United Kingdom – EFA | European Fundraising Association

Scottish grantmakers should consider ‘economic counter-cyclical funding’

Melanie May — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:17:59 +0000

Foundations in Scotland made £601m (€696m) of grants in their latest financial year, and hold just under £4bn (€4.6bn) of net funds, according to new research.

The publication also includes 17 recommendations for the Scottish Government, its charity regulator, grantmaking foundations themselves, and the organizations which seek their grants.

The research by the University of St Andrews Business School’s Centre for the Study of Philanthropy and Public Good (CSPPG) identifies 315 charities that mainly distribute funds to other organizations, rather than run services themselves. Around half of the foundations, both in number and in terms of total funds, are based in Scotland’s two largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

These foundations generated a collective total income of £2.6bn in their last year, a figure significantly larger than the £601m of grants made. However, the researchers warned that it could be a mistake for the Scottish Government to create laws, like those seen in other countries, to force foundations to distribute a certain percentage of their assets each year.

“The modelling suggests importing a similar rule without careful design could backfire,” a CSPPG press release says, noting that it might encourage some to “cut back to the minimum”, reducing the sector’s total outlay.

Other recommendations in the report for the Government include engaging with foundations with low levels of grantmaking, and to develop further regulations for emerging forms of philanthropy, such as donor advised funds (DAFs). Meanwhile, recommendations for the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) focus on improving the data available on grantmaking foundations and charities to enable better policymaking.

On this point, the project’s lead research Dr Christopher Dougherty says:

“We now have a clearer picture of the scale of foundation wealth in Scotland, but we still lack reliable data on restrictions, investments and grant recipients. Without that, it is very difficult to design evidence-based policy.”

Meanwhile, grantmaking foundations are urged to “consider economic counter-cyclical funding practices, to increase funding when economic conditions are worse to better respond to community needs”, alongside three other recommendations around better engagement with both others in the sector, and local and national government.

Grantseekers are told to “focus on pragmatism in approaching grantmaking foundation”.

Last year, Fundraising Europe highlighted new research showing that there are approximately 175,203 foundations across Europe, with total annual expenditure of €76bn. CSPPG’s data therefore shows that Scotland’s foundation make up just under 1% of that total expenditure, but represent only 0.2% of total foundations.

Picture by Henrik Hjortshøj on Unsplash

‘Significant concern’: ongoing decline in charity giving has cost UK charities £12.4bn

Melanie May — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:12:12 +0000

The number of people in the UK who give to charity has dropped by around six million in a decade, with the sector missing out on an estimated £12.4bn (approximately €14.3bn) as a result, according to new research by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

According to the report, public donations continued to drop between 2024 and 2025, with people giving an estimated £14bn in 2025, compared to £15.4bn in 2024. The public’s mean monthly donation was £65 in 2025, down from £72 in 2024, while the median donation also declined by 9%, from £28 to £26.

Affordability and (lack of) interest

The survey respondents who did not donate to charity in 2025 were asked the reasons why. The most common response by far was ‘I can’t afford it’ (49%), followed by ‘I don’t trust charities to use my money wisely’ (19%), ‘I just didn’t want to’ (10%) and ‘There hasn’t been a charity that’s interested me enough (9%)’.

CAF says that nearly three in 10 (28%) of non-donors gave an answer suggesting that they weren’t interested in charities in general, with that figure rising to just under half (49%) of those who are higher and additional rate taxpayers – a more affluent group of UK residents, numbering roughly seven million.

For those who donate to charity, the majority are motivated by an emotional reason (78%), such as caring about the cause, and because they want to be part of something bigger (53%), such as supporting their community or making a difference.

Sectors and methods

The overseas aid and disaster relief sector has been particularly badly hit – total donations have dropped from £970m in 2016 to £727m in 2025.

Health charities have the broadest support (43% of donors supporting them last year), but on average give £27, which is on par with the sector-wide average.

While only 8% of donors gave to religious causes last year, their donations were on average far higher than for any other sector at £90 – no other sector had a figure in excess of £60. Religious charities were particularly popular among donors in Northern Ireland and the East of England, while London donors had a particular interest in environmental charities.

More than a quarter of all giving – £4bn in total – is ‘planned’, which CAF defines as meaning it comes through direct debits, standing orders, membership fees and subscriptions. Meanwhile, 40% of donors said they normally only give to charity when directly asked or moved by an appeal, and a third of donors still like to donate cash.

