Legacy Fundraising

Good practice, case studies, expert advice and tips on legacy fundraising for charities.

Why legacy campaigns are on the rise

Thursday, 24 Jan 2019

There has been a notable surge in the number of charities seeking gifts in wills over the past year. Lisa Clavering asks what is behind their popularity

Rebecca Cooney: Animal charity legacy ruling calms the waters

Thursday, 16 Mar 2017

By awarding the bulk of the estate left by Melita Jackson to three charities, the Supreme Court has underscored the principle that people can leave their money to whomever they like, writes Third Sector's senior reporter

Breast Cancer Now gets legacy message across

By Susannah Birkwood, Tuesday, 31 Jan 2017

Telephone interviews with supporters of the merged charity led to increased interest in legacy donations

Legacies: Where there's a will, there's a way - maybe

By Susannah Birkwood, Tuesday, 28 Jun 2016

Initiatives to increase giving through wills have had mixed success, but the sector is increasingly optimistic about the future for this area of fundraising

How a court battle led the RSPCA to a new approach on legacies

Tuesday, 20 Jan 2015

After bad publicity during a 2009 dispute, the charity re-examined its policies on wills, writes Susannah Birkwood

Tara McInnes: The ramifications of unregulated will-writing

Friday, 09 Jan 2015

Charities can miss out on insurance money when legacies in wills that have been drafted with these firms fall through, so they should support the Lord Chancellor's call for regulation, writes the legal expert

Six ways to maximise legacy donations online

Friday, 14 Nov 2014

James Lock shares the results of his research on what people think about leaving gifts in their wills, and how information about legacies is presented on charity websites

Legacies: Guide Dogs broadens its appeal

Tuesday, 16 Sep 2014

An advertising campaign across print and radio has proved profitable for the charity, as Susannah Birkwood finds out

Brand Watch: PDSA

Monday, 02 Jun 2014

The animal welfare charity uses media activity to educate owners about how to care for their pets rather than to drive donations, finds YouGov's Briony Gunstone

Why the Institute of Legacy Management has paused its plans to join the Institute of Fundraising

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Some members at the institute's annual conference were hostile to the board's proposal and the way it has been communicated; others said the organisation has to move forward. Stephen Cook reports

Clerical errors could mean trouble for charities' legacy income

By Tara McInnes, Wednesday, 05 Mar 2014

A recent ruling means charities could see an increase in claims brought by aggrieved relatives - but so far the courts appear to be taking a common-sense approach

How to make the most of your in-memoriam donors

By Amy Peace, Tuesday, 28 Jan 2014

In-memory giving has grown rapidly in recent years, but charities still struggle with this sensitive subject, writes Amy Peace

Change makers: WWF-UK

By Gemma Quainton, Monday, 02 Dec 2013

The charity's first legacy campaign brought wills to the forefront

Debate: Are living legacies just a 'spurious distraction' for the charity sector?

Tuesday, 26 Nov 2013

Joe Saxton of nfpSynergy told the Growing Giving inquiry that the sector should focus instead on normal legacies

The Sorp Revision: Legacies

Tuesday, 10 Sep 2013

By finance expert Don Bawtree

The growing volatility of the legacy market

Tuesday, 31 Jul 2012

Legacy incomes are increasingly unpredictable, but some charities still find them a reliable source of funding. Ian Griggs looks at how charities go about securing legacies and what the future might hold