Charity Week - leave a legacy in your Will

Charity Week Reminder

September 09, 2026•8 min read

How to Leave a Gift to Charity in Your Will: A 5-Step Guide for Remember A Charity Week 2026

A family discussing a Will and charitable legacy at home

Charity Week takes place from 7–13 September 2026. It is a helpful reminder that your Will can do more than pass on money and possessions.

It can protect your family. It can provide certainty. And it can support a cause that matters to you for years to come.

Leaving a gift to charity in your Will does not have to be complicated. The key is choosing the right type of gift and using clear wording that reflects your wishes.

This five-step guide explains how to leave a legacy gift in your Will while keeping your loved ones at the heart of your planning.

> Important: This article provides general information for England and Wales. Inheritance Tax rules and Will requirements can be complex. Always take tailored advice before finalising your Will.

Step 1: Decide what you want your Will to achieve

Before choosing a charity legacy donation, think about the people who depend on you.

Your Will should first provide clear protection for your spouse or partner, children, dependants and anyone else you wish to support. It should also consider your home, savings, business interests, debts and funeral expenses.

A charitable gift can then be included in a way that fits around those priorities.

Ask yourself:

Who should benefit from my estate?
Do I want to leave money, an item, a percentage or an asset?
Which charity or charities matter most to me?
Do I want the gift to be used for general charitable purposes or a specific project?
Could my family circumstances change before my death?

Your charity should be named clearly. Use its full legal name and, where applicable, its registered charity number. This helps your executors identify the correct organisation and reduces the risk of delay.

You can find further guidance about charitable gifts through Remember A Charity.

Step 2: Choose the right type of charitable gift

There are several ways to leave a gift to charity in your Will. The best option depends on your assets and the protection you want to provide for your loved ones.

Four types of charitable legacy gifts: cash, personal item, estate share and future property gift

Pecuniary gift: a fixed sum of money

A pecuniary gift is a specific cash amount.

For example, you might leave £5,000 to a named charity.

This is simple and easy to understand. However, remember that inflation can reduce the real value of a fixed cash gift over time. You may wish to review it regularly.

Specific gift: a named item or asset

A specific gift is a particular possession or asset. This could include:

Jewellery
Shares
A vehicle
A painting
Land or property
A valuable collection

The item must still belong to you when you die. If you sell it, give it away or replace it, the gift may fail unless your Will includes suitable wording.

Residuary gift: a share of what remains

Your “residue” is what is left after debts, expenses, taxes and other gifts have been dealt with.

A residuary gift leaves all or part of this remainder to charity. For example, you could leave 5% or 10% of your residuary estate.

This option can be flexible because the value rises or falls with your estate. It can also help your gift keep pace with inflation.

Reversionary gift: charity benefits later

A reversionary gift, sometimes called a life interest or postponed gift, allows someone to benefit from an asset first. The asset then passes to the charity later.

For example, your partner may be allowed to live in a property during their lifetime. After their death, the property could pass to the charity.

This type of arrangement needs careful drafting. It may be suitable where you want to support your family first while securing a long-term charitable legacy.

Step 3: Understand the Inheritance Tax benefits

Charitable gifts can have important Inheritance Tax benefits.

In general, a qualifying gift to charity in your Will is exempt from Inheritance Tax. This means the charitable gift itself is not normally taxed.

There is also a potential reduced rate. If you leave 10% or more of the relevant net value of your estate to charity, the Inheritance Tax rate on the taxable part of the estate may reduce from 40% to 36%.

This is not simply 10% of everything you own. The calculation can involve:

Debts and funeral expenses
Your available tax allowances
The value of your home
Business or agricultural reliefs
How your estate is divided
Previous gifts and other assets

The GOV.UK Inheritance Tax guidance explains the basic rules. You can also use the official Inheritance Tax reduced rate calculator.

A professional should check the figures. A gift that is slightly below the required threshold may not qualify for the reduced rate. A carefully drafted percentage gift can sometimes provide greater certainty than a fixed cash amount.

The important point is this: tax planning should never override your family’s needs. Your Will should be structured around your wishes first, with tax considered as part of the wider plan.

Step 4: Use clear wording and avoid common mistakes

A charitable legacy donation can fail or be delayed when the wording is unclear.

Common mistakes include:

Using an informal charity name: The charity may be difficult to identify if its full name and registered number are missing.
Leaving an asset you no longer own: A specific gift may fail if the item has been sold or transferred.
Using an outdated cash amount: Inflation may significantly reduce the gift’s value.
Failing to define the residue: The Will must make clear what is included and what is deducted before the charity receives its share.
Adding complicated conditions: Conditions that are vague, impossible or difficult to meet can create disputes.
Forgetting backup arrangements: Your Will should explain what happens if the charity closes, merges or can no longer accept the gift.
Copying wording from the internet: A clause that worked for another person may not suit your estate.
Incorrect signing and witnessing: In England and Wales, a Will generally needs to be signed in the presence of two independent adult witnesses, who then sign in your presence. A beneficiary should not act as a witness.

Do not rely on a template alone. The wording should also protect your family first. It should clearly set out their inheritance, deal with practical issues and then provide for your chosen charity in the way you intend.

Step 5: Speak to Secure Wills and complete your Will properly

A Will is a legal document. Small errors can have serious consequences.

A regulated Will writer can help you:

Choose between a pecuniary, specific, residuary or reversionary gift
Check the charity’s correct details
Protect your family’s inheritance
Assess whether the 10% charitable giving condition may apply
Include suitable backup wording
Make sure the Will is signed and witnessed correctly
Store the document safely
Review your plans when circumstances change

Regulation also gives you greater accountability. Ask who regulates the adviser, whether they hold professional indemnity insurance and what protections are available if something goes wrong.

At Secure Wills, we provide friendly, expert advice in plain English. We are fully insured and qualified, with clear, fixed pricing and no hidden fees. You can arrange an appointment by phone, video or home visit. We also offer document storage and lifetime reviews.

Your charitable legacy checklist

Before your appointment, make a note of:

The people you want to protect
Your main assets and liabilities
Your preferred charity or charities
Each charity’s full name and registered number
The type of gift you are considering
Whether you want to explore the 36% Inheritance Tax rate
Any existing Will, trust or gift arrangements
Your preferred executors and replacement executors

Secure Wills six-step process for preparing and storing a Will

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave a gift to charity and still provide for my family?

Yes. A charitable gift can be drafted alongside gifts for your spouse, partner, children and other loved ones. The important thing is to take advice so the whole Will works together.

Do I have to leave 10% to charity?

No. You can leave any gift that reflects your wishes. The 10% figure matters only if you want to explore the potential reduced 36% Inheritance Tax rate, and the calculation is more detailed than simply taking 10% of your total estate.

Can I change my charitable gift later?

Usually, yes, provided you have the necessary mental capacity. You should update your Will after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, bereavement, receiving an inheritance or changing your preferred charity.

Is a charity legacy donation the same as giving money during my lifetime?

No. A legacy gift is made from your estate after your death. You can support a charity during your lifetime and leave a separate gift in your Will.

What happens if the charity changes its name?

Clear wording can help your executors identify the correct organisation. This is one reason to use the charity’s full details and have your Will professionally drafted.