Imagine the future. Inspire the next generation. Preserve our stories.
Have you ever thought about the legacy you’d like to leave behind? Imagine leaving a gift that will inspire future generations. Imagine creating a legacy that illuminates Western Australia’s rich stories, beautiful landscapes, and cultural heritage. With a simple gesture, you can create something truly lasting - by including the Foundation for the WA Museum in your will.
The WA Museum has been built on contributions from the WA community and the findings of scientific research since its inception in 1897. The Foundation for the WA Museum aims to help the WA Museum to shape our future for many more generations to come.
The WA Museum has been built on contributions from the WA community and the findings of scientific research since its inception in 1897. The Foundation for the WA Museum aims to help the WA Museum to shape our future for many more generations to come.
When you picture future generations walking through museum galleries, exploring WA’s natural treasures or diving into our cultural history, it’s incredible to think that your gift could be the reason why. Your support can make sure that WA’s stories - our stories - can reach more people, and teach, inspire and delight them.
Your gift to future generations
A gift in your will allows the WA Museum to do so much more:
- Protect, preserve and share our history and stories: Keep WA stories alive through support for exhibitions, educational programs, collections and aquisitions.
- Fund crucial research: Imagine what can be achieved through advanced scientific discovery in areas like marine and terrestrial zoology, anthropology, earth and planetary sciences and beyond, generating new insights and contributing to global scientific knowledge.
- Inspire future generations: Ensure the next generations of WA kids, students, and visitors can continue to experience the wonder of WA’s cultural and natural heritage and let their imagination take flight.
Our commitment to you
- We promise to use your legacy for the purpose for which it is given.
- Information about your gift will be handled respectfully at all times.
- Confidentiality will be strictly maintained unless otherwise stated by you.
- We will keep you informed of our vision and activities.
- We will keep you updated on the WA Museum's work, including that which has been made possible by legacies received in the past from people like you.
- We promise to use your legacy wisely, ensuring it has the greatest impact on the WA Museum's work now and for future generations.
How you can make a difference
Creating a legacy with the Foundation for the WA Museum is simple, and you can decide how to do it:
Residual Gift
Once loved ones have been taken care of and expenses or debts have been paid, you can gift the remainder of your estate to support the Museum.
Percentage Gift
Leave a percentage of your estate, or a percentage of the residue, to the Foundation for the WA Museum.
Specific Financial Gift
You can leave a specific sum of money (a specific dollar amount) to the Foundation for the WA Museum.
Asset Gift
Consider leaving an item of value (for example real estate, shares or bonds) that can help the Museum continue its mission.
No matter how you choose to give, your gift will be part of something much bigger - ensuring the WA Museum can keep WA’s stories alive for everyone to enjoy.
How to get started
You can write your will for free on the Gathered Here website. Gathered Here is a not-for-profit platform that makes it easy to write a will for free and pledge a gift to the Foundation for the WA Museum or other non-profits in your will. If you need guidance, the Gathered Here team is there to help, or you can consult a solicitor or tax professional to make sure your will reflects your wishes.
If you’ve already made the decision to include the Foundation in your will, please let us know! We’d love to celebrate your commitment and welcome you to our events and activities throughout the year.
If you already have a will, you can amend it to include a gift to the Foundation for the WA Museum to ensure your intention is clear.
For more information, reach out to Jo Malone, Head of Philanthropy, at (08) 6552 7474 or foundation@fwam.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I write my will?
Consider your legacy as a whole-of-life decision, particularly when you experience significant events like marriage, the birth of children or grandchildren, property transactions, inheritance or any other pivotal moment for you and your family.
What wording should I use in my will?
You can write your will through the free online will service Gathered Here, which will enable you to include appropriate wording when you create your free will.
Alternatively, if you already have a will or prefer to work with your lawyer to write your will, we recommend the following wording if you wish to include a gift in a will.
General Bequest
“I give to the Foundation for the WA Museum (5 Francis Street, Perth, WA 6000) (ABN 416 234 979 78) the sum of $............ or …% (or % of the remainder of my estate), to be used for the general purposes of the Foundation for the WA Museum at the discretion of the Foundation Board and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustee, who shall not be bound to see to the application of this gift.”
Specific Bequest
“I give to the Foundation for the WA Museum (5 Francis Street, Perth, WA 6000) (ABN 416 234 979 78) (the sum of $.... or….. % (or % of the remainder of my estate), and I express the wish, without creating any trust, that this gift be used for (state the preferred use for the gift), and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustee, who shall not be bound to see the application of this gift.”
Alternatively, if you already have a will or prefer to work with your lawyer to write your will, we recommend the following wording if you wish to include a gift in a will.
General Bequest
“I give to the Foundation for the WA Museum (5 Francis Street, Perth, WA 6000) (ABN 416 234 979 78) the sum of $............ or …% (or % of the remainder of my estate), to be used for the general purposes of the Foundation for the WA Museum at the discretion of the Foundation Board and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustee, who shall not be bound to see to the application of this gift.”
Specific Bequest
“I give to the Foundation for the WA Museum (5 Francis Street, Perth, WA 6000) (ABN 416 234 979 78) (the sum of $.... or….. % (or % of the remainder of my estate), and I express the wish, without creating any trust, that this gift be used for (state the preferred use for the gift), and I declare that the receipt of an authorised officer of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge to my Trustee, who shall not be bound to see the application of this gift.”
What happens to any gift I leave to the Foundation for the WA Museum in my will?
Your gift will be invested in the Foundation's Discovery Endowment Fund. The Discovery Endowment Fund is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding. The fund's principal is invested, and a portion of the investment’s earnings is used each year to support the WA Museum. Any earnings in excess of this distribution are used to continue to grow the fund’s value.
Why was the Discovery Endowment Fund established?
The Discovery Endowment Fund was established to provide the Western Australian Museum with a source of grant funding independent of government funding and help secure its long-term future.
How is the Discovery Endowment Fund managed?
The Foundation’s Board includes several highly experienced investment professionals who are members of the Foundation’s Investment Committee and shape the Foundation’s investment strategy, working with commercial funds managers.
Can I direct my gift in will to a specific purpose?
The Foundation supports five pillars of the Museum’s work.
The five pillars include the acquisition of new items for the WA State Collection; ground-breaking research and fieldwork; major exhibitions and storytelling initiatives; education, learning and outreach programs; and state-wide projects and activities. You can find more information about the five WA Museum pillars we support on our page about the Foundation's impact.
You can find more information about the five WA Museum pillars we support on our page about the Foundation's impact.
The five pillars include the acquisition of new items for the WA State Collection; ground-breaking research and fieldwork; major exhibitions and storytelling initiatives; education, learning and outreach programs; and state-wide projects and activities. You can find more information about the five WA Museum pillars we support on our page about the Foundation's impact.
You can find more information about the five WA Museum pillars we support on our page about the Foundation's impact.
