Helping Supporters Leave a Meaningful Legacy

This article explores how organisations can help supporters leave a meaningful legacy by providing a simple way to record intentions, values, and personal stories. Evaheld enhances supporter engagement and long-term connection by adding clarity and depth to legacy planning—without disrupting existing fundraising or advisory workflows.

Imagine Jane, a lifelong supporter of a beloved charity, who believed deeply in continuing her values beyond her lifetime. She once thought including a bequest in her will was complicated and daunting—until she discovered a simple tool that made the entire process straightforward and reassuring. This post will walk supporters like Jane through how easy it is to create a lasting charitable legacy using modern tools and clear guidance.

Gratitude and the Power of a Lasting Legacy

At the heart of every charity’s mission is the unwavering support of individuals like you—people whose lifelong generosity and commitment have made a real difference. Your kindness has already helped to change lives, and for that, we offer our deepest thanks. Today, we invite you to consider how your values and compassion can continue to shape the future through legacy giving.

Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a meaningful way to extend your impact beyond your lifetime. By including a gift to your favourite charity in your will, you ensure that the causes you care about remain supported for generations to come. This is not just about a financial contribution—it’s about carrying forward the values and beliefs that have guided you throughout your life.

Continuing Your Values Through Legacy Giving

Many supporters are surprised to learn how simple it is to create a lasting legacy. Including a bequest in your will is a practical step that ensures all your wishes—for family, friends, and the causes you love—are clearly captured. It’s a celebration of your ongoing journey of generosity, and a powerful way to keep your values alive.

One supporter, Margaret, shared her experience after deciding to include a bequest in her will. She had always given what she could each year, believing her contributions were modest. When she learned that a gift in her will could help secure the charity’s future, she was amazed at the potential impact. “I never realised that my legacy could make such a difference,” Margaret said. “It feels wonderful to know that my support will continue, even when I’m no longer here.”

Strengthening the Future of Your Favourite Charity

Legacy gifts are more than just donations—they are acts of love that extend beyond one’s lifetime. When you include a charity in your will, you help to strengthen its ability to plan for the long-term and deliver vital services well into the future. Bequests in wills or trusts allow charities to invest in new programs, respond to emerging needs, and ensure their mission endures.

Your legacy gift, no matter the size, contributes to the sustainability of the charity you care about. It sends a powerful message to future generations about the importance of giving back and supporting community causes. In this way, your generosity becomes a guiding light, inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.

Making Legacy Giving Simple and Accessible

We understand that planning your legacy can feel overwhelming, but it’s simpler than many people think. To make the process as easy as possible, we have partnered with Evaheld, a free and secure online service. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is an all-in-one place where you can organise your wishes, including support for your loved ones and the charities close to your heart.

With easy prompts and clear guidance, Evaheld helps you document your intentions in plain language. For example, a typical bequest might read: “I give X% of my estate to [Charity Name]…” This ensures your wishes are honoured and your legacy is protected. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is designed to remove barriers, making legacy giving accessible, secure, and straightforward for everyone.

Your journey of generosity is something to be celebrated. By choosing to include a legacy gift in your will, you are making a lasting statement about the values that matter most to you. Thank you for considering this special way to continue your support and leave a lasting impact.

Plan ahead with confidence — create your free Advance Care Plan in the Evaheld Legacy Vault to record your healthcare wishes, appoint decision-makers, and give your loved ones clarity, comfort, and peace of mind.

Demystifying Bequest Language: Clear and Simple

For many supporters, the idea of including a bequest in their will can feel daunting or complicated. Yet, leaving a gift in your will is a powerful way to continue your lifelong generosity and values, ensuring that the causes you care about remain supported well into the future. The good news is that bequest language doesn’t need to be filled with legal jargon or complexity. In fact, it can be remarkably straightforward.

Understanding Common Bequest Phrases

A bequest will simply refers to a will that includes a gift to a person, charity, or cause. The language used to make these gifts is known as bequest language. Most often, you will see phrases like:

“I give X% of my estate to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”

This clear, direct approach ensures your wishes are understood and legally recognised, while also making it easy for your loved ones and chosen charity to honour your intentions.

Specific Bequests: Leaving a Particular Gift

A specific bequest is when you leave a particular item or a set amount of money to a beneficiary. This could be cash, shares, property, or even a treasured possession. Here is a simple example:

“I give the sum of $10,000 to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”

Specific bequests are a great way to ensure a particular asset or amount is passed on exactly as you wish.

