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Investors Group launches Charitable Giving Program Long-term gifting program lets donor establish annual grants

Winnipeg – September 5, 2006: Investors Group announced today the establishment of a charitable giving program that enables Canadians to make charitable donations that will support charities of their choice for years to come.

Under the Investors Group Charitable Giving Program™, clients make a gift of money, securities or life insurance to the Strategic Charitable Foundation (a registered charity) which is used to establish a donor-advised account. Annual grants are made from the account to selected charities as recommended by the client.

This Program offers individuals many of the advantages of private charitable foundations with considerably less administration and cost than establishing and maintaining a typical private foundation.

“Canadians have an opportunity to establish a lasting legacy of giving with a charitable donation that generates annual gifts to the charities of their choice,” said Debbie Ammeter, Vice-President, Advanced Financial Planning Support at Investors Group. “Not only can clients receive the usual tax benefits associated with charitable giving, they also exercise control over their giving and may choose to involve family members in decisions on recipient charities.”

The Program requires a minimum initial donation of $25,000 and clients who make a contribution will receive a charitable donation tax receipt from the Strategic Charitable Foundation. The Program also allows donors to benefit from the recent elimination of capital gains tax on donations of publicly traded securities, an important advantage that is not available on donations of publicly traded securities to private foundations.

Donated amounts are invested in one of nine eligible Investors Group mutual funds:

  • Investors Income Plus Portfolio
  • Investors Dividend Fund
  • Investors Canadian Balanced Fund
  • Alto™ Conservative Portfolio
  • Alto™ Moderate Conservative Portfolio
  • Alto™ Monthly Income Portfolio
  • Alto™ Monthly Income and Growth Portfolio
  • Allegro™ Conservative Portfolio
  • Allegro™ Moderate Conservative Portfolio

“Canadians have a well-earned reputation for charity,” Ammeter said. “The Investors Group Charitable Giving Program provides an opportunity for Canadians to establish their own annual giving program and leave a lasting legacy.”

Details of the Investors Group Charitable Giving Program, including current fees and expenses, and other requirements are available upon request in the Program Guide. Donations under the Program are irrevocable and vest with the Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation – a registered charitable foundation operating independently from Investors Group – that is responsible for making all investments.

Investors Group, founded in 1926, is a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of approximately 3,800 Consultants located throughout Canada . In addition to an exclusive family of mutual funds and other investment vehicles, Investors Group offers a wide range of insurance, securities, mortgage and banking services . Investors Group is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada 's premier financial services companies with over $105 billion in total assets under management.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual funds investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The Funds are distributed across Canada by Investors Group Financial Services Inc., (in Quebec , a financial services firm.)

For more information contact:
Ron Arnst
Media Relations
(204) 956-3364
ron.arnst@investorsgroup.com