Mark Greer, managing director of the Charities Aid Foundation says:

“Giving falling by nearly 10% in a year will be a significant concern for charities up and down the country who are providing vital services to people in need. We have been relying on a declining number of dedicated donors, but the reality of this trend has begun to bite.

“To support our communities, we need a collaborative effort to revive the culture of giving across the country. This includes exploring ways we can encourage donations from those that can afford to give, and policy action from the Government to unlock greater giving.”

UK’s June Fundraising Convention offers EFA members discounted tickets

Melanie May — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 11:01:34 +0000

EFA members can benefit from tickets at the reduced Chartered Institute of Fundraising member rate for June’s Fundraising Convention, which takes place in London.

The 2026 theme is ‘Small shifts, Big impact’. The event will provide a space to imagine what could be possible, and a place to be inspired and discover the latest trends, to learn best practices, and to network with others who understand the challenges and opportunities that a job in fundraising brings.

In-person offer

In-person delegates will benefit from:

Hearing from 175+ speakers and over 70 sessions including plenaries, real case studies, informative seminars, panel debates, workshops and more
Receiving advice and guidance to progress your career in 1-2-1 coaching sessions
Meeting 25+ exhibitors and sponsors in the Expo arena
Discovering the latest innovations happening across the sector
Gaining insight and access to the latest research findings
Networking, interacting and connecting with like-minded fundraisers from across the UK and overseas.

Special rate for delegates from EFA member organisations

Members of EFA can benefit from a reduced Chartered Institute of Fundraising member rate. Tickets close on 27 May.

How to book

Book here and enter ‘EFA’ in the membership number field to get the preferential rate.

In addition, those who would like to attend the Fundraising Convention with colleagues, can save 10% when booking five or more tickets in a single group booking. This offer ends on 5 May.

Millions of high earners in UK do not know about tax relief on donations

Melanie May — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:40:52 +0000

Nearly half (47%) of those in the UK’s top tax brackets are unaware that they can claim tax relief having made donations to charity.

This is according to a YouGov survey for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which also says that this number has grown from 39% this time last year.

Nearly 8m Britons are eligible for this tax relief due to being higher and additional rate taxpayers – meaning that they earn more than £50,271 (€57,700) a year, or £43,663 in Scotland.

If a taxpayer gives £100 to charity, the charity may claim an additional £25 in Gift Aid. If the donor is a higher rate taxpayer, they can also reduce their tax bill by £25 – or slightly more if they are based in Scotland, or are an additional rate taxpayer with annual earnings exceeding £125,140 (€143,500).

Even though more than half of those 8m are aware of the relief being available, only half of that group (meaning around 2m people in total) actually make use of it.

A third (30%) of those who do claim the tax back say they do it in order to give additional money to charity, and 24% say that an accountant or financial adviser recommended doing it.

Another quarter of those taxpayers are aware of the incentives but don’t claim anything back, with the most common reason being that they didn’t keep a record of their donation.

Two in three (65%) of higher and additional rate taxpayers made charitable donations in the last 12 months, versus 55% of the population as a whole.

They are also more likely than the average donor to ensure the charity is able to claim Gift Aid (69% versus 60%), even if they do not then take the next step of claiming back the tax for themselves.

Mark Greer, managing director at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), says:

“As the number of people donating falls, and charities are under increasing strain, it’s important that more people understand the tax incentives available when giving to charity.

“With more people expected to enter higher tax brackets, knowing this relief is on offer to them could encourage higher rate taxpayers to consider donating more, unlocking additional funds for these crucial services. It’s great that advisers are raising the topic with their clients and we encourage more to do the same.”

As Fundraising Europe noted last year, the number of UK residents who gave money each year dropped by 4m between 2019 and 2024.

Picture by Tim Alex on Unsplash

UK civil society in 2026 – resilient, resourceful, but under strain

Melanie May — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:40:21 +0000

In 2026, UK civil society remains resilient and trusted, but it is operating under mounting financial strain, heavier compliance demands and rising needs at home and abroad. The sector’s future will depend not on its capacity to endure, but on whether policymakers, funders and corporate partners commit to long-term, sustainable support rather than short-term fixes, warns Ceri Edwards, executive director of engagement at the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising and EFA president.

