With this week being Include a Charity Week (16 – 22 September), 140 Australian charities have united to encouge Australians to leave a gift in their Will.
Most of Ausralia’s most recognised charities are behind the campaign, including the RSPCA, Cure Cancer, World Vision Australia, Red Cross, Amnesty International Australia and the Taronga Foundation. Together, they are working to do what no single charity has ever been able to achieve on its own – change the way Australians think about including charities in their Will. While 75 per cent of Australians support charities in their lifetimes, only 7.5 per cent leave a bequest to charity. Include a Charity seeks to increase this percentage to 12 per cent, which would make an additional $440 million available to charities.
Since Include a Charity formed in 2011, the group has witnessed positive change in the number of people who intend to leave a bequest, and those that actually go on to do so. Discussing charities when drawing up a Will is becoming more accepted, and solicitors are becoming more proactive in raising the subject with clients.
“We are delighted that there is a trend towards a consideration of charity bequests,” said Ross Anderson, of Include a Charity. “However, we want to communicate with the 80 per cent of Australians who don’t know this is an option. After making sure that loved ones are taken care of, we are asking people to consider their favourite charity when making or next updating their Will.”
Tim Costello, Chief Executive of World Vision Australia says, “Including a charity in your Will is an opportunity for Australians to leave a lifechanging legacy. “It’s another way people can support the causes they care about – and make an impact for years to come.”
For more information about Include a Charity, a full list of member charities and for more on how to leave a bequest, visit www.includeacharity.com.au
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