New Zealand’s generosity in the spotlight – Include A Charity Week.

Many of New Zealand’s favourite charities rely on gifts in wills to carry on their good work into the future. New Zealand is an extremely generous nation, illustrated by donations to charities totalling $3.2 billion per year, and this generosity is increasing with the number and range of gifts that are left to charities in wills.

Early September each year sees Include A Charity Week, and this is a time when charities join forces and raise awareness of the real difference charitable gifts in Wills (bequests) make.

In New Zealand fewer than 8% of wills include a gift to a charity, in contrast to the UK where gifts in Wills have risen to 17%. Currently bequests to charities in New Zealand total around $220m per year.

Forest and Bird New Zealand receive a range of bequests each year. From individuals who gift a significant portion of their estate to those who bequest a few hundred dollars and even in one case the gift of a hand carved owl, the charity appreciates every single contribution. “Nature is such a big part of life in New Zealand,” says Jess Winchester, Forest & Bird’s Bequests Manager, “it really is a privilege to be able to carry out the wishes of our donors who want to protect the environment for future generations.” Andrew King, 40, who was born and raised in Upper Hutt, Wellington, has left his holiday cottage to Forest and Bird. He said: “Writing your will is about managing your affairs properly – it gave me peace of mind. It feels good to be able to turn the sadness of death to a positive by leaving something for others to enjoy.”

At the Heart Foundation of New Zealand a current donor’s ongoing support came about after her father died prematurely from a heart attack. Although it happened decades ago, the donor says that she wanted to make a difference to ensure that other families could stay together for longer. “I’m confident the Heart Foundation will put my gifts to good use, with my help and the help of others, they can fund more research into the prevention and treatment of heart disease.” She also supports a number of other major causes (including Alzheimers New Zealand, Asthma New Zealand, the Foundation of the Blind and the Red Cross) and has included all of these charities in her will to support long after she has gone.

While the donor would like to remain anonymous she has set up the Cutts Charity Trust to support the causes dear to her heart into the future. Why does she do it? “I thoroughly enjoy giving; it feels good.”

Include A Charity Week is a great time to share these stories of people who really want to make a difference in the world both now and long after they have gone.

Include a Charity Chair Dianne Armstrong says, “Large and small charities all benefit from Kiwi generosity and, contrary to popular belief, bequests are not just for the rich and famous! Over 60 charities have joined together to form a united voice behind a campaign that provides so much social good for our communities. In New Zealand approximately 60% of people don’t have a will and this campaign strives to encourage people to ensure their families and loved ones are looked after by making a Will, while at the same time considering gifting to charities they care about.”

“Many people can’t always give regularly, but planning a gift in a Will is a very appealing way to show love and support for a charity’s work in a way that survives long after a person’s life. Our member charities have amazing stories about the gifts they have received, gifts that help future proof vital services and enable an ongoing commitment to research and conservation.”

For more information on donating to a charity in your Will go to: www.includeacharity.org.nz