Remembering World Vision Australia in your Will
Message from Tim Costello. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Why leave a bequest to World Vision?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The importance of having a Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How to write your Will. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Suggested legal wording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Frequently asked questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Leave a bequest to World Vision today .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 4
Front cover: Children celebrate the arrival of clean drinking water at their school in Kenya. Photo: Kenneth Kibet/World Vision Above: In India, Phameria and daughter Bilsina have seen their village’s economy improve through a partnership with World Vision to grow organic tea. Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision
Remember World Vision in your Will, and leave a legacy that changes lives World Vision Australia is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation working to transform the lives of children, families and communities in need.
Photo: Bridie Walsh/World Vision
We partner with people just like you to tackle the causes of poverty and to seek lasting change for people in poor communities. Our work has made a significant difference over the decades, however we know there is still much to be done to eradicate poverty and its causes. That’s why I would like to extend an invitation for you to leave a bequest to World Vision Australia in your Will – it is an opportunity for you to leave a legacy that changes lives. Every bequest makes a difference and contributes to creating lasting change for children and families both overseas and here in Australia’s Indigenous communities. I have included World Vision Australia in my Will and encourage you to join me.
Tim Costello World Vision Australia Chief Executive 5
A bequest is a gift that you leave in your Will for those you care about. Leaving a bequest to World Vision is an opportunity for you to change the lives of children and families for generations to come. Currently, bequests are used to support the seven key areas of our work:
A baby’s weight is checked at a health centre in Bolivia. Photo: Ilana Rose/World Vision
• i mproving access to clean water and sanitation, and promoting good hygiene; • improving access to quality healthcare; • h elping communities gain reliable access to nutritious food and ensure environmental sustainability;
Create lasting change for children and families in need
• breaking the cycle of poverty through income generation; • h elping communities lift themselves out of poverty through education and life skills development; • t aking a stand to protect children from abuse and exploitation; and • p artnering with Indigenous communities to see children grow up happy, healthy and strong. 6
Depending on how you direct your bequest, it will either be used for projects funded through our child sponsorship program or equivalent or successor program, or to help children and communities in the area(s) that require the most assistance at that time. As the priority areas we work in may change over time, we ask that you keep the wording of your bequest quite general. See page 10 for suggested wording.
“ I loved to hear of [my husband] Bill’s involvement at World Vision [as a volunteer]. He always came home buoyed by the wonderful stories of the great work that World Vision was doing across the world. Before he died, we agreed that we both wanted to financially cater for those who had not been as fortunate as we were. We decided that including World Vision in our Wills for a percentage of our estate was the best way to do this.
Photo: Lucy Aulich/World Vision
Bill and I had always shared with the global community during our lifetime and we decided that this was the perfect way to continue to contribute even after we pass away.” – World Vision Australia bequestor Nan Armstrong, Victoria
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A Will ensures that the distribution of your assets will be carried out in the way that you desire so your legacy can continue for generations to come.
A Will also enables you to name an Executor who can carry out your wishes, and provide for guardianship of any minors in your care.
Having a Will means that you can decide how the people and causes you care about are provided for. It allows you to outline your wishes for your property and assets, and any other arrangements you might want to put in place.
Above: Leakhena, centre, and her little brother and mother pick string beans in their garden in Cambodia. Leakhena is a sponsored child, and her parents, who are farmers, have also received agricultural training from World Vision. Photo: Sopheak Kong/World Vision
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The most vital part of having a Will is to ensure it is valid, so it is a good idea to seek legal advice. Having a solicitor or trustee company assist you in writing your Will can help ensure the required legal processes are followed, in line with your wishes. When writing your Will it is important that you consider the needs of your family and dependants, and let them know about decisions that affect them – including if you decide to leave a bequest to World Vision.
Keeping your Will updated As well as having a Will, it is important to keep it up-to-date. A Will often needs to be updated when your circumstances change – for example, if you get married, buy property or have children. Any changes can be discussed with your legal advisor.