Residual Bequests: Giving What Remains

A residual bequest is a gift of whatever is left in your estate after all other gifts, debts, and expenses have been taken care of. This is a popular choice for many supporters who want to make sure their family and friends are looked after first, with the remainder supporting their favourite causes. For example:

“I give the residue of my estate to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”

Residual bequests are flexible and ensure your legacy can adapt to changes in your circumstances over time.

Beneficiary Designations: An Alternative Legacy Option

Another simple way to leave a legacy is through beneficiary designations. This means naming a charity as a beneficiary of your superannuation, life insurance, or other financial accounts. This can often be done by completing a form with your provider—no need to update your will.

Sample Bequest Wording Made Easy

To help you get started, here are some sample bequest wordings you can share with your solicitor or will-writing service:

  • Percentage Bequest: “I give 10% of my estate to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”
  • Specific Bequest: “I give the sum of $5,000 to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”
  • Residual Bequest: “I give the residue of my estate to [Charity Name], [Charity Address], ABN [Charity Tax ID] for its general purposes.”

Making the Process Simple with Evaheld

To make considering your whole legacy easier, Evaheld offers a free, secure Legacy Vault—an all-in-one place to document your wishes, including any bequest will details or beneficiary designations. With easy prompts and guidance, Evaheld helps you organise your legacy in a way that reflects your values and supports the causes you love, without the need for complicated legal language.

Remember, your bequest can be as simple or as detailed as you wish. What matters most is that your intentions are clear, and your legacy continues to make a difference for generations to come.

Introducing Evaheld: Your Legacy’s Secure Keeper

For many supporters, generosity is not just a one-time act—it is a lifelong value. Thank you for the kindness and commitment you have shown to causes close to your heart. Now, as you consider the future, you have the opportunity to extend your impact through planned giving. Including a charitable gift in your estate plan is a powerful way to ensure your values live on, supporting the people and organisations you care about for generations to come.

Making Legacy Planning Simple and Accessible

We understand that thinking about your legacy can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be complicated. In fact, making a bequest is simpler than many people realise. It is about ensuring all your wishes—for your family, friends, and the causes you love—are clearly documented and respected. A typical bequest might read: “I give X% of my estate to [Charity Name] to be used for its general purposes.” This straightforward approach allows you to continue supporting the work you believe in, while also looking after those closest to you.

Evaheld Legacy Vault: A Modern Solution for Planned Giving

To make considering your whole legacy easier, we have partnered with Evaheld—a free, secure service designed to help you organise your wishes in one simple place. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is a modern, user-friendly tool that guides you through every step of legacy planning. Whether you are new to estate planning or updating an existing will, Evaheld offers easy prompts to help you document your intentions, including charitable gifts if you choose.

  • All-in-one organisation: Store your legacy wishes, important documents, and personal messages securely in one place.
  • Charitable gifts made easy: Evaheld’s guided prompts make it simple to include a bequest to your chosen charity, ensuring your planned giving intentions are clear and legally sound.
  • Free to use: There is no cost to you for using Evaheld to organise your estate plan and legacy wishes.

Security and Privacy You Can Trust

Your privacy and security are paramount. The Evaheld platform uses advanced encryption and secure servers to protect your sensitive information. Only you and those you authorise can access your Legacy Vault. You can update your wishes at any time, giving you complete control and peace of mind.

Real Supporters, Real Peace of Mind

“I always wanted to leave something for my favourite charity, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. Evaheld made it so easy. The prompts guided me step by step, and I felt reassured knowing my wishes are safely recorded. It’s a wonderful feeling to know my legacy will continue to help others.”

— Margaret, Evaheld user and charity supporter

A Forward-Thinking Partnership for Your Legacy

By partnering with Evaheld, our charity is committed to making legacy giving as straightforward and accessible as possible. We are proud to offer this modern, supportive solution to our valued supporters. Research shows that using free estate planning tools like Evaheld increases the likelihood of including bequests, helping more people leave a lasting impact.

With Evaheld, you have a secure, easy-to-use platform that removes barriers and simplifies the process of planned giving. It is our way of supporting you as you shape a legacy that reflects your lifelong values and generosity.

Why Legacy Giving Is Simpler Than You Think

Many supporters believe that legacy giving—also known as planned giving—requires complex legal knowledge or endless paperwork. In reality, including a bequest in your estate plan is far more straightforward than most people expect. For those who have given generously throughout their lives, a gift in your will is a powerful way to continue supporting the causes you care about, while also ensuring your loved ones are looked after.

