Leave a gift in your Will for Include a Charity Week

The Include a Charity campaign, which is supported by dozens of not-for-profit organisations, aims to encourage more people to leave a charitable gift in their Will, and increase the positive impact we can make as individuals on society.

Research conducted by the Fundraising Institute of Australia shows that the number of Australians leaving gifts in their Wills increased from 7.9 per cent in 2016 to 11 per cent in 2019. To build on this progress, every year the campaign provides important information and guidance on how to leave a lasting legacy during Include a Charity Week (6 – 12 September). 

Read on to learn why gifts in Wills matter for charitable organisations, and the positive impact you can make for future generations.

What is Include a Charity Week?

Include a Charity Week is an annual social change campaign, initiated by the Fundraising Institute of Australia (FIA). The aim of the annual observance is to encourage more Australians to leave a gift in their Will to a charity of their choice, increasing the funds invested in Australia’s non-profit sector, and the impact member organisations can make. 

The campaign relies entirely on the involvement of its charity members, which run their own awareness activities leading up to and during Include a Charity Week. Together, Include a Charity members use this opportunity to raise public awareness of gifts in Wills, and the important difference a legacy can make.

What is a charitable gift left in your Will?

A gift left to a charity in your will is simply that, a gift to your chosen charitable organisation. It is a dollar amount of your choice, bequeathed to a charity whose work you admire. 

You don’t need to be wealthy to leave a gift in your Will. A donation of any amount supports the work of the beneficiary organisation into the future.

What does it mean to leave a donation to charity as a gift in your Will?

It’s time to change the way we think about Will-making. Your Will is your legacy. Of course, every Australian wants to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of, but after you’ve provided for your family and friends you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the world. 

Think about the world you’ve lived in, and how you’d like the world to be in the future. A gift to a charity in your Will is an opportunity to express your wishes for that future, and to support organisations who are working towards realising that dream. 

Did you know that much of charities’ vital income comes from those who leave a charitable gift in their Will? Your legacy contributes towards a reliable and sustainable source of income, which enables organisations like ChildFund Australia to continue its vital work.

How can you support a cause or charity you care about during Include a Charity Week?

We are asking all Australians to take the time to consider leaving a gift in their Will, of any size, to a charity that supports a cause they care about. 

This week is a timely opportunity to start the conversation, do some research, and carefully consider the legacy you’d like to leave for future generations. 

This year, you can take a quiz to find out what type of legend you are. Take the quiz here. And if you are considering leaving a gift to ChildFund Australia, learn more about naming us as a beneficiary and get in touch with Martin Shields, ChildFund Australia Bequest Executive.