Extra Information for Solicitors

For information on preparing Wills on behalf of your clients, we 
have provided some useful details below to help you in the process.

If a client would like their bequest to support a specific area, they can indicate this in the wording of their Will.

We have three key areas:

a) General purposes

b) Cardiac Surgical Fellowships

c) General Grants

In most cases, choosing ‘General purposes’ is the most effective option, as it allows the Foundation to direct the gift to the program with the greatest need at the time.

However, we understand that some people have a personal connection to a particular program.

If a client has a specific request, please contact us and we will discuss it on a case-by-case basis.

Suggested wording for your client’s Will

As a guide, we have provided the following suggested wording for you and your client to consider when including the Victor Chang Foundation in their Will:

I give (insert benefit, either residual gift, a percentage or specific gift amount) to The Victor Chang Foundation 
ABN 18 002 762 745, for its:

a) General purposes

b) Victor Chang Foundation Cardiac Surgical Fellowship

c) General Grants program

(Choose one out of a,b,c)

I declare that the receipt of the secretary, treasurer or other proper officer of the nominated beneficiary will be a full discharge for my trustee who will not be bound to see its application.

Organisational Details

The Victor Chang Foundation is a public company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). ABN 18 002 762 745.

The Foundation is registered under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW). Authority number: 16109. The Foundation is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Tax status: The Victor Chang Foundation is exempt from income tax and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Shares: If shares are included as estate assets, we encourage executors to contact the Victor Chang Foundation, as we may prefer those assets to be transferred in specie.

Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@victorchangfoundation.com.au. We are here to help.

  • A Bequest or Gift in Will is a legacy you leave to a cause that is close to your heart. It could be a percentage of your estate, a fixed sum of money, property or shares. Making this commitment ensures your beliefs and values live on.

  • A gift in your Will is a very special way to continue your support. By leaving a gift to the Victor Chang Foundation, you will help train talented cardiac surgeons from across Asia at leading Australian hospitals, including St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, They return home to treat thousands of patients and teach others. Your gift means you will always be part of Dr Victor Chang’s legacy, and something you and your family can be proud of together. Your gift can also fund our General Grants program, supporting new ideas, devices and techniques in heart surgery, continuing Dr Chang’s pioneering spirit.

  • All gifts, no matter their size, make a big difference. For full information on how to leave a gift, download VCF’s free Gift in Wills Guide or contact us at info@victorchangfoundation.com.au.

  • The Victor Chang Foundation has three key areas: general purposes, Cardiac Surgical Fellowships and General Grants. A gift for general purposes gives us the most flexibility, as we can direct it to where it is needed most. We know some people have a strong connection to a particular program. If you have a specific request, please contact us at info@victorchangfoundation.com.au to discuss.

  • We recommend that you work with a solicitor or public trustee to write your Will.

  • We would love to know if you have included us in your Will! You are under no obligation to tell us, but it gives us the chance to thank you for your generosity and to share our long-term plans with you. Any information you decide to share is completely confidential.

  • Sharing your decision with your loved ones lets them know why training heart surgeons and continuing Dr Victor Chang’s work is important to you. It’s something you and your family can be proud of together.

  • If you already have a Will, you don’t necessarily need to start from the beginning to include a gift to the Victor Chang Foundation. Instead, you could add a codicil, a separate document that refers to the clause in your Will you wish to change and sets out the change. It is important not to make alterations on your existing Will, as this may make it invalid. You can find suggested wording for your codicil, and your codicil must be witnessed by two people when you sign and date it. If your change is complex, you may need a new Will. If in doubt, it is best to ask a solicitor to help.

  • There are many kinds of gifts you can leave, including:
    1.    A percentage of your estate
    2.    A specific sum of money
    3.    Property
    4.    Shares
    Leaving a percentage of your estate has the most impact, as it keeps up with inflation and maintains its value over time.
    1.    It is simple – 1%, 5%, 10% – it does not change, even if the value of your estate does
    2.    It allows you to take care of your loved ones first
    You can find out more about the types of gifts in Wills

  • We’ve put together some wording for you. You can also download VCF’s free Gift in Wills Guide.

  • Life changes, so it is good practice to keep your Will safe and review it every two to three years, or sooner if your personal or financial circumstances change, for example if you enter a de facto relationship, marry, separate, divorce, buy real estate or receive an inheritance.

  • We promise to always:
    •      Keep your information confidential and in line with our privacy policy
    •      Honour your wishes
    •      Ensure your gift is used in the most effective way
    •      Respect that a decision this important needs time – how and when you make it is personal to you
    •      Understand that you might change your mind; circumstances change, and you are always free to reconsider
    •      Honour your privacy – we would like to acknowledge your generosity, but only in a way you are comfortable with
    •      Keep you updated on our fellows, grants and achievements

  • You can find out more or contact us for assistance at info@victorchangfoundation.com.au.
    Please note that The Victor Chang Foundation is exempt from income tax and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. If shares are included as estate assets, the Victor Chang Foundation may prefer those assets to be transferred in specie.

  • We would love to help. For a confidential chat, please contact us at info@victorchangfoundation.com.au. You can also download VCF’s free Gift in Wills Guide.