Normalising Legacy Giving as Part of Your Estate Plan

It’s common to feel uncertain about estate planning. Many supporters share the initial worry that making a will or adding a bequest is a daunting legal task. However, the process is simply about capturing your wishes—making sure your family, friends, and the charities you love are all included. Think of legacy giving as a natural extension of your values, woven into your estate plan alongside provisions for those closest to you.

“I always thought leaving a gift in my will would be complicated, but it was just a matter of adding a few lines to my will. Now I know my family and my favourite charity will both be remembered.” – Margaret, supporter aged 67

When supporters approach legacy giving, it’s helpful to shift from seeing it as a legal hurdle to viewing it as a personal journey. This is your chance to reflect on what matters most, and to ensure your estate plan aligns with your values. You remain in complete control of your assets throughout your lifetime; nothing changes until your wishes are carried out after your passing. This means you can continue to support your loved ones and the causes close to your heart, in the way that feels right for you.

How Simple Is It to Add a Bequest?

Adding a bequest to your will is often as simple as including a short clause. For example:

I give [X% of my estate / $X amount / the residue of my estate] to [Charity Name], to be used for its general purposes.

This straightforward statement is all it takes to make a lasting difference. There’s no need for complicated arrangements or legal jargon—just a clear expression of your wishes.

Introducing Evaheld: Making Legacy Planning Even Easier

To make considering your whole legacy easier, our charity has partnered with Evaheld. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is a free, secure, and modern service designed to help you organise your estate plan, including your wishes for family, friends, and charities. With simple prompts and guidance, Evaheld makes it easy to document your intentions, update them as your circumstances change, and include a charitable gift if you choose.

  • All-in-one place: Store your wishes, documents, and bequest details securely.
  • Guided prompts: Step-by-step questions help you consider everything important to you.
  • Lifetime control: You stay in charge of your assets and can update your wishes at any time.
  • Support for your values: Easily include a bequest to your favourite charity, alongside provisions for loved ones.

By using Evaheld, supporters like you have found that legacy giving is not only manageable, but also deeply rewarding. It’s about ensuring your legacy reflects your life’s generosity and values, in a way that’s simple, secure, and entirely your own.

Crafting Your Bequest: Practical Steps and Examples

Thank you for your ongoing generosity and commitment to making a difference. Many supporters like you are now considering how their values can continue to shape the future, even beyond their lifetime. Including a bequest in your will is a powerful way to create a lasting legacy, ensuring your loved ones and the causes you care about are provided for.

Making a Bequest Will: Simpler Than You Think

Planning a bequest will is often much simpler than people expect. It’s about making sure your wishes—whether for family, friends, or your favourite charity—are clearly documented. You do not need to be wealthy to leave a meaningful gift. Every bequest, large or small, helps continue the work you care about.

Types of Bequests: Specific and Residual Gifts

There are two main ways to include a charity in your estate plan:

  • Specific Bequests: This is when you leave a particular item or a fixed amount of money. For example, “I give $5,000 to [Charity Name].”
  • Residual Bequests: This is when you leave a percentage or the remainder of your estate after other gifts and expenses have been paid. For example, “I give 10% of the residue of my estate to [Charity Name].”

Both options allow you to support your loved ones and your chosen causes. Many supporters choose a residual bequest, as it automatically adjusts with the size of your estate.

Sample Bequest Language

Using clear, simple language in your will helps ensure your wishes are carried out. Here are examples you can discuss with your advisor or tailor to your needs:

  • Specific Bequest:
    “I give $10,000 to [Charity Name], ABN [Charity ABN], for its general purposes.”
  • Residual Bequest:
    “I give 20% of the residue of my estate to [Charity Name], ABN [Charity ABN], for its general purposes.”

Including the charity’s full legal name and ABN helps avoid confusion and ensures your gift assets reach their intended destination.

Step-by-Step: Including a Bequest in Your Will

  1. Consider your loved ones and the causes you wish to support.
  2. Decide what type of bequest (specific or residual) suits your wishes.
  3. Use the sample wording above as a guide, or adapt it with your legal advisor.
  4. Document your wishes securely using a trusted tool, such as the Evaheld Legacy Vault.
  5. Let your family and the charity know about your intentions, if you feel comfortable.