The real test for the coming years will be whether policymakers, funders, corporates and philanthropists move beyond short-term fixes and commit to long-term partnerships that match the scale of the challenges ahead.

In 2026, UK civil society is neither collapsing nor comfortable. It is resilient, adaptive and still deeply committed to the communities it serves – but it is also operating under sustained pressure that is reshaping what it can do, how it works, and who it can reach.

Recent analysis, including the February 2026 report from Bond on UK civic space, paints a picture of a sector navigating tightening funding, increased scrutiny and growing demand. The question is not whether civil society still exists in strength – it does – but whether the conditions around it are becoming more fragile.

A sector tested by funding shocks

The aftershocks of the USAID cuts continue to ripple through the system. The initial shock was immediate: organisations heavily reliant on US development funding were forced to close offices, reduce programmes, and scale back their geographic footprint. Those with diversified income streams – a mix of grants, individual giving, and corporate partnerships – fared better. Smaller, grassroots organisations felt the brunt.

But the bigger story in 2026 is the domino effect.

Reduced US funding influenced UK government international development spending priorities, while UN agencies – many of which relied on US contributions – tightened their own allocations. Funding agreements now often come with more stringent reporting requirements and compliance demands, increasing administrative burdens at precisely the moment organisations are trying to stretch limited resources further.

Civil society is surviving – but it is spending more time proving impact than delivering it.

Domestic pressures mirror global ones

While international NGOs recalibrate, UK-based charities are facing parallel strains at home. The cost-of-living crisis may no longer dominate headlines in the same way, but its effects persist. Demand for food banks, mental health services, housing advice, and refugee support remains high. Climate-related emergencies and geopolitical instability continue to drive humanitarian need abroad.

Yet public giving has not risen in line with need.

This mismatch – rising demand and constrained income – is the defining tension of 2026. Civil society is increasingly asked to plug systemic gaps while operating without long-term financial certainty.

Adaptation: Philanthropy, corporates and new models

One of the most striking shifts is strategic rather than reactive. Organisations are not simply trying to “replace” lost government funding. They are rethinking how they generate income.

There is greater focus on:

Deepening relationships with philanthropists aligned with mission and values
Building meaningful corporate partnerships with socially conscious businesses
Exploring blended finance and public-private partnership models
Using existing infrastructure to develop earned-income services

However, these approaches require investment. Developing a corporate partnership or launching a social enterprise arm demands upfront capacity – specialist staff, due diligence, legal support. Larger institutions can often absorb this transition; smaller charities struggle.

Blended finance and alternative models are promising but remain unevenly accessible. Without careful policy support, there is a risk that innovation benefits the already well-resourced, widening inequalities within the sector itself.

The civic space question

Beyond funding, there is a broader issue: civic space.

Bond’s 2025–26 analysis highlights concern about the regulatory and political environment in which civil society operates. Increased compliance requirements heightened political polarisation, and public discourse that sometimes questions the legitimacy of advocacy work all contribute to a more complex landscape in which we operate.

This does not amount to a closed civic space – the UK remains a functioning democracy with a vibrant voluntary sector – but it does signal a subtle shift. Scrutiny has increased. The margin for error has narrowed. The tone of debate has hardened.

In this environment, charities are balancing service delivery with advocacy, mindful of reputation, funding relationships, and public trust.

A sector still anchored in trust

Despite these pressures, civil society retains one of its most valuable assets: public trust at a community level.

Local organisations remain embedded in the communities they serve. National charities continue to mobilise volunteers at scale. When crises hit, civil society is still among the first to respond. And this is what makes the long-term funding question so urgent.

The long view: Demand is not going down

If 2026 has made anything clear, it is that demand for civil society services will continue to rise. Climate change, conflict and migration and inequality are not short-term trends. The funding model, however, remains short-term and reactive.

The central challenge now is not simply replacing lost income. It is building sustainable, multi-year funding structures that allow organisations to plan, invest in staff, innovate responsibly, and maintain standards without being consumed by compliance.

Civil society in the UK is holding up – but it is doing so through ingenuity and sheer effort rather than structural stability.

The narrative of resilience can be comforting. It suggests adaptability, strength, perseverance.

But resilience should not be confused with sustainability.

In 2026, UK civil society is still standing, still delivering, still advocating. Yet it is navigating an increasingly complex funding ecosystem, heavier reporting demands, and rising need – all at once.

