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- 37% increase in assets over last year - More than $4 million donated to Canadian charities since inception - 68% of donations directed to healthcare related charities TORONTO, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - TD Waterhouse today announced that, as the Private Giving Foundation marks its third anniversary, it has accumulated close to $60 million in assets, up 37% from $43.5 million last year. The Private Giving Foundation - the first donor-advised fund launched by a Canadian financial institution - has grown considerably since its introduction in 2004. By year-end, the Foundation will have distributed more than $4 million to a wide variety of charitable organizations across Canada. Since the federal government eliminated capital gains tax on charitable donations of publicly traded securities in 2006, the Private Giving Foundation has received approximately 80% of its contributions in securities. "Since the Foundation was launched three years ago, we've seen a marked trend towards strategic philanthropy," says Jo-Anne Ryan, Vice President, Philanthropic Advisory Services, TD Waterhouse and Executive Director of the Private Giving Foundation. "More Canadians are planning their contributions in the same way they plan their investment portfolios. They want a return on investment. In this case, the 'return' is deeper engagement with their favourite charities and the knowledge that their giving is having a long-term impact." "The good news is that you don't have to be Bill Gates or Warren Buffet to apply this kind of strategic approach to charitable giving," continues Ryan. "With its minimum initial investment of only $10,000, the Private Giving Foundation is unique in that it makes effectively establishing a private foundation an accessible goal for many Canadians." Ryan points to Harold and Marilyn Quinn of Kingston, Ontario, who established the Quinn Charitable Foundation through the Private Giving Foundation in 2005. Their approach is strategic in two respects. First, Marilyn is a Parkinson's patient and their grandson is diabetic. The Quinn Charitable Foundation funds research into both diseases through grants to the Parkinson Society of Canada and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Second, their donations were made with securities that had earned large capital gains, thereby bringing them considerable tax relief while maximizing the value of the donations. The Private Giving Foundation pools donor-advised accounts in a special class of the TD Balanced Income Fund. Annual grants are made to charities based on the recommendations of the donors. Private Giving Foundation charitable distributions from April 2005 to Oct 2007 can be divided into six categories as follows: 1. Healthcare and health related causes. 68% 2. Social services. 14% 3. Education 10% 4. Religious organizations 4% 5. Arts and culture. 3 % 6. Other 1 % "Canadians are more engaged in philanthropy than ever before," concludes Ryan. "With 68% directing their funds to healthcare related charities, it's clear that this is a big priority for our donors, which isn't surprising considering that the baby boomers are focused on staying healthy for as long as possible and many are caring for aging and ailing parents. The Private Giving Foundation can provide a focus and long-term direction to their giving that makes all the difference to causes that are important to them." More information about the Private Giving Foundation can be found at www.tdwaterhouse.ca/privategiving/. About TD Bank Financial Group The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group serves more than 14 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD Banknorth; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading on-line financial services firms, with more than 4.5 million on-line customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$422 billion in assets as of October 31, 2007. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the symbol "TD", as well as on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For further information: Stephen Ledgley, NATIONAL Public Relations, (416) 848-1376, sledgley@national.ca

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