Evaheld Legacy Vault: Your All-in-One Solution

To make planning your legacy easier, we have partnered with Evaheld. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is a free, secure online service that guides you through documenting your wishes, including charitable gifts. With simple prompts, you can ensure your bequest is recorded alongside your other important estate planning details, all in one place.

Professional Advice and Estate Planning Benefits

While many supporters use the Evaheld Vault on their own, consulting a legal or estate professional can provide extra peace of mind. They can help tailor your bequest to suit your circumstances and ensure your estate plan takes advantage of any available tax benefits for your estate and beneficiaries.

Wild Card: A Hypothetical Legacy Story

Legacy giving is often seen as something reserved for the wealthy or those with large estates. However, the true power of planned giving lies in its ability to create meaningful change, no matter the size of the gift. To illustrate this, let’s imagine the story of George—a supporter whose modest bequest left a lasting mark on his community and inspired others to consider their own legacy.

George’s Gift: Modest Means, Mighty Impact

George was a long-time supporter of his favourite local charity. Over the years, he attended events, volunteered his time, and made regular donations. As he approached his retirement, George began to think about how he could continue supporting the causes he cared about, even after he was gone. He wanted to ensure that his values—kindness, community, and opportunity—would live on.

After speaking with his family, George decided to include a bequest in his will. He used simple language: “I give 5% of my estate to [Charity Name] to support their community outreach program.” George was relieved to find the process straightforward, and he appreciated that he could provide for his loved ones while also making a charitable gift.

Practical Support: Making Legacy Giving Simple

George’s journey was made easier by the charity’s partnership with Evaheld. Through the Evaheld Legacy Vault, George found a secure, free, and easy-to-use service where he could document all his wishes in one place. The platform gently guided him through the process, ensuring his intentions for family, friends, and charitable gifts were clearly recorded. This gave George peace of mind, knowing that his legacy would be honoured exactly as he intended.

The Ripple Effect of a Planned Gift

When George’s bequest was realised, it funded a new after-school program for local children—a cause close to his heart. The impact was immediate: more children had a safe place to learn and grow, and their families felt supported. But the story didn’t end there. News of George’s planned gift spread throughout the community, inspiring others to consider how their own legacy could make a difference.

“George’s gift showed us that you don’t need to be wealthy to leave a legacy. Every contribution, no matter the size, can change lives.” — Community Program Leader

Inspiration for Others: The Power of Legacy Giving

George’s story became a catalyst for conversation. At community gatherings and charity events, people began to ask questions about planned giving. Many were surprised to learn how simple it was to include a bequest in their will, and how tools like Evaheld could help them organise their wishes securely and privately. The charity saw an increase in supporters using the Evaheld Legacy Vault to document their intentions, further strengthening the community’s future.

Imagine Your Own Legacy

George’s legacy is a powerful reminder that planned giving is about more than just money—it’s about values, hope, and the desire to make a lasting difference. Whether your estate is large or small, your charitable gifts can create ripples of positive change for generations to come. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure your wishes are honoured and your support for the causes you love continues well into the future.

Wrapping Up: Your Legacy, Your Gift, Your Story

As we reach the end of this guide, it is only fitting to pause and express heartfelt gratitude to you—our supporter. Your generosity, compassion, and commitment have already made a meaningful difference in the lives of many. Now, as you consider the next chapter of your giving journey, we invite you to reflect on the extraordinary impact of legacy giving.

A charitable legacy is more than a gift; it is a continuation of your values and the story you have written through your life. By including a bequest in your will, you ensure that the causes you care about can thrive for generations to come. Many supporters are surprised to learn just how simple and accessible planned giving can be. It is not just for the wealthy or the few—it is for anyone who wishes to make a lasting difference, while also ensuring that their wishes for family, friends, and cherished causes are honoured.

The process of leaving a legacy gift is straightforward. In most cases, it can be as simple as including a short clause in your will, such as: “I give X% of my estate to [Charity Name] for its general charitable purposes.” This small step can have a profound and lasting impact, both for your loved ones and for the community you care about.

We understand that planning your legacy can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. To make this process as easy and secure as possible, we have partnered with Evaheld. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is a free, secure, and user-friendly service designed to help you organise your wishes in one place. With simple prompts and clear guidance, Evaheld empowers you to capture your intentions for your family, friends, and the causes close to your heart. Including a charitable gift is entirely your choice, and the platform ensures your wishes are documented exactly as you intend.

