Five top myths and misconceptions about charitable gifts in Wills

Lucinda Frostick

Director, Remember A Charity

Explore the misconceptions surrounding ‘Willanthropy’ or the act of giving to charity from your Will.

Giving to charity through a Will has become increasingly popular in the UK, as more people choose to continue supporting the charities that mean so much to them. However, there are still many preconceptions and myths that surround this form of giving.

Myth 1: Leaving money to charity is something only the wealthy do

For many, a legacy gift represents an opportunity to donate more than they would at any point in their lifetime. However, there’s no minimum donation when giving from your Will. Donations vary widely, with more than one in five charity supporters over the age of 40 choosing to leave a gift in this way.¹

Myth 2: If I give from my Will, my family will miss out

The wonderful thing about giving from your Will is you have complete flexibility and autonomy around who benefits and how much you give. Once you’ve taken care of your loved ones, you could choose to gift a small percentage of your estate to your favourite charity, a fixed sum or even the residual amount. It’s entirely up to you.

Gifts in Wills can be left to any
charitable organisation — large or small.

Myth 3: My gift won’t really make a difference

Almost £3 in £10 donated to many UK charities comes through gifts in Wills.² These donations make a huge difference and are deeply valued. Some of the nation’s most well-known charities simply wouldn’t exist without such gifts, which fund over 50% of the British Heart Foundation’s work and 6 in 10 lifeboat launches for the RNLI and transform futures for many local charities.

Myth 4: It’s only for the big charities

Gifts in Wills can be left to any charitable organisation — large or small. In the UK, over 10,000 charities and community-based organisations are named in Wills annually,³ helping them fund vital services. Moreover, many people often choose to benefit several charities from their Will, recognising multiple organisations that have touched their lives.

Myth 5: Writing a Will or including a charity is expensive and complicated

There are many ways to write a Will; it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. This includes working with a solicitor or professional Will-writer, writing your Will via an online platform or through free Will-writing campaigns from charities. What’s important is that you find the option that works best for you and provides the advice you need.

[1] Stages of Change OKO/Remember A Charity, 2023
[2] Legacy Futures, 2023 (Based on top 1,000 charities for legacy income in England and Wales)
[3] Smee & Ford, 2024