A gift in your Will to the Heart Research Institute (HRI) 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 make sure that your treasured possessions go to the people and causes that you love the most.

Gifts in Wills play a vital role in funding crucial research at HRI. We are very grateful for every gift we receive, no matter how small or large, because your gift will contribute to breakthroughs that will transform the way we diagnose, treat and prevent cardiovascular disease.

When you leave a gift in your Will to HRI, you are creating a legacy that can transform countless lives well into the future.

Safewill - our online Will partner

HRI has partnered with Safewill to provide our supporters with the opportunity to write an online Will*. This means that you can make sure that your hard-earned assets go where you want them to go.

Safewill will guide you through an easy, online process that can take as little as 20 minutes to create a legally valid Will.

By creating an online Will, your legacy can be realised, ensuring that your treasured possessions go to the people and causes that you love the most.

To find out more about how to create your own online Will, simply click here to visit the Safewill site.

If you would like a confidential conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, Andrea Natoli, our Head of Gifts in Wills, would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can contact Andrea on 02 8208 8909 / 0434 325 909 or email andrea.natoli@hri.org.au

*Please note that an online Will may not be suitable for all situations. Online Will platforms do not replace legal advice, especially if you are dealing with complex Estate or family issues. If you are in doubt, we suggest that you seek legal advice.

Leaving a gift in your Will is easy to do

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

Download our gift in Wills booklet (16.5MB PDF)

How to leave a charitable bequest

We appreciate that making a Will is a very personal matter, and that leaving a gift to a cause that you support is something that needs to be discussed with your family.

A gift in your Will can be included when you make your Will or it can be added to your existing Will as a codicil (a short legal amendment).

We recommend that everyone has a Will so that you can ensure your assets go to the people and causes that you want them to go to. Don’t think that you don’t have enough to “bother writing a Will” because no estate is too small!

There are many ways to draw up a Will, including engaging a solicitor to write your Will, getting a Will kit from the post office or a newsagency, and creating an online Will.

Types of gifts in Wills

You can leave a gift in your Will in a variety of ways.

A residual gift: With this type of bequest, HRI receives the balance of the estate after those specifically named in the Will have been provided for.
A percentage gift: This gift may be the whole or part, such as a percentage, of your residuary estate. Your residuary estate is what is left over after all liabilities and expenses associated with the estate have been paid, and any other gifts have been satisfied.
A pecuniary gift: This is a gift of a fixed sum of money made to HRI.
A specific gift: This type of gift enables you to leave a particular asset such as real estate, shares, artwork, jewellery, or collections to HRI.

Suggested wording for your Will

The wording below is an example that might help you specify your gift:

“I give to the Heart Research Institute (ABN 41 003 209 952) (‘HRI’) of 7 Eliza St, Newtown NSW 2042

(Insert whichever is appropriate)

The whole of my estate; OR
A percentage [____%] of the residue of my estate; OR
The sum of $[_____]; OR
My property known as [address], [Folio Identifier]; OR
Specific assets; Insert detailed description of an asset, for example: shares in a company, art work, jewellery, etc.

I declare that the receipt of the treasurer, secretary or public officer for the time being of a beneficiary under this provision is a sufficient discharge to my executors in respect of a gift to that beneficiary.”

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 HRI, 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.

If you have left a gift in your Will to HRI, please discuss this with your family so that they know of and can support your wishes. We would also be grateful if you also let us know about your decision, so that we can personally thank you for your decision, plan for the future and ensure that your wishes are carried out. We do understand that this does not alter your right to change or update your wishes if circumstances change.

Want to know more about leaving a gift in your Will for heart research?

Hearts for Eternity Club

By leaving a gift in your Will, you’ll automatically be invited to join our Hearts for Eternity Club. This exclusive club is designed to recognise generous people, like yourself, who are dedicated to making a lasting impact on cardiovascular disease by committing to leave a gift in your Will.

As a member of the Hearts for Eternity Club, you will be invited to a range of interesting and informative events held by HRI, so that you can see the lasting impact of your generosity.

Benefits of joining the Hearts for Eternity Club

You will be connected to leading Australian cardiovascular researchers.
You will receive invitations to our regular Heart to Heart seminars, and there will be opportunities to attend exclusive tours of HRI labs.
You will be invited to join us at a range of events, including our annual Hearts for Eternity lunch hosted by our CEO and Board.
You will receive our quarterly Heartbeat newsletter to keep up to date on the latest cardiovascular research. Read our stories and be inspired! You can inspire others by sharing your story publicly if you choose to.
Get a research update at our mid-year Hearts for Eternity event.
Meet people, like you, who have also been impacted by cardiovascular disease and who also want to make a lasting difference through the power of medical research.

The Hearts for Eternity sculpture

Hearts for Eternity sculpture

HRI unveiled the beautiful Hearts for Eternity sculpture in 2016. This artwork, which is now a permanent fixture here in our foyer, 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.

If you have any questions about leaving a gift in your Will or the Hearts for Eternity Club, please contact Andrea Natoli, Head of Gifts in Wills and Planned Giving on 02 8208 8909 or email her at giftsinwills@hri.org.au

Leave a Gift in your Will