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Your Bequest: Your Legacy That Will Last A Lifetime

Your Bequest Will Change The Lives of Australian Children In Need

After you have taken care of your loved ones, including The Smith Family in your Will can be a simple way to make a lasting difference. Your bequest can make a positive difference for generations of disadvantaged Australian children.

Growing up in poverty meant Rhiannon couldn't fit in and enjoy school like the other students.

Rhiannon and her grandmother

Growing up in poverty meant Rhiannon couldn't fit in and enjoy school like the other students.

Her family’s financial disadvantage meant that Rhiannon missed out on the things that other children take for granted.

She couldn’t keep up in class, she lost confidence and the other children made fun of her. Increasingly, Rhiannon withdrew and eventually she just wished she was invisible.  Unfortunately, Rhiannon’s story isn’t unique; The Smith Family work with children just like her every day.

Leaving a gift in your Will means that you can change the future for generations of disadvantaged children.  Your gift will provide ongoing support and effective out-of-school learning programs throughout a child’s education. These will help future generations of disadvantaged children to build the skills they need to find their inner confidence, realise their potential and create a better future for themselves – just like Rhiannon has.

To learn more about The Smith Family, or to order your gifts in Wills Planning Pack, please contact us now.
Contact Us

We make every dollar count

Expenditure to administer programs and run the organisation is integral to our sustainability and outcomes.
Doug Taylor, CEO

We make every dollar count

With a bequest to The Smith Family, you’ll know your legacy will have the greatest impact on helping disadvantaged Australian children transform their lives through education. 

For over 100 years we’ve been making every dollar count. In the five years to June 2023 72% of donations from our supporters has been spent on our community programs helping Australian children. 28% of our resources has been invested in the vital activities that build our continuing organisational capacity and sustainability.

Rhiannon

Gift in Wills Stories

Hear how you can help young Australians like Rhiannon break the cycle of disadvantage.
Mother and daughter sitting on the floor reading

What your gift can do

Providing resources and support to help disadvantaged children achieve the required reading standard.

Meet Jon

Jon knew leaving a gift in his Will to The Smith Family would create more possibilities for disadvantaged students.

How To Leave A Gift In Your Will

Step 1. Speak to your family and loved ones

This is a personal decision for you to make, but we recommend letting your family know that you are planning to leave a gift to The Smith Family so they are aware of your decision.

Step 2. Decide what kind of gift to leave

There are three main ways to leave a gift in your Will to The Smith Family.

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Residual

You can make a gift of the remainder, or a percentage of the remainder, of your estate once your loved ones and expenses have been taken care of.

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Specific

You can make a specific bequest by simply stating the dollar amount in your Will that you wish to leave to The Smith Family.

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Asset

You may wish to make a gift of a specific asset, for example real estate, shares or bonds, or an item of particular value.

Step 3. Get the help of a professional solicitor

The Smith Family recommend that you consult a solicitor before writing, or updating your Will.

Step 4. Making your Will

To include your chosen gift to The Smith Family when you write your Will, provide your solicitor with the following wording:

“I ..................bequeath to The Smith Family ABN 28 000 030 179 (insert the percentage or residue of your client’s estate, the amount of money, or the details of assets your client wishes to leave). My bequest is to be used for the general purposes of The Smith Family. I declare that the receipt of the Secretary or other proper officer shall be a complete discharge of my bequest.”

Download Guide

How to inform us of your gift

We would love to know that you have included The Smith Family in your Will. We would like to be able to thank you personally. You can inform us that you have a gift in your Will by contacting our team by email gifts-in-wills@thesmithfamily.com.au or call on 02 9085 7118.
My mother grew up in a really tough area and lived her life in disadvantage. That’s what my brother and I experienced too. We were fortunate in our late teenage years when The Smith Family came into our lives and provided us with a financial scholarship. Getting the support I needed through the Learning for Life program changed my life. I was able to finish my education and get my dream job and build a great life for myself!
Mark, former Learning for Life student.
Mark Learning for Life student
Ben Watkinson, Company Secretary
Leaving a gift in your Will is not a complicated thing to do. Nevertheless, we do recommend that you consult a solicitor or legal advisor before writing or updating your Will. They will help you through the process and ensure that all your paperwork is in order.
Ben Watkinson, Company Secretary

Connect with our team

For more information, please contact our gifts in Wills team by email gifts-in-wills@thesmithfamily.com.au, call  02 9085 7118 or fill out the form and we will be in touch shortly.
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The Smith Family respects your privacy. Please read our Privacy Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bequests

Without a Will, your assets will be distributed according to state law. By having a Will you can ensure that your assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes so your loved ones and charities of choice are provided for.

The following standard wording can be included in your Will:

“I (insert name here) bequeath to The Smith Family ABN 28 000 030 179 (insert the percentage or residue of your estate, the amount of money, or the details of your property, shares, bonds or item of value). My bequest is to be used for the general purposes of The Smith Family. I declare that the receipt of the Secretary or other proper officer shall be a complete discharge of my bequest.”

For bequests for a defined purpose such as support for a specific Community Program (for example Learning for Life), or for use within a specific region, the wording in red above can be replaced with the following (or similar):

‘My bequest is to be used to support the Learning for Life program. If at the time of my death the program is no longer operating, then my bequest is to be used for the general purposes of The Smith Family.’

You may also require the following information:
• The Smith Family ABN: 28 000 030 179
• Registered address: The Smith Family, Level 17, 2 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000

A bequest is a gift left in your Will. A financial gift will help us make the greatest impact on the lives of children in need. You can leave this as a specified amount in your Will or as a residuary gift, such as a percentage of your estate or the remainder of your estate once your loved ones have been taken care of.

You can also make a bequest in the form of shares, property or material gifts. We suggest speaking to a solicitor who can guide you in the most suitable bequest for your circumstances.

Your bequest has the power to help future generations of young Australians overcome the educational inequality caused by poverty.

There are different kinds of gifts you can leave in your Will, however many of our supporters choose to leave a monetary gift in the form of a residuary bequest.

Other options include a specified amount of money or an asset, for example real estate, shares, bonds or an item of value.

We will use your gift carefully and cost effectively to help disadvantaged young Australians to succeed at school so they can create better futures for themselves.

We will give you, your family and loved ones the opportunity to engage with The Smith Family, and see firsthand the work made possible through your bequest.

While it is not necessary, we do appreciate it when our supporters let us know about their intended bequest. This helps us plan for the future and gives us the opportunity to pass on our thanks for your generosity. You can do this using the attached form, or by calling us on 1800 024 069.

This is a personal decision for you to make, but we do suggest letting your family know of your wishes ahead of time. And please rest assured that all information about your bequest will be treated confidentially by The Smith Family.

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