Leave a legacy of reason and compassion
We have one life to live. By including the Humanist Society in your Will, you can help create a more ethical, rational and compassionate society — not just now, but for generations to come.
A gift in your Will is a powerful way to ensure your values continue to shape the world beyond your lifetime. Your legacy can help strengthen humanist thinking, support inclusive communities, and promote reason, equality and kindness across Victoria and beyond.
Why leave a legacy gift to the Humanist Society?
A legacy gift (also known as a bequest or gift in your Will) is a simple and meaningful way to make a lasting impact.
Even a small percentage of your estate can help sustain and grow The Humanist Society’s work. Legacy gifts play an important role in supporting our long-term vision for a secular, ethical and compassionate society.
Your gift will be used where it is needed most, helping to:
- promote critical thinking, ethics and reason through education
- build connection and community for humanists across Victoria and beyond
- advocate for secularism, equality and human rights
By leaving a legacy gift, you are helping ensure that humanist values continue to inform public conversation, community life and social progress for years to come.
How to leave a legacy to the Humanist Society
Creating or updating your Will is an important personal decision. We encourage you to discuss your intentions with your family and loved ones, once you have provided for them. Open conversations can help ensure your wishes are understood and respected.
We also recommend speaking with your solicitor about the type of gift that best suits your circumstances. Common options include:
A residuary gift
The portion of your estate that remains after all other gifts, expenses and obligations have been fulfilled.
A percentage gift
A nominated percentage of your estate. This approach ensures your gift retains its value over time and is not affected by inflation.
A set amount (pecuniary gift)
A specific sum of money you choose.
A specific asset
Such as property, shares, or other items of value.
Suggested wording for your Will
Your legal adviser can help ensure your Will is correctly worded. A suggested clause is:
I give [see below], free of all duties and taxes, to The Humanist Society of Victoria Inc (A0020272M | ABN 69 630 511 010) for its general purposes. The receipt of an authorised officer of The Humanist Society of Victoria Inc shall be a sufficient discharge for my executor(s) or trustee(s).
Note: In the space above, you may insert one of the following:
- the whole or a percentage of the residue of my estate
- the whole or a percentage of my estate
- the sum of $[amount]
- my [insert description of specific asset, e.g. property, shares or goods of value]
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Letting us know
Including the Humanist Society in your Will is a personal choice, and you may prefer to keep it private. If you do choose to let us know, we would welcome the opportunity to thank you personally. Any information you share will be treated with the strictest confidence.
The Humanist Society President, Heidi, would be pleased to speak with you about how your legacy could help foster thoughtful public dialogue, and advance reason, fairness and compassion well into the future.
Contact Heidi at president@humanistsociety.org.au or call on 0434 775 387