November, 2006
State of Giving: NSW ‘Most Willing to
Shape the Future’
Four of Australia’s largest charities have today named
the residents of New South Wales as the ‘Most Willing to
Shape the Future of Australia’ by newly launched Include
a Charity, with 3.4% of the state or 228,000 people saying that
they intend to leave money to charity in their Will.¹
Include a Charity is a collaboration between four of Australia’s
largest charities: Australian Red Cross,
Mission Australia, Heart Foundation, and The
Cancer Council Australia which aims to increase
awareness of and dispel myths surrounding including a donation
to charity in your Will.
Over the last 10 years 1,784 people in New South Wales have
confirmed that they have left a donation to charity in their
Will, according to research by Pareto Fundraising.²
New South Wales has surpassed Victoria by just 62 bequests to
be named Australia’s most giving state.
Per year, around 10,000 charitable bequests are realised nationally.
Bequests can range from a financial donation to someone’s
entire estate. Says Narelle Campbell from Mission Australia, “when
we get a notification of a bequest particularly a significant
one – the excitement in the organisation is tangible as
we know how many lives the gift will touch. Bequests help to
enable the bigger changes in the work we do.”
“Include a Charity wants people to know that leaving a
bequest is not about depriving your family and friends. It is
about assisting the charities that have shaped your life to continue
their work for future generations,” says Martin Paul, spokesperson
for Include a Charity.
“Australians are renowned for their generosity. Many of
us often support charities, doing our bit to help the homeless,
support the local school or to fund the local club, to name but
a few worthwhile causes. But what surprises many people is that
it is bequests, made through Wills, that add up to be the largest
source of voluntary income for charities today.”
“Charities are becoming increasingly dependent on bequests
or gifts in Wills. Without such donations we would not be able
to help so many people through the most difficult periods of
their lives,” says Mr Paul.
“We want people to know that anyone can leave a bequest.
Bequests are not necessarily left by the very wealthy, but by
people who want to support one or more causes, thereby leaving
the world a better place.”
“I encourage others to think strongly about updating their
Will and having the ‘Will to Shape the Future’ by
including a charity.”
“Everyone at Include a Charity wants to voice their appreciation
of New South Wales for being so generous and assisting charities
to continue doing their vital work,” says Mr Paul.
For further information please call the bequest information
line on 1800 400 300 or visit the website at www.includeacharity.com.au
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