Gifts in Wills pocket guide

Staff & Volunteers

GIFTS IN WILLS GO TO GUIDE WE ARE ALL LEGACY FUNDRAISERS

Did you know that 1 in 4 of the children in our care are supported by Gifts in Wills?

Legacies – or Gifts in Wills – are a vital source of voluntary income for Julia’s House. They help us plan for our future, so we can focus on what’s important – looking after the children and families in our care.

Legacies count for around 25%–30% of our total annual income – which is why we use the 1 in 4 message.

In this guide you will find out more about Gifts in Wills; what they are, how they help and how you can talk about them.

WHAT ARE GIFTS IN WILLS?

A Gift in a Will, also known as a legacy, is an amount of money, percentage of an estate, or a specific item or property left in someone’s will.

When someone leaves a Gift in their Will to us, it’s often the largest gift they can or will ever give. A legacy is a way for people to ensure their values live on, and it’s something our supporters care about very much.

WHY ME? Research has shown that most people don’t choose to leave a Gift in their Will as a result of a specific mailing or other communication from Julia’s House.

Instead, it’s often because they’ve been prompted to think about it a result of a casual conversation – for example when visiting our hospice or one of our shops, at a stall at a local fete, at a quiz evening – or just chatting to someone they’re sitting next to on a bus.

Research also shows that many people would consider leaving a gift to charity if they were asked to do so. But many charities just never ask or tell their supporters just how important legacies are to them.

Just 1% from a Will can make a huge difference to local families

1%

HOW DO I START THE CONVERSATION? •

If you’re talking with a supporter you could simply mention Gifts in Wills as one of the ways they could help support us now and in the future.

•

If it’s appropriate and the supporter is showing an interest in Gifts in Wills, you could mention some of our key legacy messages:

1 1 in 4 of the children in our care are supported or funded by Gifts in Wills 2 A Gift in your Will costs nothing now 3 Just 1% can make a huge difference

•

We don’t expect you to be a Gift in Wills expert!

Please do signpost supporters to the Legacy team or hand them a Gifts in Wills Guide. If a supporter asks to speak to someone in the Legacy team directly, you can always take a number and name to pass on if they wish.

What type of gift can people leave?

There are several different ways that someone can leave a Gift in their Will: A residuary gift is a proportion of your estate, once all other gifts have been paid. This can be the entire residue, or a percentage of it. Just 1% can make a huge difference.

A pecuniary gift is a specific amount of money.

A specific gift is an object such as a painting, a jewellery collection, or a property.

Three things you can share with supporters: 1

A gift of any size makes a difference.

Gifts in Wills come in all shapes and sizes.

From £500 to £500,000, or 1% to 100% of someone’s estate. Each gift means we can plan effectively to continue to support families into the future.

2

There is a Gifts in Wills Guide if supporters want more information.

Either point them towards Amy Martin, Legacy Fundraiser, or if you’ve got Gifts in Wills leaflets with you, or in your shop, offer them a copy to take away.

3

We offer a Free Wills Service.

We offer two free Will writing service options: face to face with a solicitor, or online with our online Will provider, Guardian Angel. More information can be found at juliashouse.org/legacy or details within the Gifts in Wills Guide.

Support and resources You can find more information about Gifts in Wills on the Julia’s House website juliashouse.org/legacy, including a glossary of terminology, or by getting in touch with the Legacy Fundraiser, Amy Martin.

Email amy.martin@juliashouse.org Telephone 01202 644220 juliashouse.org/legacy

Registered Charity No. 1067125