An increasing number of New Zealanders are considering leaving a gift to charity in their will, a trend that could have lasting benefits for Eastern Bay communities.
New research released by Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ) suggests more than half of people who already support charitable causes are interested in including a charitable gift in their will, with almost one in five surveyed saying they have already done so.
Eastern Bay Community Foundation manager Angela Jackson says the findings reflect what the Foundation sees locally.
"People in the Eastern Bay care deeply about their community. For many, leaving a gift in their will is a way of ensuring that support continues long after they're gone."
While many people assume gifts in wills are reserved for the wealthy, Jackson says that isn't the case.
"Anyone can leave a charitable gift in their will, no matter the size of their estate. The important thing is that it reflects what's meaningful to that person."
According to the CFANZ research, the biggest barrier to leaving a charitable gift is the desire to look after family and loved ones first, while the most common reason people choose to leave a gift is that it aligns with their personal values.
"The research shows that people's main concern is looking after family first, which is exactly how most gifts in wills work," says Jackson. "Once those important responsibilities have been met, many people like the idea of leaving something behind for causes that have been meaningful to them during their lifetime."
Jackson says people are often surprised by how flexible legacy giving can be.
"Some choose to support education through scholarships, while others invest in the arts, community organisations or local charities. What they all have in common is that they're deeply personal."
Eastern Bay Community Foundation chairperson Jimmy Heal says the growing interest in charitable giving through wills is encouraging for the future of the region.
"We've already seen the Foundation grow thanks to generous people who've chosen to leave a gift in their will, and those gifts will continue supporting our communities long into the future," he says.
"This research shows there's a real appetite for that kind of giving here in the Eastern Bay."
September is Wills Month in New Zealand, an annual reminder for people to make a will, update an existing one and consider leaving a charitable gift.
"We're encouraging locals to review their wills and think about how they would like to be remembered," says Heal. "For some people, that may include supporting a cause or community that's been important to them throughout their lifetime."
A summary of the BERL research findings on charitable gifts in wills is available at communityfoundations.org.nz, with the full Giving in Aotearoa NZ report due for release in November.
To learn more about leaving a charitable gift in your will, visit www.ebcf.nz/wills