Civil society is holding up. The question is whether the system around it will hold up too.

Ceri Edwards

Main picture by Getty Images for Unsplash+

UK charities ‘cancelling fundraising events’ & activities in face of hostility & threats

Melanie May — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:20:07 +0000

Harassment of staff, a climate of fear and increasing internal tensions are now the daily reality for some charities in the UK, a new report says.

Organisations are “being forced to cancel crucial community and fundraising events due to security risks and direct threats”, according to Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times, based on focus groups including a range of charities, published by sector body NCVO.

The charity regulator has also suggested that funders should show “flexibility” to charities struggling to meet funding agreements as a result of this climate.

The issues of migration and asylum have caused particular tension in the UK in recent months. While these are reflected in NCVO’s report, it also mentions charities in other areas, such as LGBT issues. As reported by Fundraising Europe in October, charities across Europe have been told to consider how to avoid exacerbating polarisation in their activities, including fundraising.

The NCVO report identifies four major themes:

a “tangible sense of fear” that is impacting the daily lives of staff, volunteers and those they support – particularly those from global majority backgrounds
operational disruption and “forced invisibility”, with organisations cancelling events, or reducing their public activity because of direct threats or security concerns
targeting and abuse, with many participants “receiving intimidating emails and other forms of harassment”
increasing internal tensions and conflicting views among staff, trustees and volunteers, as well as “challenging interactions” with service users

The day before NCVO’s report was published, the head of the Charity Commission for England and Wales said he was “disturbed” to learn about measures charities were taking to protect staff in the face of “growing hostility”.

The commission also published guidance for charities impacted by these issues. This includes a specific recommendation around relationships with funders, saying:

“If you have concerns that you may not be able to deliver some of the activities set out in your funding agreements as a result of instances of abuse, threat or intimidation, seek an early conversation with the funder. They may be able to help by showing flexibility in these exceptional circumstances.”

NCVO said that it would develop further guidance on issues around staff safety, online hate and risk management. It also pledged to create “confidential peer-support spaces for leaders and frontline staff experiencing hostility”, and to continue to raise the issue with government and regulators.

Protect fundraisers from harassment, say new ‘principles-based’ UK rules

Melanie May — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:28:16 +0000

UK charities and fundraising agencies must “take reasonable steps to protect fundraisers from harm and harassment”, say updated rules for the sector.

The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice came into force on 1 November 2025, updating the previous 2019 version.

The updated version contains “principles-based rules”, which it says makes it less prescriptive and more proportionate for users.

The issue of fundraiser safety has also been advanced by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF) and the fundraising think tank Rogare. On 17 November, the organisations proposed the sector-wide adoption of a Donor Code of Conduct. More on that here. The same day, the CIOF published a page on its website detailing that many fundraisers have experienced sexual harassment in their careers, often by an external stakeholder such as a donor.

Code changes

In addition to the new rule on protection from harassment, the updated Code includes a section on fundraising platforms.

There are also new principles on transparency in ‘convenience giving’ and ‘unstaffed collections’, meaning places where someone can tap their card to donate, or are asked to add an additional amount to a retail transaction.

The Code no longer includes rules about charities making commission-based payments to fundraising staff. Instead, it says that organisations must “give appropriate consideration to… whether this fits the values [of your charity]”.

Need for interpretation

An article by Bates Wells, a law firm specialising in charity clients, says that the move to a principles-based approach is the “biggest” change in the new Code. The article says:

“Whilst there are advantages to a principles-based approach, it means that there will be a greater need for organisations to interpret the Code and assess how the rules apply to their fundraising activity. This may make it harder to know how to comply with specific Code sections.”

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the Fundraising Regulator, says:

“The new code is clearer, easier to use and designed to reflect the realities of modern fundraising. We are grateful to the many charities and fundraisers who shaped these changes. Their input has helped us create a code that continues to protect the public, supports innovation, and reinforces trust and confidence in charitable giving.”

The regulator says that a recent survey of UK fundraisers showed that 90% are positive about the new code, with 91% feeling that it is clearer.

It has also been made somewhat shorter – the 2025 Code is 21,000 words, down from 32,000 for the 2019 version.

The Fundraising Regulator is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the Scottish Fundraising Adjudication Panel performs a similar role.

