Leaving a legacy is so much more than making a present-- it is an everlasting reminder of your dedication to a cause that is close to your heart. So close, that you chose to make what will be your last present to the organisation.
A recent survey appointed by the charity consortium Remember A charity found that 17% of participants had included gifts to charity in their wills, up from 14% in 2013. However the potential for heritage giving is even bigger. Study indicates that by raising charity wills country wide by merely 1%, a further £ 70 million in legacies can be made every year.
It appears apparent then, that charities and not-for-profits need to invest time and energy in the growth of robust, thoughtful and appealing heritage programmes. Unfortunately, whether due to the fear of discussing the 'taboo' subject of dying, or focus being guided on other funding streams, a lot of organisations set up badly delivered, unexciting legacy programmes, if indeed, they have one at all. This page www.giftedphilanthropy.com has a lot more information on the subject of fundraising professionals.
Those charities that are seeing the benefits of heritage gifts have no doubt invested time and energy in the production their programme. Effective projects are the ones which look to the future and concentrate on the transformational effect your gift will make as opposed to mourning the past and the glum nature of death.