Legacy gifts in wills are on the rise

Derek Bell

Charity Trustee, My Legacy

Have you considered including a legacy gift in your will to a cause that means something personal to you?

You may be writing your first will or amending it to take account of changing personal circumstances as you go through life. As in other countries, interest in this impactful way of supporting a charity or cause is growing in Ireland. In fact, one in four Irish people intend to include something in their will, according to public research published by the Charities Regulator this year.

Why are legacy gifts in wills so impactful?

Charitable gifts in wills, whether cash or other assets, can strategically help those less well off in society or can be an opportunity to enhance local communities or services, protect the environment, look after animals or contribute to life-saving medical research. The personal satisfaction of including a legacy gift in a will that reflects the values and life experience of the will writer, or in memory of a loved one, makes these gifts deeply special and life-affirming.

From a charity’s perspective, legacy gifts are generally unrestricted, which means they can be used strategically — where they are most needed or for unmet needs that cannot be funded from existing resources or by way of statutory funding for core day-to-day services. Legacy gifts can also allow for future planning or contribute to new capital projects, which can be transformational.

Legacy gifts can powerfully lessen this
turbulence for vulnerable people
and services in the future.

A shared vision of the future

If you already support a charity or have a cause in mind, why not have a no-obligation chat with them about how a potential legacy gift could make a difference in the future? They would be glad to explain their work and impact or discuss how they are planning to fulfil their mission in the years ahead.

As we know, our world is full of uncertainty, and legacy gifts can powerfully lessen this turbulence for vulnerable people and services in the future. If everybody included a gift in their will, imagine how our shared future society could become more positive and hopeful. It’s a powerful thought.