Leaving a gift to charity in your will

Continue to make a difference after you're gone by leaving a gift to charity in your will.

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Including a gift to charity in your will is a great way to support causes you care about after you're gone. Whether it’s a charity that helped you or a loved one, or a cause you feel strongly about, your gift can make a lasting difference.

Why leave a gift to charity in your will?

According to Remember a Charity, almost a quarter of wills in the UK handled by legal advisors include a gift to charity. Even a small gift can help fund vital services, research, and support.

Leaving a charitable gift is also a meaningful way to reflect your values and life experiences. Many people choose charities that have supported them personally, such as health organisations, animal welfare groups, or local causes.

How to leave a gift to charity in your will

Leaving a gift in your will is simple, but it’s important to get the details right. You can leave:

a fixed sum of money (known as a pecuniary legacy)
a share of your estate (known as a residuary legacy)

You can include one or more charities in your will, and there are no set rules about how much you must leave.

If you’re ready to make your will, you can start your will online and add details of gifts you’d like to leave to charity. Our experts will check in with you after you’ve filled out your details to double check your will and make sure it covers all scenarios.

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Get started with our online will writing service and you'll get a follow up call to answer any queries and finalise your will.

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Tax benefits of charitable giving

Leaving a gift to charity in your will can reduce the tax burden on your estate while supporting a cause you care about.

Gifts to registered charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax. If you leave 10% or more of your net estate to charity, your estate may qualify for a reduced rate of Inheritance Tax (36% instead of 40%).

To qualify for this exemption, the charity must:

be a UK charity
be officially recognised by HM Revenue & Customs
have a valid Charity Reference Number

This confirms the charity is eligible for tax relief. You can check a charity’s registration status on the Charity Commission website.

Some smaller charities might not need a registration with the Charity Commission to be exempt from Inheritance Tax. You should check with the charity to see if they are exempt if they don’t have a Charity Reference Number.

Making sure your wishes are followed

It’s important to ensure your will is legally valid. For example, getting married or remarried automatically cancels your existing will unless it specifically refers to your upcoming marriage.

If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed under the rules of intestacy, which do not include charitable donations. If you have no living relatives, your estate will likely go to the Crown.

Things to consider when leaving money to charity

Pecuniary legacies (fixed sums) are paid before residuary legacies (shares of your estate). If your estate is smaller than expected, this could affect what others receive.
It’s important to think about how your estate might change over time and to review your will regularly.
Professional advice can help you plan for different scenarios and make sure your wishes are carried out.

Choosing a charity to leave a gift to in your will

When deciding which charity to support, consider:

Personal connections - has the charity helped you or someone close to you?
Values and causes - what issues matter most to you?
Impact - how does the charity use donations?
Registration status – is the charity registered with the Charity Commission and HMRC?