New 2019/20 figures show that over 60% of RSPCA Victoria’s annual revenue is generated from gifts left in Wills, highlighting the importance of bequests as part of the charity’s ongoing sustainability. The organisation is encouraging more people to consider leaving a gift in their Will as part of Include a Charity Week, which runs from 7-13 September.
CEO at RSPCA Victoria, Dr Liz Walker, expressed why the current climate furthered the urgency for people to consider these types of contributions.
“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on charities over the last five months, that rely heavily on community support to operate. We have not been immune to this; since restrictions were first imposed in Victoria, we’ve seen the cancellation of some of our biggest fundraising events, the closure of our op shops, a pause on education and grooming services and the loss of corporate sponsors who themselves are struggling. And we’re not yet to experience the full impact,” said Dr Walker.
“With the majority of our revenue coming from gifts in Wills, there has never been a more important time for animal lovers to consider the legacy they leave behind. It’s an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on animal welfare by supporting our work into the future.
“Include a Charity Week is all about normalising bequests to charities in your Will as we know it can be a difficult conversation. But starting the discussion is the first step. Many people are surprised at how simple it is to have an impact, while continuing to safeguard your own family’s future.”
Carole is a vet who lives with two dogs, three cats and four goats. The Black Saturday bushfires brought profound tragedy into her life, but the love she shared with a kitten orphaned by the fire helped her to keep going.
“I’ve loved animals all my life, and I’ve worked to end animal cruelty for almost as long. By including a gift to RSPCA Victoria in my Will, I feel that the strength of my love for animals will survive even my own death,” said Carole.
There are three options people can consider when planning to leave a gift to RSPCA Victoria in their Will:
Percentage Gift – You simply state in your Will what percentage of your estate you would like to give.
Residual Gift – After family and friends have been taken care of, and all costs have been dealt with, you can make a gift of the remainder or residue of your estate, or a percentage of that residue.
Specific Gift- You may wish to include a specific dollar amount for your gift, or specific assets such as property or shares.
“There is an assumption that you need to leave a huge amount when allocating a charitable gift in your Will. But the reality is, even the smallest contribution makes a world of difference. Particularly when it is perceived as the ‘normal’ thing to do. All of those contributions really add up,” says Dr Walker.
“If you haven’t had the conversation yet, on behalf of all charities, I urge you to do it now. Amidst all the uncertainty surrounding us right now, bequests are an incredible way to secure the important work of organisations like RSPCA Victoria, now and into the future.”
To learn more about gifts in Wills visit: https://rspcavic.org/giving/leaving-a-gift-in-your-will/
