Make a bequest

Why choose The Alannah and Madeline Foundation?

• Every year more than 30,000 children in Australia are abused or neglected.
• Two thirds of children abused or neglected in Australia are under 10 years of age.
• The number of children in out-of-home care has increased by 51.5 per cent since 2005.
• 2009 study indicated cyberbullying affects at least one in 10 students in Australia.
• 20 per cent of all children online will be targeted by an online predator or paedophile each year. Most don't tell for fear of losing access to their phone or internet.

How your bequest will make a difference

With a safe financial future, the Foundation is better able to plan our programs and service to both care for those who have been traumatised by violence or to prevent negative situations in schools and online.

Your bequest, no matter the amount, will make a huge difference in the lives of children. Here's some examples of how your bequest may be used.

• $2,200 can fund the Better Buddies Framework into a primary school to help create a friendly and caring school environment where bullying is reduced

• $3,500 will supply a school the eSmart cyber safety framework
• $4,000 will put a child through the Children Ahead Program for a year
• $5,000 will fund one year's worth of psychotherapy, music, pet or art therapy sessions at a domestic violence refuge for a group of children in need
• $12,000 funds 100 Buddy Bags containing essential items for a child in emergency accommodation. 

Why do I need a Will?

A Will is a legal document that ensures that your wishes are carried out when you pass away, particularly in terms of how you wish to distribute your assets and possessions. Without a Will, your relatives may disagree about what to do with your estate or, if you don't have relatives, the government may decide.

Making a bequest to a charity is a wonderful way to truly make a difference and leave a lasting legacy

A bequest might be a specific amount of money or assets, a percentage of those assets, or the residual (what is left over after heirs and other obligations are paid) from an estate.

If you don't have a Will already, you can engage a Solicitor write one for you. Getting professional advice is the best way to make sure the correct wording is used to avoid potential mistakes and misunderstandings regarding your wishes

If you already have a Will you can change it at any time. It is advised that you revise your Will every five years and whenever there is a major change within your extended family. Your wishes or circumstances may change over the years, so make sure your Will reflects this.

Keep in mind

Here is a list of the simple things to remember when making a Will.

• Make sure a family member knows where to find your Will. Ideally the original should be with your Lawyer and a copy kept with your other important documents at home.
• All Wills need to be signed or witnessed properly, each state has rules on this. Usually it requires two independent adults who are not potential beneficiaries.
• Take into account the small sentimental items or those with no commercial value such as photos. It is often these items which family members squabble over due to the fact the Will does not include instructions as to what should be left to beneficiaries.

How can I find out more?

If you would like to talk confidentially to someone about including The Alannah and Madeline Foundation in your Will, you can call Cherie Shaw on 03 9697 0666 or email her at cherie.shaw@amf.org.au. Cherie can discuss, without any obligation, the ways in which you can leave a donation to us and what your donation will achieve. We will ensure that what you leave to us is used well.

This information is also available to download by clicking on the links below:

Bequest information
Bequest formalities

If you have already included the Foundation in your Will, please let us know so that we can effectively plan for the Foundation's financial future and recognise your contribution in your lifetime. Full confidentiality can be assured if that is your wish.