A gift in your Will – also known as a bequest or legacy gift – is a sum of money, property or other assets left to loved ones and/or causes close to your heart. It costs you little now, but it’s one of the most powerful gifts you can make. After taking care of your loved ones, including a gift to World Vision Australia, no matter the size, will open doors for tomorrow’s children to live life to the fullest.

Yes. Everyone over the age of 18 should have a Will to protect your family and your wishes. Without a Will, your assets will be distributed according to intestacy laws, and not according to your wishes. This can cause financial and emotional distress for your loved ones.

Not at all. Unless your affairs are complex, writing a Will is a relatively simple process. We recommend you seek independent legal advice to ensure your Will is valid and that it clearly sets out how you intend your estate to be distributed.

You can also take advantage of free online Will-writing platforms. World Vision Australia has partnered with three trusted online Will-writing providers who can help you write or update your Will at no cost – or at a discounted rate. Learn how to write your Will in under 20 minutes.

It’s your choice. You could choose to give:

• A residuary gift

After taking care of your loved ones, you can direct all or a share of what remains to World Vision Australia.

• A percentage of your estate

Including a set percentage ensures your gift stays in proportion, regardless of its final value.

• Whole or part of your estate

You can give your entire estate or a specific portion.

• A specific gift

This might be a specific sum of money or a gift of real estate, shares, superannuation or life insurance.

Here's our suggested wording:

“I give, free of all duties and taxes, [the residue of my estate/… percent of my estate] to World Vision Australia (ABN 28 004 778 081) to be applied for its general purposes. I declare that the receipt of the authorised officer shall be full and sufficient discharge for my executor(s) and/or trustee(s).”

A ‘general purposes’ or unspecified gift is the most powerful way to make a difference. This gift is not tied to a specific program. It means your generosity will go where it’s needed most at the time, to get the big things done and make the biggest impact for children.

Your ‘general purposes’ gift will go where it’s needed most, so your kindness can make the biggest impact for future generations. Your gift can help children overseas who are struggling just to survive with nutritious food, clean water, education, healthcare, safety and more. You’ll help children build futures filled with hope, dignity and opportunities. Futures no longer limited by poverty and injustice. And here in Australia, your gift can support First Nations communities as they build stronger futures.

Yes! Please contact our team to discuss wording. We can help you ensure your gift fulfills any active sponsorship commitments, and the balance goes to ‘general purposes’ so your gift can make the biggest impact where it’s needed most at the time.

No. As it may be many years before your gift becomes a reality, we encourage you to leave a ‘general purposes’ gift. Many of the reasons why we ask you not to send large gifts or money directly to your sponsored child apply to gifts in Wills.

For instance: 


• sending money to an individual child does not contribute to their community’s long-term development;
• World Vision field offices are not equipped to handle funds sent directly from a supporter;
• sending money may cause tension among family and community members; and
• in some countries, it’s against the law to receive and send foreign currency.

You don’t have to, but we encourage you to let us know your generous intentions. This gives us the chance to thank you and keep you updated on our long-term plans and the impact gifts in Wills are making. We’ll also welcome you to our Forever Visionaries community of like-minded supporters.