Leave something that will live on after you

Wouldn’t it be great to know that you can still help others, even when you’re gone? Your legacy can help spell an end to new HIV transmissions in New Zealand.

Bequests are for everyday people

A bequest is a gift left in a will. Many people don’t realise that you don’t have to be rich or famous to make a bequest, when the truth is that most bequests are made by ordinary, hardworking people who want to make a positive difference to their community after they're gone. 

The good news is that including a charity in your will is just as easy as providing for your loved ones. And it can be as much or as little as you want.

A way to keep on supporting

Without the generosity of everyday Kiwis, we wouldn't be able to provide the range of services we do. Bequests form the financial basis of many New Zealand charities and are essential for ensuring the good work they do continues into the future. 

How to leave us a gift in your will, in three easy steps

A will is the only way for you to say how your money should be used after your death. A will also means less confusion and heartache for your loved ones in their time of grief. If you don’t make a will, part or all of your estate may end up going to people you never intended to benefit.  

1. Ask us for more information on leaving a bequest. Please contact our fundraiser for a confidential, no-obligation chat about how your bequest can make a difference. 
2. Speak to your solicitor/trust company about making a will, or changing your existing will to include Burnett Foundation Aotearoa. If you already have a will, it might be that you can draw up a codicil - an addition or amendment to your will. This codicil will then be incorporated into your will. 

Our full name is Burnett Foundation Aotearoa and our registered charity number is CC22230. You will need these details to give to your lawyer in order to make a bequest.

3. Speak to your family and friends about your decision, so they can support the achievement of your charitable goals when the time comes.  

Here are a few examples of the good work your gift could contribute to long into the future:

• Our fellowship at the University of Auckland is an important part of our prevention work. The research conducted through the fellowship is unique in that it is the only research conducted into the behaviour and attitudes of our target audience, producing high quality data which is then used to design and drive effective prevention campaigns and lobby for positive policy change. 
• HIV does not discriminate and neither do we.  As our population changes we need to work to meet the corresponding nature of HIV.  Our culturally diverse community engagement strategy ensures that our messages are effective and engaging. The best way to do that is to make sure that they’re culturally appropriate and mirror the changing face of NZ and the specific health needs within the Māori, Pasifika, Asian and African communities.
• Testing is a key pillar in our prevention strategy therefore a core function of our service delivery.  The more people that test, the more people know their status and can access treatment if necessary. We know from research that if someone starts treatment earlier they are more likely to attain an undetectable viral load meaning it’s harder to transmit HIV.  We also know that the most infectious period is in the first weeks after transmission. Unfortunately, while our funding has been frozen since 2008, the number of clients wanting to test with us has tripled over the same time period. This means that we are no longer able to meet testing demand and that clients are having to be put on wait lists, which is far from ideal.
• We know that having an honest conversation about experiences of HIV is vital in keeping each other safe and supported in our communities. We recognise HIV-related stigma for what it is – a significant challenge in responding to HIV in New Zealand, yet it is often cloaked in silence.  Stigma adds to isolation, fear and misinformation about HIV. Sharing real experiences of HIV can be a simple and powerful way of countering this. Stigma reduction has been recognised as high priority in prevention however it is unfunded. People deserve dignity and respect.

All of these programmes have really and tangible impact on our mission and the health and wellbeing of the community has a whole.  Your bequest can ensure a lasting difference.

Common questions

• What about my family and friends?
  Including a charity is not about excluding your family. We believe there's most often room to consider both. And by including a charity you'll be helping to build a more supportive community for your own children and grandchildren, something they'll appreciate long into the future.
  
  
• I thought bequests were just for the rich and famous?
  You don’t have to be “wealthy” to include a charity in your will.  Anyone can leave a charitable gift. Regardless of its size, it can make a big difference to a cause that is important to you. 
  
  
• I want to include a charity but don’t know where to start?
  Your lawyer/solicitor can help you prepare a will or amend your current one.  Also the charity you are considering can provide assistance. For a confidential chat email [email protected].
  
  
• Do I have to tell the charitable organisation I’m leaving a gift?
  If you've arranged to make a gift to our charity, we would naturally love to hear about it. That way we’ll have the opportunity to thank you personally and perhaps discuss how we might invest your future gift. Letting us know what you've done also helps give us an idea of how many people are planning to leave a gift in their will, which helps us plan for the future. If you wish your gift to remain anonymous, your request will be honoured. 
  
  
• For further help and more information contact us at [email protected].