Everyone leaves a legacy — what will yours be?
Leaving a legacy gift means leaving behind a part of yourself that you want to be remembered for.
It is recommended that you involve the people you care about the most when deciding how to make a legacy gift.
To learn more about making a legacy gift in your will in a way that aligns with your goals the most, please feel free to contact Associate Director of Advancement Charu Uppal for a confidential conversation.
E: charu.uppal@canterbury.ac.nz
P: +64 27 451 8091
The University of Canterbury Foundation is a NZ based charitable trust registered with the NZ Charities Commission, registration number CC27669.
How to make a legacy gift
It is helpful for us to know if you have left the Foundation a legacy gift in your will. This allows us to plan ahead and ensures we can acknowledge your generous support during your lifetime.
You may want to discuss your wishes with your immediate family. We strongly recommend you seek independent legal advice when writing or altering your Will.
If you already have a Will, the suggested wording below will help your legal advisor prepare a codicil to reflect any changes you wish to make.
The same wording can be incorporated into your bequest clause if you are writing a Will for the first time.
“I give the University of Canterbury Foundation __ percent of my estate for the general purposes of the University (or a stipulated purpose, if you wish to direct your gift) and declare that the receipt of the University of Canterbury Foundation will be a full discharge to my trustee.”
What your legacy could support
Gifts left to the UC Foundation support the work of the University and can come in many sizes and forms.
They do not need to be vast sums of money, or large percentages of an estate, and are easy to set up.
We are happy to provide wording for your solicitor and much of the work can be done online or in a short consultation with a lawyer.
Legacy gifts can be directed to anything you choose, but traditionally they support five key areas:
- Student support services and scholarships
- Research and teaching
- Libraries and collections
- Buildings and facilities
- General purposes
The Office of Advancement can help you realise your vision for your gift and would welcome the opportunity to discuss your ideas at any time under no obligation.
When you make a gift to the University of Canterbury Foundation, 100% of your donation goes directly to its intended purpose.
The Foundation does not deduct any fees, so as a donor you can be confident that your generosity and foresight will help future generation of students and researchers.
Frequently asked questions
What can I leave to the University of Canterbury Foundation?
Many of our donors choose to leave a sum of money, however property, insurances, investments and other assets can also be gifted. If you would like to leave money, you have two choices – you can leave a specific sum of money, or you can leave a share of your estate.
The advantage of leaving a share of your estate is that the value of your bequest will not be eroded over time with the effects of inflation, which would be the case if you specify a sum. A dollar today may not be worth the same in ten years’ time. You can also choose to leave a residual gift – the balance of your estate once all specific bequests have been allocated.
I am thinking of leaving a scholarship to help a specific group of students. Is this possible?
Yes. You are welcome to identify the areas or purpose you would like to support. Current projects are likely to change in the future, and providing the UC Foundation with some flexibility means your gift will be used where the need is greatest.
However, if you do wish to choose a specific purpose we can discuss this with you to ensure we can identify a suitable fund or project, and can honour your wishes in the long term. In the case of endowment funds, we have specific wording you can use.
Do I need to draw up a new Will to include my gift?
No. A document called a codicil can be used to add a UC Foundation gift to an existing Will. A legal adviser will need to be consulted for this but it is inexpensive, quick and very easy to do.
Do I have to tell the University about my intentions?
This is at your discretion and we appreciate that making your Will is a very personal decision. We encourage you to notify us of your intentions so that we may express gratitude during your lifetime.
This doesn’t mean you are obligated in any way to leave a gift, and we respect your freedom to change your mind at any time.
Leaving a legacy gift to UC outside of New Zealand
The University has established the University of Canterbury Foundation, a New Zealand registered charitable trust, as well as the University of Canterbury NZ Trust - UK, and the University of Canterbury Foundation in America Inc.
- To learn more about leaving a gift in your will in the US, please click here.
- To learn more about leaving a gift in your will in the UK, please click here.
The terms of these allow in-country tax benefits for UC's donors living abroad and ensure that the expressed wishes of donors are fulfilled. For further information on tax status, contact addresses and a list of trustees for each, please click here.
Taking care of what matters most
Wills aren’t just for millionaires and billionaires.
Having a will ensures that your family, friends, and pets are well looked after, and you can continue to make a difference for the causes you care about long into the future.
A will not only covers the distribution of assets, but also the care and guardianship of minor children, other dependants, or pets.
Some things to consider when making a will
- Who will administer your estate and execute your will?
- What do you want and what is your moral duty?
- Who are the potential beneficiaries?
- If something happens to your beneficiaries before you pass away, do you have back up choices?
- Do you have any debts to pass on?
- Is there something sentimental that you’d like a specific person to have?
- If you have minor children or other dependants, who will be their guardian?
Disclaimer: The information above is not intended as legal advice. For such advice, please consult a legal advisor.
It's not about the depth of your pockets, but the width of your heart.
Through leaving a legacy gift in your will to the University of Canterbury Foundation, you are not only changing the present world with your generosity.
You will provide future generations of students with the tools and skills they need to break barriers, solve problems, and change the world.
Leaving a gift in your will to a cause you care about creates a ripple effect that continues to make a difference long into the future.
It inspires others to be generous as well, magnifying your impact in years to come.
Thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, Tūmahana | The University of Canterbury Foundation funds endowments, scholarships, research, building improvements, and essential equipment to continue this success.
