Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Why is leaving a gift in your will so important to charities?

For most charities, gifts left in wills are a vital part of their income. Gifts from people like you help fund a huge number of worthy programmes and activities, from a package of food for a family in crisis to research into cancer prevention.

When you leave a gift in your will, you provide a critical source of funding for a charity to continue its important work, long into the future. You can feel confident your gift will be used to help many New Zealanders.

2. Why should I not leave everything to my family?

This campaign is about including a charity, not excluding your family. There may well be room to consider both. And by including a charity you'll be helping to build a more supportive community for your own children and grandchildren, something they'll appreciate if they ever find themselves in need.

3. What sort of gift left in a will is most useful to a charity?

Every gift in a will, regardless of type or size, is gratefully accepted. Gifts in wills come in all sizes, big and small. If you have any questions about the type or amount of your gift, please feel free to contact your charity directly for a confidential discussion.

4. How do I include a gift to charity in my will?

You'll find information on this website that will guide you through the steps necessary to leave a gift in your will. The most important thing is to seek professional advice from your lawyer or financial advisor. But before you do this, think carefully about the charity you'd like to leave a gift to and, preferably, contact them for further information and for a confidential chat.

To leave a gift in your will you will need to know your charity's full legal name and charity number. You will find these on the individual charity pages on this website.

5. How can I be sure my gift will go to those who need it most?

Every year, gifts left to charity in wills provide help for millions of New Zealanders, including for things like research and support for millions affected by disease or disability, hundreds of thousands affected by crises, locally and overseas, in addition to making great strides for preserving the environment and lobbying government and people for change.

To find out more about how your gift will be used to directly benefit those in need, please contact your charity directly.

6. Once I make a gift in my will do I need to tell the charity?

If you've arranged to make a gift to charity, they would naturally love to hear about it. That way they'll have the opportunity to thank you personally and perhaps discuss how they might invest your future gift. Letting your charity know what you've done also helps them in their planning for the future, and it gives them the opportunity to thank you in your lifetime.

7. Is it okay to remain anonymous?

Of course. If you include a gift to charity in your will you're under no obligation to notify the charity of your intentions. However, we do recommend letting your charity know as this will help ensure the gift is correctly worded in your will. It will also give your charity an opportunity to thank you and let you know how much they appreciate your support. Gifts in wills, large and small, are welcomed by all charities.