Two girls enjoy learning at school in the Philippines. World Vision has partnered with the local government, teachers and parents to help provide books, chairs, tables and classrooms to a number of public schools in the Philippines which lacked appropriate facilities and educational materials. Photo: Crislyn Joy A. Felisilda/World Vision 9
“ We have both always been committed to donating to various causes and also volunteering in the community. When we put our Will together a couple of years ago, we both wanted to be very generous with helping the causes we believe in. We saw our Will as a chance to really contribute something significant. Having an interest in community development and [being] concerned about poverty around the world and in Australia, we already sponsored a child and so were aware of the work World Vision did. We decided that making a bequest to World Vision was a great way for us to have a greater impact on issues that are important to us.” – World Vision Australia bequestors Emily and Kevin Russo, Queensland, pictured with son Oscar Photo: Kami Hazelwood/World Vision
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n Mozambique, Aida holds her sleeping baby, Graciosa. Aida and her family’s lives have been substantially improved through the simple provision of mosquito nets from World Vision. According to Aida’s husband, Eduardo, malaria used to be a constant problem for the family of five: “It moved from one person to another. It never stopped,” he said. The nets have finally stopped the cycle of malaria. For Aida’s older children, this means they do not have to miss school which, in turn is improving their grades. For Aida’s husband, there are no longer any limits on his capacity to farm and he has been able to expand his fields, leading to higher profits from rice, cassava and peanuts. Extra income has allowed the family to build a new house and purchase beds for the children, who previously slept on mats on the floor. Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision
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Wills can be complex and there are many ways of including a bequest in a Will. We cannot provide you with legal advice so please ensure you obtain your own independent advice on the most appropriate wording. The following are examples of wording for your consideration as you write your Will.
1. If you wish to leave a specific bequest A specific bequest is a gift of a particular amount of money or item(s) of property (for example, a house, shares, artwork, etc.). You can direct your specific bequest to be used for different purposes. We suggest that you do not describe the purposes in too limited or narrow wording; please consider whether it would be possible or easy for us to fulfil your wish. Popular purposes (and ones we can easily fulfil) are: for general purposes of World Vision Australia, for projects funded through our child sponsorship or equivalent or successor program, or to continue your existing child sponsorship. Below are examples of wording for Wills for these purposes: (a) For general support of World Vision For a gift of money: “ I give [the sum of $ or %*] of my estate, free of all duties, to World Vision Australia for its general purposes.” For a gift of property: “ I give [insert description of property], free of all duties, to World Vision Australia for its general purposes.” 12
(b) To child sponsorship For a gift of money: “ I give [the sum of $ or %*] of my estate, free of all duties, to World Vision Australia to be applied towards programs of World Vision Australia which are funded through its child sponsorship or equivalent or successor program.” For a gift of property: “ I give [insert description of property], free of all duties, to World Vision Australia to be applied towards programs of World Vision Australia which are funded through its child sponsorship or equivalent or successor program.” (c) To continue your existing child sponsorship For a gift of money: “ I give [the sum of $ or %*] of my estate, free of all duties, to World Vision Australia, to be applied for the maintenance of the sponsorship of my sponsored child/children at the time of my death until, in the case of each such sponsored child, the earlier of the date the child attains the age of 18 years or ceases to be part of World Vision Australia’s child sponsorship program. If I do not have any sponsored child at the time of my death or there is a balance remaining after maintenance of any
sponsorship, as described above, my gift shall be applied for the general purposes of World Vision Australia.”
Australia, to support our child sponsorship program or to continue your existing child sponsorship.
For a gift of property: “ I give [insert description of property], free of all duties, to World Vision Australia, to be applied for the maintenance of the sponsorship of my sponsored child/children at the time of my death until, in the case of each such sponsored child, the earlier of the date the child attains the age of 18 years or ceases to be part of World Vision Australia’s child sponsorship program. If I do not have any sponsored child at the time of my death or there is a balance remaining after maintenance of any sponsorship, as described above, my gift shall be applied for the general purposes of World Vision Australia.”
To achieve this, we suggest you use the above suggested wording but replace the words “I give the sum of $ or %* of my estate to World Vision Australia” with the following:
We request that you do not provide a direct gift of either money or property for your sponsored child. Child sponsorship funds community-based development activities which are designed to bring about long-term sustainable improvements in the wellbeing of children, families and their communities.
