A gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute goes directly toward our life-saving research that would otherwise not be possible.
Your Will doesn’t need to be complicated – it just needs to reflect your wishes. The most important people you should consider are your loved ones. Once you have provided for them, consider nominating the Heart Research Institute as an additional benefactor.
Gifts in Wills, both large and small, play a vital role in funding crucial research at the Heart Research Institute. We call this research ‘Heart-First Science’, not just because it protects the hearts of Australians, but because it’s driven by passionate researchers who, like you, want to eliminate the threat of heart disease.
When you leave a gift in your Will to HRI, you are creating a Heart-First Legacy that will ensure this life-saving research can continue. Your gift will save and protect the hearts of people you love, and future generations.
Gifts in Wills: Complete guide
Legal Name: The Heart Research Institute
ABN: 41 003 209 952
Registered Address: 7 Eliza Street, Newtown NSW 2042
If you have any questions, please contact our Donor Services team on 1800 651 373 – or get in touch using the form at the bottom of the page.
Understand the power of a gift in your Will – Download our gift in Wills guide
How to leave a charitable bequest
We appreciate that this is a very personal matter, and it is something that needs to be discussed with your family and a lawyer.
A gift in your Will can be included when you first make your Will, or added to your existing Will as a codicil (a short legal amendment). If you do not yet have a Will, we recommend you contact a solicitor about drawing one up. While some people draft their own Wills using kits purchased online or from a newsagency or post office, a solicitor will ensure all requirements are fulfilled so your Will is valid.
If you already have a Will, adding a codicil is a simple and cost-effective way to include a gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute. Please contact your solicitor about including a codicil in your Will.
Talk to your family about leaving a gift in Will
Family comes first. It’s important your loved ones know about your desire to support the Heart Research Institute and Heart-First Science, so they can fulfil your wishes. If you are planning on leaving a gift in your Will, please make sure you talk to your family about your intentions.
Types of gifts in Wills
You can leave a gift in your Will in a variety of ways. Discuss these options with your family and your solicitor to work out what works best for you.
- A residual gift: With this type of bequest, the Heart Research Institute receives the balance of the estate after those specifically named in the Will have been provided for.
- A percentage gift: This can be any percentage of your total estate up to 100 per cent. This type of bequest enables you to share your estate among several people or organisations without specifying the property or amounts.
- A pecuniary gift: This is a gift of a fixed sum of money made to the Heart Research Institute.
- A specific gift: This type of bequest enables you to leave a specific cash amount or other asset to the Heart Research Institute.
Wording for your gift in Will
“I give to the Heart Research Institute, 7 Eliza St, Newtown NSW 2042, ABN 41 003 209 952, (a percentage), or (a specific sum or piece of property), or (my whole estate) or (the residue of my estate) free from all duties to be used for the general purposes of the Heart Research Institute. A receipt from the treasurer or other authorised person to my executor shall be a complete and sufficient discharge for the payment of such benefit.”
Informing us about your decision
If you have left a gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute, please let us and your family know. This does not alter your rights to change or update your wishes if circumstances change, but does help us to recognise your support, plan for the future and ensure that your wishes are carried out.
It also means we can thank you personally for your decision. If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute, you will be provided with the opportunity to join our Hearts for Eternity legacy club.
Want to know more about leaving a gift in your Will for heart research?
Hearts for Eternity members: others who have left gifts in their Wills
If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute, you will be provided with the opportunity to join our Hearts for Eternity legacy club. Hearts for Eternity members are generous benefactors who provide the long-term funding needed to uncover scientific breakthroughs.
Through this club, we seek to recognise the generosity of our supporters, by providing opportunities for you to tour our laboratories and see our research first hand, and to attend special functions to meet our researchers and other people who share your vision of a future without heart disease.
The Heart Research Institute unveiled the beautiful Hearts for Eternity sculpture in 2016. This artwork, which is now a permanent fixture here in the foyer of the Heart Research Institute, is a tribute to the generosity of the many people who have left a gift in their Will to HRI.
This piece of art, created by well-known metal artist, Ken Pearce, portrays the heart and circulatory system. Each bequestor’s name is engraved on a heart and fixed permanently onto the statue as an eternal celebration of their lasting legacy. Any requests to remain anonymous will be respected.
For more information on how you can become a Hearts for Eternity member, get in touch with us using the form above.
Thank you to our Hearts for Eternity members
| Hilda Abbey | Mrs P Falconer | Susan Barbara Klimpsch | Mr & Mrs Judy Pengelly |
| Mr John M Adams | Mrs Nancy Graeme-Evans | Mr R Lane | Mr J Stone |
| Ms S Anketell | Mrs J Gray | Mrs Eileen Lange | R H Streifler |
| Ms Pat Arnott-Evans | Mrs Vivienne Hall | Mr Anthony Lanning-Pavey | Mr Ian Strowbridge |
| Mr & Mrs Gaetano & Leonie Bezzina | Mr & Mrs R & L Hammonds | Mrs Judith Laver | Mr & Mrs K & B Thomasen |
| Miss M Blums | Mr E Hanna | Mr Thomas Leffers | Mrs E Van Der Knaap |
| Mr L Boyd | Mrs Joan Healey | Mrs Donna McGregor | Melissa Vidler |
| Mr David Branscomb | Ms Margaret Hunter | Ms Rosemary McQuade | Miss D E Watt |
| Mr Michael Cavendish | Ms D Janes | Mr I Morrison | Mr Richard Wylie |
| Mrs V Chick | Mr A Jenkins | Mr Michael Northcombe | Anonymous (99) |
| Ms C Contacos | Mr Gerard Kaudeer | Mr I Palmer | |
| Mrs E Cornwell | Mr & Mrs R & M Kippax | Mrs Linda Parker |