Charity Legacy Wills – Securing Your Charity’s Future
Legacy giving has become a cornerstone of UK charitable fundraising, contributing £3.4 billion annually—around 16% of all donated income. With almost 65% of UK charities identifying legacies as a top fundraising priority, charitable bequests are a critical part of long-term financial planning. Over a third of charities report that legacies contribute more than 30% of their annual voluntary income, with an average return on investment of 40:1.
The Growing Importance of Legacy Giving
The rising demand for Will-writing services combined with the wealth transfer from the baby boomer generation is driving substantial growth in charitable legacies. Key trends include:
- Legacy income is expected to grow by 23% over the next decade.
- Charitable bequests could double by 2050, offering long-term stability for organisations.
- 100 people per day in the UK are writing a charity into their Will.
- Lifetime giving often increases for legators, complementing annual donations.
The largest intergenerational transfer of wealth is set to pass £5.5 trillion from baby boomers to the next generation between now and 2055, providing unprecedented opportunities for legacy fundraising.
How Legacy Wills Help Charities Navigate Uncertainty
Legacy income provides a reliable and significant funding stream, helping charities:
- Manage cash flow during periods of economic instability.
- Budget and plan for the future with confidence.
- Bolster reserves to support long-term strategic goals.
- Reduce dependency on immediate fundraising channels.
Taken from: legacyresiliencereport_2020
10 Legacy Myths
You don’t need to ask
Legacies will come.
As with all forms of fundraising, it’s the relationship and the ask that inspires the gift.
Talking legacies is just for fundraisers
Legacies need whole organisation support; it’s everyone’s job.
Legacies are only for the biggest charities
More than 10,000 charities benefit from legacies each year.
It’s only of interest to older people
Legacies tend to be written into people’s Wills from their late 40s onwards
Leaving a legacy means people won’t give to you in their lifetime
Research indicates that lifetime giving actually increases for legators
Legacies take decades to come through
The latest data shows that 20% of charitable Wills going through probate were written just 2 years prior to death.
We can’t reach older legators through digital channels
More than 8 in 10 people aged 65-74 are active on social media9
Once a charity is in a Will, it will stay there forever
People do change their Wills. On average, only 50% of pledgers ultimately leave a gift.
You can’t predict the return on investment for legacy income
Legacy returns vary from one organisation to another depending on a range of factors, the survey reported returns of between
10:1 to 50:110
The main role of legacy fundraising is to persuade people to write Wills
Most legators already have a Will,
it’s about inspiring them to remember
your charity within their Will.
Createwills Offering – Sterling and Al Yusra Islamic Wills
Createwills provides charities and individuals with secure, legally compliant online Will services, including:
- Sterling Conventional UK Wills – fully compliant with English, Scottish, and Welsh law.
- Al Yusra Islamic Wills (Wasiyya) – Shariah-compliant Wills for Islamic inheritance.
All Wills are:
- Checked by our fully regulated legal team.
- Covered by SRA & SWW liability insurance, with over £2 million protection.
- Professionally printed, bound, and posted to any UK address.
Client Portal & Real-Time Reporting
Createwills offers a secure client portal with full real-time reporting features, allowing charity partners to track legacy activity and engagement efficiently.
Charitable Legacy Gifts
Each charity receives a unique legacy link, which automatically adds the charity as a beneficiary when used. Donors can choose between:
- Residuary Legacy – a percentage of the legator’s estate.
- Pecuniary Legacy – a fixed sum, easily selected through the platform.
This ensures a smooth, compliant, and transparent process for legacy giving and charitable bequests.
Flexible Payment Options
To support charities in all circumstances, Createwills offers flexible payment solutions, helping maintain healthy cash flow while enabling legacy fundraising during challenging times.
Partner With Createwills
Partnering with Createwills is simple, with zero commitment required. To learn how your charity can start offering legacy gifting and online Will solutions, complete our contact form, and a member of our team will get in touch to discuss the best options for your organisation.
