Bequests

Wills are generally very private topics and so individuals rarely talk about the contents of their will.

Sadly a relatively large percentage of Australians don’t have a will in place to direct and distribute their estate on death. Of those that do have a will, an ever increasing number are recognising their ability to put something back into the community upon their death.

With a more complex society involving multiple relationships in a lifetime, the issue of dispersing your estate is often much more complicated than it once was. Add to this the level of wealth accumulated by the ‘baby boomer’ generation and often there are available funds to put to philanthropic purpose, even after the immediate beneficiaries are well catered for.

Leaving money, property or other assets (such as the proceeds of a life insurance policy) to a Community Foundation, such as The Ballarat Foundation provides for a safe, long term and well managed process with ongoing donor recognition for future generations. Instructions can be to distribute a certain amount, a percentage or residue of the estate to the Community Fund.

The Ballarat Foundation offers many advantages to those seeking to leave something to their community:

•  Bequests are a permanent legacy, providing a benefit to the community forever.
•  Capital value is maintained and grown, with income distributed annually.
•  Bequests can be for a specific organisation or field of interest or simply for community good.
•  The Ballarat Foundation acts to ensure all moneys are used for appropriate purpose year after year, and that moneys are not wasted or capital depleted.
•  A named bequest, recognises the memory of the donor, not just at death, but immortalises the memory of the donor for generation to come.
•  Income is only distributed in Ballarat and districts for local charitable purpose.
•  A bequest to The Ballarat Foundation eliminates any concern with inactive trusts.

Where there is a Will…… There is a way! See testimonial

For more information contact the Foundation or simply ask your solicitor to provide for a bequest to The Ballarat Foundation in your will.

We are happy to discuss this and other options with you, confidentially and totally obligation free.