Momentum launches free new online Will-writing tool

September is Wills Month, the annual reminder to create or update this all-important record of your wishes for when you pass away.

Having an up-to-date Will can save your loved ones emotional and financial stress during a difficult time.

Writing or updating your Will is also an opportunity to consider and commit to a bequest to Momentum Waikato as your local community foundation, creating a legacy that will forever support your community or favourite charity.

This Wills Month, Momentum Waikato is launching its own FREE online service that makes Will-making easier all year round.

The network of community foundations across the country have together teamed up with Gathered Here, New Zealand’s top-rated end-of-life services website, to each offer our own branded online Will-writing tool - and if your affairs are simple, it won’t cost you a cent.

Whatever way you create or update your Will, you must of course first talk to your family, as providing for them is the first priority.

The new Momentum Waikato-Gathered Here Will-writing tool makes it really easy to make a bequest in your Will that can either create your own endowment fund at Momentum Waikato, or add to any of our existing community endowment funds.

Either way, you will be providing a perpetual income stream for the cause you care about or the community that has given you so much.

Enter your details into the Momentum Waikato-Gathered Here online tool and it will generate a simple legal Will. Sign it and get it witnessed, and then you can lodge it with the lawyer of your choice.

NOTE - if your financial affairs are complex, you will still need to get legal advice before creating your Will.

Like all community foundations, Momentum Waikato is building a regional endowment through donations, the transfer of trusts, and bequests from caring locals. This combined philanthropic investment portfolio provides the scale and diversity of investment required for consistently higher and more stable returns than can be achieved through smaller deposits. The resulting investment income goes to local charities, social enterprises, community projects and changemakers of our donors' choice.

Donating to a philanthropic investment fund is a well-proven approach for ensuring your giving has a positive and ongoing impact, as it is the effective strategy for providing a perpetual income stream to an organisation you support.

The graph below shows that the endowment fund created by a bequest left by Kiri Walker in 2018 has since grown AND made grants to Kiri's chosen charities, and will continue to do so into the future.

Since it was founded in 2013, Momentum has received gift-in-will pledges from a range of Waikato families and individuals.

Currently Momentum looks after some two dozen 'public facing' funds that provide ongoing financial support for a range of local causes, from care for sick babies, to conservation work, to community rugby. All would welcome bequests added to their endowments, to find out more visit 'Our Communities’ Funds'.

Or you can create your own legacy by having your bequest start a new endowment fund at Momentum Waikato dedicated to your own giving goals, to find out more visit 'Create your Legacy'.

You can also download a free Will Information Pack at the Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand site.

To find out more about your local smart giving options, please contact Momentum Waikato.