer.
If you have named Bard on the Beach in your will, or if you would like more information about how you too can help secure Bard’s future, please contact Diane Cook, Director of Development at [email protected].