Wills Month: A Beginner’s Guide to Endowment Giving
Western Bay residents are being encouraged to revisit their wills this September — and consider how a small change today could transform their community for decades to come.
When Tauranga local Adrienne Coad sat down with her lawyer a few years ago, she thought she was simply updating her Will. But a conversation with Acorn Foundation opened her eyes to something bigger: the chance to see her generosity at work in her own lifetime.
“When I was talking to Margot right at the beginning, she explained that you could either put it in your Will so the money goes through to Acorn, or you could start funding while you’re still alive and make decisions about who you want to help,” Adrienne recalls.
“That really appealed to me because it meant I could see the impact straight away. Since I’ve done it, I absolutely love the feeling of being able to see what my money is doing and the difference it makes in the community.”
Adrienne is just one of hundreds of locals who have chosen to leave a gift to Acorn Foundation, the Western Bay’s community foundation. Collectively, these gifts have already provided more than $25 million in funding to charities, community groups and scholarships since Acorn was founded in 2003.
Why Wills Month Matters
September is Wills Month, a time when Acorn Foundation, alongside 15 partner law firms across the region, encourages Western Bay residents to check their Will is up to date.
For many, writing or updating a Will is something that gets put off. Yet it is one of the most important documents any person can create, ensuring that loved ones are looked after and personal wishes are honoured. It’s also an opportunity to go further, to consider the kind of legacy you’d like to leave in your community.
“An up-to-date Will gives peace of mind,” says Campbell Higgins, Acorn’s Legacy Giving Manager. “It makes sure your family is cared for, your wishes are respected, and it also creates the opportunity to give back to the community that supported you during your lifetime.
Throughout September, the Acorn Foundation is proud to partner with 15 trusted law firms across the Western Bay of Plenty to ease the process of updating your Will, and to help you consider including a gift that lasts a lifetime. These firms bring deep experience in estate planning and a genuine understanding of Acorn’s legacy-giving model.
Thanks to their support, many are offering free or discounted Will services when the Acorn Foundation is named as a beneficiary, a meaningful gesture that makes taking this generous step more accessible than ever.
“We are incredibly grateful to be partnering with local law firms for Wills Month again this year. Their support for the foundation and willingness to work alongside generous local donors will enable us to continue giving back to our community for generations to come.” — Campbell Higgins, Legacy Giving Manager, Acorn Foundation
Meet Our 2025 Wills Month Law Firm Partners:
To make the process even easier, Acorn has partnered with 15 law firms across the Western Bay of Plenty. These firms not only have experience in estate planning, but also understand how Acorn’s model works.
During September, many of these lawyers are offering free or discounted Will services for clients who choose to include Acorn Foundation as a beneficiary.
How Legacy Giving Works
The model itself is both simple and powerful. Gifts left to Acorn Foundation are invested in perpetuity. The capital is never spent. Instead, each year a portion of the investment earnings is distributed to local charities, schools, and community organisations. That means a single bequest doesn’t just provide a one-off gift, it generates ongoing support year after year, forever.
Even modest contributions can make a significant difference. When pooled with gifts from other donors, they grow into a powerful source of funding that supports areas like youth development, conservation, education, health, and social services.
The Community Benefit
Since its beginnings in 2003, Acorn Foundation has grown into one of New Zealand’s leading community foundations. To date, it has distributed over $25 million, supporting hundreds of local organisations.
From helping young people attend Outward Bound, to funding conservation groups protecting local wildlife, to supporting health and social service charities — Acorn’s impact is felt in every corner of the Western Bay.
“We can’t always predict what challenges the region will face in 20, 50, or 100 years,” says Higgins. “But because Acorn endowments are permanent, they ensure we’ll always have resources available to meet those needs, whatever they may be.”
Take the Next Step
This September, Western Bay residents have a unique chance to do more than simply update their Will. By working with one of Acorn’s trusted law firm partners, you can take care of your loved ones and create a legacy that will continue to shape our region for generations.
Including the Acorn Foundation clause in your Will is simple. It takes only a few minutes in a lawyer’s office, but the outcome is lasting: your gift is invested in perpetuity, generating annual funding that supports local charities, scholarships, and community groups forever.