Legacy giving tools like Evaheld are designed to empower donors, making it easier than ever to create a plan that reflects your values. By using the Evaheld Legacy Vault, you are not only making a practical decision—you are also taking a powerful step to ensure your story continues. Your legacy is a living testament to your beliefs, your hopes, and your generosity. It is a gift that will inspire and support others long into the future.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and support. Your commitment to our cause is deeply appreciated, and we are honoured to be part of your legacy journey. As you reflect on your life and the values that have guided you, we encourage you to consider the enduring difference you can make through planned giving. Your story is unique, and your legacy can be as well.

Leaving a legacy gift is not just about what you leave behind—it is about the life you live today and the hope you give for tomorrow. With Evaheld’s support, creating your charitable legacy is simpler and more accessible than ever. We invite you to take the next step, secure in the knowledge that your legacy will continue to make the world a better place.

Your legacy. Your gift. Your story—carried forward with love, gratitude, and purpose.

Future-Proof Your Family’s Story with the Evaheld Legacy Vault

Imagine a single, permanent home for your life's most precious layers: the laughter in your stories, the wisdom in your wishes, and the clarity of your care plans. The Evaheld Legacy Vault is that home—a guaranteed sanctuary for your legacy, designed to outlive the digital noise and ensure your voice is heard for generations.

This is more than storage; it's the one account your family will thank you for creating.

Take control of what matters most — set up your free Evaheld Legacy Vault to keep your stories, care wishes, and essential documents safe, organised, and instantly shareable with loved ones and advisers, for life.

Get Your Vault Running in Minutes with Charli, Your AI Legacy Preservation Assistant

Stop feeling overwhelmed. Charli is your proactive guide who simplifies every step—from setting up your vault and inviting family members to sending smart content requests and helping you articulate your stories. She doesn't just help you write; she helps you build, ensuring your entire legacy is preserved efficiently and authentically.

Your All-in-One Legacy Solution

  • Preserve a Rich, Living History: Build a first-person narrative with video messages, audio recordings, legacy letters, and recipes—a digital heirloom where your wisdom and memories are kept safe and searchable.
  • Co-Create in Family Rooms: Spark conversations and gather memories together in shared, collaborative spaces. It’s a living scrapbook that grows with every contribution from your family.
  • Simplify Every Step with Charli, Your AI Legacy Preservation Assistant: From onboarding and inviting family to sending content requests and articulating your stories, Charli provides proactive guidance throughout your entire legacy-building journey—ensuring nothing is forgotten while keeping the process effortless.
  • Honour Your Care Wishes: Complete your legally valid Digital Advance Care Directive with our intuitive tool. Grant loved ones and clinicians instant, secure access, ending frantic document searches for good.
  • Grant Emergency Access in Seconds: Share or print your unique QR Emergency Access Card. A single scan gives first responders immediate access to your directives, enabling faster, better-aligned care when every second counts.
  • Safeguard Every Essential Document: Consolidate your will, power of attorney, superannuation details, and more in one bank-grade encrypted vault. Your family will always find what they need, securely.

How to Secure Your Legacy in Minutes

  1. Start Your Free Vault: Claim your personal, secure space in under a minute. No cost, no commitment.
  2. Add Your People & Open Rooms: Invite family to shared Rooms to begin co-creating your story and sending content requests.
  3. Build Your Legacy: Use your built-in AI assistant to help capture memories and refine your messages. Upload documents and record your care wishes. Your voice, preserved forever.

Why Thousands Are Choosing Evaheld

By starting your free Evaheld Legacy Vault, you gain:

  • A Living Time Capsule — preserve your family’s identity, values, and care choices in one lasting digital home.
  • With Charli, Your AI Assistant, Preserving Your Story is Effortless
  • Ease & Organisation — everything important, easily shared and always up to date.
  • Peace of Mind for All Generations — loved ones know exactly what you wish, and where to find it.
  • Free to Begin, Forever to Keep — create your vault now and secure lifetime access

Watch our Cofounder's Story to learn why we’re so passionate about Legacy Preservation and Advance Care Planning

The Best 3 Resources to Get Started

Start Your Vault — It’s Free and Forever Yours

Building your Evaheld Legacy Vault takes minutes — and protects your stories, care plans, and family legacy for generations. Give your loved ones the greatest gift of all: peace of mind that never expires.

TL;DR: Including a charitable gift in your will is easier than you think. Using Evaheld’s Legacy Vault, supporters can securely and simply document their legacy wishes, ensuring their values live on through planned giving.

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