UK charities called on to sign Donor Code of Conduct pledge

Melanie May — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:56:45 +0000

The UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF), with Rogare – the Fundraising Think Tank, is calling on charities across the country to sign a pledge committing to develop and implement a Donor Code of Conduct that will safeguard fundraisers from inappropriate donor or supporter behaviour. The move comes after more than half of fundraisers questioned in a survey reported having experienced behaviour by a donor or supporter that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe.

Earlier this year, the CIOF and Rogare asked fundraisers to anonymously submit their views and experiences of inappropriate behaviour from donors or supporters via an online portal. The 212 responses highlighted the following:

109 (51%) reported having experienced behaviour by a donor that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe. 96 of these respondents completed further questions about their experiences.
76 (36%) said it had never happened to them, but knew of others that it had happened to.
27 (13%) said it not happened to them, and they were not aware of others experiencing inappropriate behaviour.

96 respondents completed further questions about inappropriate behaviour, sharing the following:

82 (88%) had experienced this behaviour more than once.
7 (8%) had only experienced this behaviour once but it was enough to make them feel very unsafe.
8 (8%) have felt seriously unsafe on more than one occasion.
47 (53%) see it as something that happens regularly enough that they have to be ready for it.

The main type of inappropriate behaviour reported by fundraisers in the survey was sexually inappropriate behaviour – including sexual innuendo, banter or unwanted comments, inappropriate physical contact, improper propositioning, and one report of sexual assault.

The survey found that the most significant amount of inappropriate behaviour was committed by major donors and philanthropists and carried out towards major donor and philanthropy fundraisers, but respondents also reported it from other types of donors and supporters, including event participants, friend groups, legacy/bequest donors, and trusts and foundations.

Katie Docherty, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said:

“While this survey represents just a sample of fundraisers operating across the UK, the results from it are simply horrifying and unacceptable. Whether it’s one person, or 100 – a report of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviour, is one report too many. No one should have to go to their work every day with the fear of this type of behaviour hanging over them.

“And while sexually inappropriate behaviour has been the main problem reported in this survey, it’s not the only one – fundraisers, whether volunteers or staff, have been shouted at and abused for simply doing their jobs and this can no longer continue. That is why the CIOF, with Rogare, is calling on all charities across the UK to sign our pledge, committing to developing and implementing a Donor Code of Conduct for their organisation – fundraisers are the beating hearts of our sector and we need to ensure they are properly safeguarded from these types of behaviours.”

A code of conduct for donor behaviour was one of the recommendations from Rogare’s Blueprint to Dismantle Patriarchal Structures in Fundraising.

Damian Chapman, chair of Rogare, said:

“Sexual harassment is the most extreme form of donor behaviour that might make fundraisers feel unsafe – but it is not the only one. Bullying both verbal and physical, making disparaging comments about a fundraiser’s protected characteristics, such as their race or sexual orientation, or interfering with their work or career might all harm a fundraiser’s psychological wellbeing.

“We want charities to pledge to safeguard their fundraisers and volunteers – from those who are working in your major donors team to your field fundraisers who are out knocking on doors or speaking to people in the street, to your events teams who are staffing cheer stations at major events like the London Marathon. While it’s unacceptable that they may experience this behaviour, they should feel confident that they can report any issues and know they will be dealt with properly and efficiently, which is why a Donor Code of Conduct is so important.”

Scottish Ballet introduced its own Donor Guiding Principles six months ago, following a two-year process that included internal consultation with Board members, consultations with fundraisers and input from dancers, whom the code is also designed to protect.

Antonia Brownlee, its Director of Philanthropy explained:

“We chose to restate the values that Scottish Ballet adheres to – such as anti-racism, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and improper conduct – and invited supporters to join the organisation in living those values. These principles are sent to patrons when they first join, asking them to confirm that they have read and acknowledge the code, and are resent when patrons renew their annual support.

“Six months on from its introduction, there has not been an incident for which the principles have needed to be invoked. But just having them in place has made Scottish Ballet’s fundraisers feel more confident in dealing with any problems that might arise – having this donor code of conduct has really empowered us to feel confident in starting values-led conversations at the very beginning in discovery meetings with potential donors.”

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Analysis finds ‘optimal wealth band’ of most valuable wills for UK charity gifts

Melanie May — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:41:51 +0000

Analysis of UK legacy gifts suggests that estates worth £1m-£3m (€1.2m-€3.4m) are the most impactful for charities.

