A Will to Help NOVA

For someone facing the aftermath of abuse, sexual assault or another traumatic experience, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. 

For one NOVA client, that support came from a counselor and advocate who listened when others did not. 

“NOVA was the only agency who helped me,” the client shared. “I called other hotlines and law enforcement, but NOVA staff were the only ones who listened to me from the initial hotline, the counseling services and following up on services. The counselor and advocate were wonderful.” 

The client went on to describe the impact of receiving support from NOVA, not only in understanding that what happened was not their fault, but also in learning how to establish healthier boundaries and move forward. 

“I learned that it wasn’t my fault that this happened to me,” the client said. “I learned how to prevent putting myself in risky situations in the future and how to have better boundaries. I recommend NOVA to anyone who has had something happen to them.” 

Stories like this are at the heart of NOVA’s mission in Bucks County. For more than five decades, NOVA has been there for victims and survivors, providing advocacy, counseling, crisis response and prevention education. 

But ensuring that those services remain available for future generations requires long-term support. 

That is where planned giving can make a difference. 

August is National Make-A-Will Month, offering Bucks County residents a timely opportunity to create a will or review an existing estate plan. For those who care about NOVA’s mission, including the organization in a will or estate plan can be a meaningful way to create a lasting legacy while supporting the future of services for crime victims and NOVA’s work to prevent violence and build a safer Bucks County. 

A planned gift is a charitable contribution arranged in advance as part of an individual’s financial or estate planning. It can allow donors to support causes that are important to them while taking their personal financial, tax and family circumstances into consideration. 

There is no single approach to planned giving. Donors may choose to leave a bequest of cash, securities or property, or name NOVA as a beneficiary of a trust or other financial account. 

Making a will can also provide peace of mind. It gives individuals the opportunity to document their wishes and make decisions about how their assets should be distributed. A will can be updated as circumstances change, and estate planning is not limited to a particular age or stage of life. 

Estate planning professionals can help individuals determine the options that are best for their families and charitable goals. Online resources, including FreeWill, can also help individuals begin the process of creating a will. 

For NOVA, planned gifts can provide an important foundation for the future. They can help ensure that when the next person reaches out for help, NOVA will be there to answer the call—to listen, to advocate and to help victims and survivors move forward. 

Including NOVA in an estate plan is a deeply personal decision. For many, it is also a way to turn personal values into a lasting legacy and bring family members together around a shared commitment to helping others in the community. 

A will can be about more than what we leave behind. It can also be about the difference we hope to make long after we are gone. 

To learn more about including NOVA in a will or estate plan, click the button below or contact  development@novabucks.org.