Leave a Bequest
Have you ever considered leaving a bequest?
A bequest to Friends of the Koala is an amazing way to help secure the future of koalas and leave a lasting legacy.
Help save koalas with a gift in your will!
Leaving a bequest to save koalas is a remarkable act of kindness that actively contributes to the survival of the species.
You are creating a koala legacy that will protect koalas for generations. You will be supporting conservation efforts that genuinely make a difference.
Why leave a bequest to Friends of the Koala charity?
As well as caring for thousands of sick and injured koalas in our koala hospital, we play a vital role in koala habitat restoration. We initiate and execute ground-breaking koala research.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, we rely heavily on community support. We don’t have a marketing team, so it may seem like we have a smaller voice than others fundraising for koalas…
BUT OUR IMPACT IS NOT SMALL
Friends of the Koala have people on the ground, every day, working every angle for the conservation of habitat and survival of this precious species.
Friends of the Koala is one of the longest-standing koala charities, operating for over 35 years.
Friends of the Koala is the most holistic koala charity and with only a small number of staff and over 200 dedicated volunteers, we are also one of the most effective, and we believe, most passionate koala charities in the world.
How to leave a bequest
If you are considering leaving Friends of the Koala a bequest, thank you!
We (and the koalas!) will accept your gift with gratitude and appreciation.
Here are some resources to help you make a bequest.
Your solicitor will have the most up-to-date advice. For bequests we suggest including the following clause in your will:
“I BEQUEATH to Friends of the Koala Incorporated (ABN 69 322 819 171) of Rifle Range Road, East Lismore NSW 2480, Australia, for the general purpose of Friends of the Koala [insert here the sum of the bequest or a statement defining the bequest] free of all duties and taxes payable at my death AND I DECLARE that the receipt of the Treasurer for the time being of Friends of the Koala Incorporated shall be a sufficient discharge to my Trustee(s).”
For more information on Friends of the Koala prior to deciding, or for those with further questions about leaving bequests, please reach out to us.
Email: manager@friendsofthekoala.org
Phone: (02) 6621 4664
Did you know?!
70% of Australian adults don't have a legally binding will!
Regardless of how much you own, having an up-to-date will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family.
Not only can a will legally protect your spouse, children, and assets, it can also spell out how you would like things handled.
To encourage our supporters to take this important job off their to-do list, Friends of the Koala have partnered with the top-rated will writing platform, Gathered Here. Gathered Here offers free and legally binding wills in less than 10 minutes, with unlimited updates for life.
After you’ve provided for your loved ones, please consider leaving a small percentage of your estate to Friends of the Koala. Whilst this is not a requirement, a bequest or a gift in your will is a lasting and meaningful way to secure a future for koalas for generations to come.
Koala Bequest FAQ
What you choose to bequest depends on you!
There are many options for bequests, depending on your circumstances, the common ones include:
- A specific gift, such as money, property, shares, insurance policies, jewellery or anything of value.
- Your entire estate, a nominated portion of your estate, or a fixed percentage of your estate.
- The balance of your estate after specific bequests and gifts have been left to family and friends.
Friends of the Koala is one of Australia’s longest standing koala charities, and one of the most efficient and effective. We are a grassroots organisation with a depth of local knowledge and 35 years of experience working directly to conserve habitat and protect koalas individually and as a species. We have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by koalas in our region.
Friends of the Koala take a holistic and hands-on approach to koala conservation. We focus on:
- the care and protection of koalas in our koala hospital and rehabilitation centre,
- the conservation of koala habitat,
- advocacy for policy changes,
- community education and engagement,
- partnership with local landowners,
- research and more!
According to Change Path Friends of the Koala is the highest rating koala charity (4.8/5 stars) for transparency and finance. We are committed to efficient financial management and to using donations effectively for koala conservation. With over 200 dedicated volunteers we operate with considerable efficiency.
Friends of the Koala will always remain independent to ensure we can always give a voice to koalas and their survival needs. We are committed to do everything possible to ensure the survival of the koala. Funds we receive from gifts in wills make up a considerable part of our modest operating budget.
We take great pleasure in acknowledging your gift and would like to express our gratitude for your willingness to be recognized. The specific nature of the acknowledgement depends on the type of gift you bequeath.
For example, if the bequest is an unconditional cash donation, we will include your name in a list of individuals who have endorsed our cause.
If a gift is provided to build a building or some other form of infrastructure – like a koala run or a bench, there is the possibility of naming rights for the particular piece of infrastructure with a set of wording agreed upon between you and Friends of the Koala.
If you don’t wish to be acknowledged, you can give a gift anonymously.
Please contact us with your wishes and we can work it out together.
Email: manager@friendsofthekoala.org
Phone: (02) 6621 4664
Bequests to Friends of the Koala will help fund the many areas of koala conservation that we focus on.
Our habitat restoration work is crucial to the survival of the species. This work includes tree planting, advocacy, community engagement, and research.
Our koala rescue and rehabilitation service cares for injured and displaced koalas until they are ready to be released back into the wild.
Our vaccination program has led the way in protecting koalas from one of the most deadly diseases they face right now, chlamydia.
And more! Our website is a great starting place to see the areas we focus on and if you have more questions, please get in touch.
Absolutely! However, unrestricted funds are ideal as they allow for flexibility in addressing urgent needs. If you wish to allocate your funds towards a specific cause, kindly reach out to us for an up-to-date list of programs and projects that require funding.
Another option is to dedicate your funds towards our endowment - a reserve that ensures the long-term sustainability of Friends of the Koala.
This depends entirely on your preference. Friends of the Koala are grateful and happy about any monetary or property contribution. It’s important that all parties involved are content with and informed about the agreement.
No, bequests and charitable gifts can be for any amount, large or small. A gift can be a percentage of your estate or whatever is left after you have cared for your other commitments.
Every contribution will help ensure that we can continue our work to save koalas!
Please know that without the support of people like you, who will leave a bequest in our favour, this work would not be possible.
If you have a solicitor who manages your will, please discuss with them what you need to ensure they fulfil your intentions.
If you don’t have a will, Friends of the Koala have partnered with Gathered Here who provide our Australian supporters with the option of writing a free will online. This way, you can ensure they will manage everything in alignment with your values and wishes.
There is no legal obligation to tell anybody of your intention for bequests. Whether you do depends entirely on your personal circumstances. Some people provide for their loved ones and give to charity.
Some people leave their entire estate to charity because the cause is important to them or because they don’t have family or loved ones.