If World Vision Australia is not the only residual beneficiary, but one of two or more to share equally, you could use the following words:
2. If you wish to leave a residuary bequest A residuary bequest is one where you give a portion or all of what is left in your estate after specific gifts (for example to family and friends) and taxes and debts are fulfilled. You can direct your residuary gift to be used for different purposes in the same way that you can direct your specific bequest (see above). For example, you can say your residuary gift will be for general support of World Vision
“ I give the rest and residue of my estate to World Vision Australia ...” For example, to make a residuary bequest for general purposes, we suggest your Will says: “ I give the rest and residue of my estate, free of all duties, to World Vision Australia for its general purposes.”
“ I give the rest and residue of my estate, free of all duties, to World Vision Australia and to [insert name(s) of other residual beneficiaries] in equal shares for their general purposes.” For more detailed information about leaving a bequest to World Vision, please contact us. * Choose either a dollar amount or a percentage.
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How do I leave a bequest to World Vision Australia in my Will?
How can I use my Will to support the work of World Vision Australia?
A bequest to World Vision Australia in your Will is a way for you to leave a life-changing legacy and realise your vision for a better world.
You may choose to make a specific bequest to World Vision – which is a gift of a particular amount of money or item(s) of property – or you can make a residuary bequest which leaves a portion, or all of your estate to World Vision after specific gifts, taxes and debts are fulfilled.
If you include World Vision Australia in your Will, it is important to ensure that the wording is legally correct. You can refer to the suggested wording included in this guide, or visit our website. You may also want to talk to your solicitor or trustee, or with someone from World Vision.
Why is having a Will so important? Everyone should have a Will. It ensures that the distribution of your assets is carried out in the way that you want, and provides for the people and issues you care about.
When is the right time to write a Will? If you do not have a Will, it is advisable to write one as soon as possible. It is also important to update your Will when your circumstances change – for example if you get married, have children or buy property.
A bequest can be made as part of a new Will or added to an existing Will via a codicil, which is simply an addition or change to a Will.
Can I choose a specific area of World Vision’s work to support? We would ask that you keep your bequest quite general so it is easier for us to fulfil your wish. We suggest that you direct your bequest to the general purposes of World Vision Australia, to continue your existing child sponsorship or for projects funded through our child sponsorship program or equivalent or successor program.
Do I need assistance to write a Will?
How can my bequest support child sponsorship if I am no longer here?
We suggest the services of a solicitor or trustee company to ensure your Will is legally sound. A solicitor can also advise you on matters such as guardians, asset valuation and power of attorney.
Contributions made through child sponsorship fund community-based development activities which are designed to bring about long-term sustainable improvements for children, families and their communities.
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As funds go toward supporting projects rather than just the needs of specific children, a bequest to our child sponsorship program can help World Vision continue this important work with communities in need. A bequest can be directed to child sponsorship more generally or to completing the life-cycle of sponsorship for your existing sponsored child and their community.
If I include World Vision in my Will do I need to let you know? It is your decision; however by letting World Vision know about your bequest you will help us plan better for the future. If you would like to let us know of your decision to include World Vision Australia in your Will, please call 1300 303 440 or email bequests@worldvision.com.au
Evelyn and her daughter Gracie spend time together at a playgroup supported by World Vision in a Warlpiri community, Northern Territory. Photo: Lucy Aulich/World Vision 15
If you are considering leaving a bequest to World Vision, the next step would be to speak to your legal advisor. Together, you could look at either preparing your Will for the first time, or making a codicil (which is an addition or change) to include World Vision in your existing Will. If you would like to speak to someone from World Vision, please see our contact details on the back of this guide. We would love to hear from you.
Please let us know about your bequest We would also like to know if you have included World Vision in your Will. While an unexpected gift is always a nice surprise, you will be helping World Vision even more if you inform us of your intention to leave a bequest. Not only does this help us to plan for the future, it also allows us to thank you and share with you our long-term plans for World Vision.
Gile and Melkamu, from Ethiopia, with sheep they were able to buy with earnings from their mother’s fuel-efficient stove business. Their mother was trained by World Vision to make stoves that are energy efficient and virtually smoke free. Photo: Jon Warren/World Vision 16
Thank you for making a world of difference for children and communities in need
CONTACT US If you would like to find out more about leaving a bequest to World Vision Australia, or tell us about your decision to include World Vision in your Will, please contact us. Call 1300 303 440 Email bequests@worldvision.com.au Or visit worldvision.com.au/bequests
Š 2013 World Vision Australia. World Vision Australia ABN 28 004 778 081 is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Ref # 7123