Bequests. It’s not just a gift, it’s your legacy of hope and support for those experiencing homelessness.
Here are some questions to consider before you get started.
Deciding to leave a gift in your Will is one of the most important decisions you will ever make and it’s important for you to have the relevant information to hand.
Here are some common considerations to help you get started:
Why write a Will?
Writing a Will is one of the most important ways you can protect the people and causes you care about.
It gives you clarity and control over what happens to your estate, honours your wishes, and reduces stress for your loved ones during an already difficult time. Without a Will, decisions about your assets may be made on your behalf, and not necessarily aligned with your wishes.
For many people, writing a Will is an opportunity to reflect their values. After providing for family and friends, you may choose to leave a gift to a cause that matters to you, such as homelessness.
By writing a Will, you’re not only protecting your loved ones, you’re a legacy of lasting change. For StreetSmart, that means continuing the work to end homelessness and ensure everyone has access to safe, timely medical care.
What impact does it have?
A gift in your Will can have a lasting and powerful impact on people experiencing homelessness.
Your bequest plays a vital role in sustaining our efforts to support those experiencing homelessness, providing them with essential resources and a pathway to stability and hope.
Importantly, legacy gifts provide stability. They allow StreetSmart to plan ahead, respond to emerging needs, and back trusted community organisations with consistent funding where it is needed most.
The impact is both immediate and enduring. Immediate in the care delivered on the ground. Enduring in the systems strengthened, the services sustained, and the lives changed.
Your legacy becomes part of a larger movement working to end homelessness and ensure everyone has access to safe, timely medical care.
Is it expensive or complicated?
Leaving a gift to StreetSmart Australia is simpler than you might think, and no, it doesn’t have to be costly.
You can choose a gift that suits your circumstances:
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Residuary or Percentage Gift: Leave a portion of your estate after providing for loved ones. These gifts adjust over time, so their impact is preserved.
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Pecuniary Gift: Leave a fixed sum, giving a clear, predetermined contribution.
Depending on your situation, we recommend independent legal adive. If that’s not an option for you, we’ve recommend Willed, Australia’s trusted online Will platform.
What is the correct wording for a Will?
Here’s some suggested copy for your Will:
“I [insert name here] bequeath to StreetSmart Australia (ABN 51 106 387 446) Property Trust for its general purposes to enable the charity to fulfil its objective to reduce poverty, help end homelessness and minimise to at risk vulnerable Australians across grassroots community projects in both metropolitan and regional areas of Australia. Choose the appropriate option from the list below:
- the whole of my estate
- [insert number] percentage of my estate
- the residue of my estate
free from all duties, and the receipt of the Financial Secretary or other authorised officer of StreetSmart Australia at the time of my death, shall be full and sufficient discharge for my Executor(s).”
Gifts in Will online
Many people intend to write a Will but put it off because it feels time consuming, expensive or complicated. We wanted to offer a practical option that removes some of those barriers.
Willed is a trusted Australian online platform that lets you create a legally valid Will from home, with guided steps, support, and the ability to update it as circumstances change.
Through this partnership, we’re making it easier for our community to plan ahead with confidence. If your estate is more complex, we still recommend seeking independent legal advice.
Here are some steps to help you get started.
Deciding to leave a gift in your Will is one of the most important decisions you will ever make and it’s important for you to have the relevant information to hand.
Here are some steps to help you get started:
Step One | Write
Your generous contribution in your Will, irrespective of its size, holds the potential to significantly impact the lives of numerous individuals in dire need of emergency medical assistance.
If you have already established a Will and wish to extend support to StreetSmart Australia, you can do so seamlessly by appending a codicil to your existing document.
For those who have yet to create a Will, incorporating a bequest for our organisation into your estate plan when drafting a new Will is a straightforward process.
Regardless of your circumstances, we recommend consulting with a solicitor to ensure that your intentions are accurately reflected and executed.
Your support enables us to sustain our efforts, ending homelessness in Australia. We deeply appreciate your consideration and commitment to our cause.
Step Two | Choose
Various methods are available for leaving a gift to StreetSmart Australia, tailored to your individual circumstances.
- Residuary Bequest: Opting for a residuary bequest is among the most impactful ways to support StreetSmart Australia. åThis entails leaving a gift from the remainder of your estate after providing for your loved ones. A residuary gift adjusts for inflation over time, ensuring that your contribution maintains its effectiveness in our projects in the future.
- Percentage Gift: By designating a percentage of your estate, you have the flexibility to determine the portion you wish to allocate to StreetSmart Australia. Similar to a residuary bequest, a percentage gift adapts to inflation, preserving its value over time.
- Pecuniary Bequest or Specific Sum: Alternatively, a pecuniary bequest involves leaving a fixed sum of money to StreetSmart Australia. While this type of gift does not adjust for inflation, it provides a specific and predetermined contribution to support our mission.
Each method offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact through your generosity. We appreciate your consideration of StreetSmart Australia in your estate planning endeavors.
Step Three | Include
Suggested Copy
- the whole of my estate
- [insert number] percentage of my estate
- the residue of my estate
free from all duties, and the receipt of the Financial Secretary or other authorised officer of StreetSmart Australia at the time of my death, shall be full and sufficient discharge for my Executor(s).”
Step Four | Communicate
Open dialogue with your family and loved ones regarding your Will is paramount. Effective communication ensures that your final wishes are honored. Take the opportunity to express to your family the significance of leaving a gift to StreetSmart Australia and provide guidance to any executors and guardians regarding your intentions.
Additionally, we recommend informing us once you have designated a gift in your Will to StreetSmart Australia. Your notification enables us to plan more effectively for the future, instilling confidence in our endeavours. I would be honoured to personally extend my gratitude for your generous support of StreetSmart Australia.
Your proactive approach ensures that your philanthropic aspirations are realised and greatly contributes to our mission of creating positive change in our communities.
Make a bequest today and change tomorrow.
Status: StreetSmart Australia is a Public Benevolent Institute with DGR 1.
