Bequests

When you make a bequest in your Will, your gift will continue to give forever

Australian Communities Foundation offers an ideal way to leave a bequest in your Will that will ensure your charitable goals will be realised.

Australian Communities Foundation ensures that your gift will be managed so that it continues to support the organisations or causes you care about.

Australian Communities Foundation works with donors and their lawyers to help them create charitable bequests in their Wills that will preserve their legacy in perpetuity.

Guide for donors and their lawyers.

A bequest in a Will can be left in a number of different ways.

pecuniary bequest – is a fixed amount specified in a Will
residuary bequest – is the remaining value of an estate when all other bequests to family and friends have been made and liabilities have been paid
reversionary bequest – allows a surviving partner to benefit from your estate during his or her lifetime and then for the balance of the estate to be paid to the Community Foundation on their death.

What type of gift can I leave as a bequest?

Leave a gift in your Will to set up your own named sub-fund. This gift needs to be the minimum required to effectively run a separate fund. This is currently set at $20,000. You can choose the cause/s or specify the names of charitable organisations you want your sub-fund to benefit.

Suggested wording for a bequest: This wording is provided as a guide to you and your adviser.

I give (type of gift) to Australian Communities Foundation Limited, as Trustee of Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund (ABN 57 485 460 977) to be held on trust in the Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund [and request, without obligation, the Trustee of the Fund hold the bequest in (insert name of new sub-fund) and to apply the income [as the Trustee decides/in favour of specific purposes or organisations or such other organisations having similar purposes as the Trustee may decide] and to acknowledge grants from my bequest, where ever practical in the Trustee’s discretion]. The executor may accept a receipt from the secretary of the trustee of the Fund as sufficient discharge of this bequest.
Leave a gift in your Will to your own existing sub-fund or to another already established sub-fund at Australian Communities Foundation.

Suggested wording for a bequest: This wording is provided as a guide to you and your adviser.

I give (type of gift) to Australian Communities Foundation Limited, as Trustee of Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund (ABN 57 485 460 977) to be held on trust in the Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund [and request, without obligation, the Trustee of the Fund hold the bequest in (insert name of your existing sub-fund or the name of another sub-funds) and to apply the income [as the Trustee decides/in favour of specific purposes or organisations or such other organisations having similar purposes as the Trustee may decide] and to acknowledge grants from my bequest, where ever practical in the Trustee’s discretion]. The executor may accept a receipt from the secretary of the trustee of the Fund as sufficient discharge of this bequest.
Leave a gift of any size to the Australian Communities Foundation Community Fund. This Fund responds to the changing needs of our community and supports the Foundation's grantmaking initiatives.

Suggested wording for a bequest: This wording is provided as a guide to you and your adviser.

I give (tpye of gift) to Australian Communities Foundation Limited, as Trustee of Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund (ABN 57 485 460 977) to be held on trust in the Australian Communities Foundation Extension Fund and to apply the income as the Trustee may decide[and to acknowledge grants from my bequest, where ever practical in the Trustee’s discretion]. The executor may accept a receipt from the secretary of the trustee of the Fund as sufficient discharge of this bequest.
Leave a gift in your will to establish a scholarship. If you would like to consider this make an appointment to discuss the options available with Australian Communities Foundation. We can help you clarify some criteria which you can then specify in your will with your lawyer.

Whatever option you choose you can be assured your gift will continue to make a difference in perpetuity.

Why should I leave a bequest to the Australian Communities Foundation Community Fund?

Your gift enables us to grow our endowment and respond to the changing needs of the community now and into the future. With a strong endowment, we are able to continue to be responsive and strategic in making our community a better place for all.

Australian Communities Foundation will use its expertise and knowledge of the community to ensure that grants will be made to a similar charity or cause, should it no longer exist. Your gift will continue to give forever.

Whilst community needs change with time, Australian Communities Foundation is building an endowment to continue to tackle the long-term community challenges as well as immediate needs locally, Australia wide and internationally in perpetuity.

Letting us know

Once you have completed the Will with your lawyer please ask them to send notification of your bequest to Australian Communities Foundation for our records. Alternatively can you please let us know you have made plans for such a gift.

We can then include you as part of the Australian Communities Foundation Community and invite you to attend functions, information sessions, receive publications etc. If you prefer to remain anonymous we will honour this also.

Getting the right advice

Australian Communities Foundation is privileged to have a number of lawyers that support us. They are all experts and experienced in estate planning. If you would like assistance, their contact details are provided for your convenience.

Heather Gray email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Emma Woolley email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or contact us for more information on 03 9412 0412.