“One of the most important things the bursary does is show students they belong at Trinity, no matter where they’ve come from. It is financial support like this that is paving a crucial path for the future of Cambridge.”
After meeting commitments to your family, loved ones, and dependents, you may choose to remember other causes and organisations that have played a significant part in shaping your life. For over 350 alumni who have chosen to leave a gift to Trinity in their Will, a bequest is the most enduring gift of all.
The generosity of previous generations has allowed the College to establish named studentships and bursaries, maintain and improve its buildings, and support a thriving College community through sports clubs and student societies. No matter the size
of the gift, legacies allow Trinity to ensure excellence in teaching and research for generations to come.
Whether you are planning for your retirement, writing your first Will, or considering giving to the College, legacy gifts are a way to support Trinity while benefiting from significant financial and tax advantages. If you would like to express your support for Trinity through a gift in your Will, this brochure gives you an insight into how you can shape your gift to best suit your philanthropic and financial goals.
Most donors choose to leave an unrestricted legacy to the College, which allows Trinity to respond to ever-changing needs. Some donors prefer to allocate their bequest to one or more of Trinity priorities below. Whatever you decide, respecting the wishes of our donors is of the utmost importance for the College, and we would be happy to discuss individual projects with you.
Research fellowships and studentships allow Trinity to remain at the forefront of research and teaching, advancing its contribution to human understanding and tackling the world’s pressing challenges.
The Student Support Fund allows Trinity to admit the best students from around the world, regardless of social or economic circumstances. The fund supports studentships and bursaries which help to ensure that all students can benefit from the full breadth of opportunities Trinity provides.
Unrestricted gifts are used at the discretion of the College to support current priorities and areas of need. If you are considering leaving a legacy, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss how your gift could make a lasting impact.
“Receiving a bursary means that I am relieved significantly from many aspects of financial stress. It allows me to go to Hall despite the cost for regular meals. Financial issues are now of little concern and I can now put my focus into more important endeavours such as my studies and playing basketball.”
Undergraduate student, Mathematics
“Without
alumni, First and Third simply couldn’t achieve what it does. Legacy gifts make a lasting difference as they help fund expert coaching, essential equipment and support for students. Last year, alumni support contributed to us winning the Michell Cup!”
Zara Bek (2022), Classics
“I am thrilled that I was able to start my own scientific career in the footsteps of a brilliant scientist, Michael Neuberger, at an institute where Nobel laureates collaborate so closely.”
Andrew Zeller (2021), PhD in Biological Sciences
There are many ways you can make your legacy provision. Most of our donors choose to leave a Residuary Legacy. That is, leaving part of the residue of their estate after expenses have been deducted and bequests to loved ones and dependents have been made. This ensures that commitments to loved ones take priority, while protecting the real value of the gift you decide to leave.
Other types of legacy gifts include Pecuniary Legacies, Reversionary Legacies, Conditional Legacies and Life Assurance Policy Legacies. Your solicitor is the best person to advise you on which type of gift may be the right one for you.
“Alumni-funded scholarships have drawn incredibly talented and bright individuals to Trinity, including many aspiring entrepreneurs. Often, casual conversations about our PhD projects or company plans during Trinity events, formals, or brunches, spark ideas and solutions to lab problems that improve the quality and impact of our future work.”
Including Trinity in your Will is often a taxefficient way of supporting the College.
Under current UK legislation, your estate will not have to pay inheritance tax on any gifts given to charities, museums, universities or community amateur sports clubs.
Under current UK legislation, if you leave at least 10% of your net Estate to charity, the rate of Inheritance Tax on the remainder of your taxable Estate is reduced from 40% to 36%. Please talk to a qualified professional, such as a solicitor, to discuss the potential tax implications for your circumstances.
Trinity College is recognised as a charity for tax purposes in the United Kingdom. The registered charity number for Trinity College is: 1137604
Though we suggest consulting your legal advisor or accountant before making any changes to your Will, the College might be able to advise on making tax-efficient legacies from other jurisdictions.
Everyone who has informed us of a gift in their Will to Trinity will be welcomed as a lifetime member of The Great Court Circle, irrespective of the size of the legacy.
No gift is too small, and the society is our way of thanking you for your generosity. In recognition of your support for Trinity, we would like to welcome you to College for regular events in Hall, followed by tours of the Fellows’ Garden, music recitals or lectures.
We understand that Wills are sensitive and private matters and that you may not wish to discuss the details with the College. However, informing us of your legacy allows us to thank you for your generosity during your lifetime, if only by welcoming you to our legacy society –The Great Court Circle.
If you choose to remember Trinity in your Will, you can let us know by completing the Legacy Pledge Form.
If you already have a Will but would like to add Trinity as a beneficiary, a Codicil form can be used for this purpose.
Get in touch
If you have any further questions about making a bequest to the College, please get in touch with our Alumni Relations and Development Office. We would be delighted to discuss any ideas or projects with you.
E legacies@trin.cam.ac.uk
T 01223 761527
Trinity College Cambridge, CB2 1TQ, UK
Registered Charity No. 1137604
We recommend using the suggested wording below to leave a gift in your Will to Trinity College.
“I give to the Master, Fellows and Scholars of Trinity College Cambridge (Registered Charity number 1137604) [the residue of my estate]/ [x% of the residue of my estate]/ [the sum of £x] free of tax for the general purposes of the College. I declare that the receipt of the Bursar or other authorised officer of the College shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees who shall not thereafter be concerned as to the application of this gift.”
www.trin.cam.ac.uk/alumni