Bequests, Wills, Estate and Planned Gifts

Gifts in wills can include the following:

• A portion of an estate;
• A sum of money;
• Property;
• Shares;
• Works of art or valuable collections;
• A life insurance policy, annuities or trust.

We know that leaving a bequest is a carefully considered decision. You might like to establish a fund in your name, or that of a loved one, or leave your gift anonymously, whatever you choose there are a variety of ways your gift can make a difference:

• Supporting students  through scholarships, grants and prizes: Encourage and reward talented young people to help them reach their full potential.
• Changing the world with new knowledge and research: Your gift can contribute to ongoing research breakthroughs and improvements in lives of people living in the Tropics.
• Creating an inspirational teaching, learning and research environment: Your gift can enable us to continue to create vibrant campuses and improve the facilities we use to educate the leaders of the future and conduct our vital research.
• Supporting an area of need: You can direct your planned gift to a specific College or to the University in general, and we will focus your contribution to the area most in need.
• Human bequest program: Donating your body after death has great benefits for society. JCU’s Human Bequest Program depends entirely on the generosity of individuals who wish to donate their bodies. The program plays an essential role in training the healthcare practitioners of tomorrow, by providing, students, scientists, clinicians and surgeons with knowledge and tools to further advance modern surgery and treatment programs. To find out more email humanbequest.coordinator@jcu.edu.au.

Leaving a gift in your will is a relatively simple process, however we do recommend you seek legal advice before drafting a will or updating an existing one.

Step 1: Decide on a giving level that’s right for you

After considering the needs of your family and loved ones, you can make a bequest of your remaining assets to JCU.

Alternatively, you can make a specific bequest, which could include a set amount of money, a portion of your estate or valuable collections you’d like to donate.

Step 2: Consider your interests and passions

Are you interested in supporting students, furthering a specific type of research or making a lasting impact on the physical spaces of the University? When you leave a planned gift you can specify how you would like your funds to be used, or let the University allocate the funds on your behalf.

Step 3: Contact us to discuss your plan

Whilst you can make an anonymous bequest to JCU, by telling us about your planned gift you can be part of the joy and benefits your gift will make in the future. Planned gift donors:

• Receive invitations to events throughout the year;
• Can keep track of exciting developments at JCU through our annual newsletter;
• Develop relationships with leading JCU alumni, staff and friends;
• Join others in creating a legacy of positive change.

Preparing the Will

If a will already exists, you can add a codicil (a legal provision) to include a JCU bequest. If you are preparing a new will, you can include one of the sample clauses below, or draft a specific clause for your client.  Our bequest team can discuss more specific bequest language with you if required.

• Option 1 – A gift for general purposes:
  I give and bequeath to James Cook University (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for general purposes.

• Option 2 – A gift for a specific purpose
  I give and bequeath to James Cook University (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for (state purpose as widely as possible).  If at any time James Cook University determines that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the stated purpose then James Cook University may apply the income of the bequest for such a purpose or purposes as James Cook University determines most closely accords with the stated purpose.

• Option 3 Creation of Trust or Scholarship Fund:
  I give and bequeath to James Cook University (the whole of my estate) or (a percentage of my estate) or (a $ amount) to be used for the creation of the ### Scholarship (or trust).  In creating the Scholarship (or Trust), James Cook University may set the terms and conditions which apply to that Scholarship (or Trust) and may change those terms and conditions from time to time, to suit the needs of the University and of the recipient or awardee.

Important notes

1. The term “Residue” should ideally be defined in the Will.

2. Generally, terminology in the bequest clause should be consistent with terminology in the Will.

3. Gifts may take many forms. The clauses set out above have been drafted to reflect the principal forms being:

• A gift of cash;
• A specific gift of property of any kind (to be specified);
• A gift of the whole or a portion of the Residue (that part of the estate which remains after payment of debts and specific gifts).

4. Generally, gifts to JCU will be charitable. This means that the capital of the Gift can, if required, be held in perpetuity. In addition, income earned on the Capital is not subject to tax.

Charitable Status

James Cook University is a Deductible Gift Recipient and hence gifts to the University are generally tax deductible.

CRICOS No: 00117J

ABN: 462 532 119 55

Thank you for considering a gift to James Cook University. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your planned gift.

Damien Watson
Manager, Alumni & Fundraising
Phone: 07 4781 5486
Email: damien.watson@jcu.edu.au

A secret passion

Professor Colin Roderick’s connection with James Cook University began in 1965, when he became one of the university’s first lecturers, and continued until his death in 2000.

He was a passionate advocate of Australian literature and a generous supporter of undergraduate prizes for English students.

He established the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies at JCU, with its’ prestigious annual lecture series and the literary prize bearing Professor Roderick’s name, which continues to recognise Australia’s best writers and thinkers.

After his death, Professor Roderick’s will revealed another passion - furthering medicine in North Queensland. His bequest to James Cook University’s School of Medicine provided the Colin and Margaret Roderick Clinical Training Facility, which was officially opened in 2009.