Those estates make up just 27% of total estate wealth, but deliver 33% of all charitable bequests, according to new data from Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford, both consultancies working in the wills and legacy giving space.

The new analysis notes that while estates worth more than £3m hold 23% of assets, they contribute only 12% of charitable bequests.

It also shows that giving correlates with wealth – just 6% of estates under £100,000 include a charitable gift, increasing to 29% of estates over £5 million.

However, wealthier donors prefer to make specific cash gifts in their wills, while smaller estates are more likely to include a residuary gift. Residuary gifts, which involve promising a percentage of the estate after relevant debt, taxes and other specific payments are made, tend to more generous than cash gifts.

This new analysis was released by Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford to support the launch of Legacy Navigator, an online platform to support charities in their legacy fundraising. Its features include real-time legacy tracking; benchmarking tools; and access to webinars, training and insight reports.

Ashley Rowthorn, CEO of Legacy Futures, says:

“The £1-3m sweet spot is where legacy fundraising delivers maximum impact and charities looking to grow income from gifts in wills can’t afford to overlook the power of the mid-value donor.”

The new analysis builds on data released by Legacy Futures earlier this year, which showed that legacy gifts provided a total of £4.5bn to UK charities in 2024. The organisation expects that to more than double to £10bn by 2050.

Picture by cottonbro studio on Pexels

Half of UK millionaires include a gift in their will: research

Melanie May — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:40:40 +0000

A UK survey of 500 people with over £1 million in investable assets reveals that 50% of millionaires have included a charitable gift in their will, rising to 75% for those with estates of £5 million+.

The research, which was commissioned by Remember A Charity and conducted by independent research firm Savanta, also notes that legacy giving amongst high net worth individual (HNWIs) may extend beyond a donation in a will, finding that nearly a third of the group (32%) have established a charitable Will Trust, and three in ten (28%) have donated using a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).

Opportunity to engage

Among those millionaires who have not included a charitable legacy in their estate plans, the majority (58%) say they are open to doing so, and 26% say that they hadn’t thought about it before, highlighting an opportunity to engage this audience at the will-planning stage.

Around a quarter (26%) of the millionaires surveyed say they have prepared to leave a percentage of their estate to charity, rather than pledging a fixed sum, while 40% say they would be willing to donate a share of their estate. In the UK, around 90% of legacy income comes from residuary gifts with high value estates driving up legacy values, which Remember A Charity highlights as demonstrating the importance and potential impact of increasing percentage gifts in this market.

Gifts in wills more prevalent among HNWIs with children

In contrast to mass market trends, where child-free individuals are twice as likely as those with children to leave a charitable gift, this study found that, for HNWIs gifts in wills are more prevalent for those with children (50%) than for those without them (42%). Remember A Charity says this indicates that, at this level of wealth, individuals may well recognise they are able to both secure their family’s future and provide support for charitable causes. This may also reflect the fact that intestacy tends to be higher amongst those without dependents, with 1 in 5 saying they don’t have a Will and have no plans to write one.

Lack of up-to-date wills

The research also showed a lack of up-to-date wills amongst this demographic. Only 31% say they have an up-to-date will, and 35% of those aged 55-65 don’t have one at all. A quarter of the millionaires surveyed for this study say they are in the process of writing or updating their will.

Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, said:

“Charitable legacies are hugely valued across the sector, no matter the size of the gift or estate. But these insights into the high value legacy market reveal that legacy giving is even more prevalent in this space than many of us will have anticipated.

“While this is certainly encouraging for charities, many of which are becoming increasingly reliant on donations from those with wealth, this also helps to reinforce to professional advisers just how relevant philanthropy is to their client base – and how crucial it is that they can support their clients in achieving their charitable legacy.”

“However, the study also demonstrates that there are considerable differences in this market, where family is less likely to be seen as a barrier to leaving a charitable gift. By understanding these nuances, sharing inspirational stories from legacy pledgers and equipping professional advisers with the information they need to support their client base, we can work together to support and empower more people with wealth to fulfil their philanthropic goals.”

This week – 8-14 September – is Remember A Charity Week in the UK: the annual public-facing flagship event of Remember A Charity: a consortium of almost 200 charities working with a network of legal advisers, partners and Government to grow legacy giving all year round.

Picture by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash