How the simple act of leaving a gift to charity in your will can transform lives, Include A Charity

Media Release - 22 August 2016

How the simple act of leaving a gift to charity in your will can transform lives

INCLUDE A CHARITY WEEK begins on Monday 5th September, in order to raise awareness about the ease and importance of leaving bequests (gifts in wills) to charity.

“It’s a growing phenomenon. Kiwis are leaving gifts, big and small, serious and quirky, in their wills to charity to help make the world a better place.” Says FINZ CEO, Sheridan Bruce. “Thousands of New Zealanders are leaving bequests to causes that they’re passionate about. The range of bequests is staggering, from millions through to a few hundred dollars; from holiday homes through to an item of small but personal value.”

Some facts about bequests:

New Zealanders are some of the most generous people in the world, illustrated by donations to charities in this country totalling $3.2 billion per year.
The average bequest in New Zealand is around $40,000.
In 2015 over 750 New Zealand charities benefitted, receiving over $150 million with half of the bequests being valued at less than $20,000, and half valued at more (some much, much more!)
Bequests are growing in total value, and grew by nearly 30% from 2011-2014 (according to a recent report from Philanthropy New Zealand).

“Myths abound. And one of them is that bequest giving is only for the ‘rich and famous’. With half of the bequests made in New Zealand being under $20,000, we see every day New Zealanders are weaving gifts to charities into their estate planning,” says Ms Bruce.

“International research around motivations for leaving a bequest include wanting to leave a lasting legacy and a wish to honour a human or furry friend! The motivations do vary widely but the difference these gifts make to the charity landscape is far-reaching.”

September 5-11th is Include A Charity Week in New Zealand, a time when the charity sector comes together to promote these game-changing gifts to charity. The collective message is, while many cannot support in a big way in their lifetime, gifts in Wills are affordable for many and can make a huge difference to the charity landscape in this country and the work that charities can do.

INCLUDE A CHARITY WEEK: 5-11 SEPTEMBER 2016

For further information on including a charity in your Will, and to download a free Will Information Pack, go to: www.includeacharity.org.nz

Include A Charity week is run with the support of FINZ, the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand. For an interview with a charity, or a bequestor, or for further details, contact:
email info@includeacharity.org.nz