Make More of a Difference
Legacies
Serve receives donations and gifts in various forms, including being remembered in individuals` wills. These gifts help to safeguard the future provision of our services to people, one in six of whom, are deemed to be living in poverty, and who desperately need help and support.
A legacy allows you to make your mark on the world by providing for a good cause that is close to your heart. Free of inheritance tax, a donation made in your will may also help to reduce the tax burden on your estate.
How does it work?
A charitable legacy could be a gift of money or of any other assets that you leave behind. While there are a number of options to consider, there are two main types of charitable legacies; pecuniary and residuary. Pecuniary legacies specify a sum of money or item of value to be donated, whilst a residuary legacy allows you to donate a percentage of the net value of your estate or the remaining sum after you have provided for family and friends.
To leave a legacy to charity, you simply need to include details of the donation in your will. This can be done by writing a will, by making an amendment (or codicil) to an existing will or by setting up a trust.
Although making or changing your Will is simple, it is important that you consult a solicitor or professional advisor. The wording of your Will is very important in letting it be known if you wish to gift a specific amount of money or property, or whether you are gifting the residuary amount of your estate.
For guidance, we have given examples of these below but you are strongly advised to seek professional advice in relation to your own personal circumstances before making any decisions:
I give the sum of £. (or specified item(s) or property ) to Serve, 19, Church Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 9YU, registered charity number 1043321. I further direct that the receipt of a Director or other officer of Serve for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge of the said gift.
Or
I give the residue of my estate to Serve, 19, Church Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 9YU, registered charity number 1043321 for its general charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of a Director or other officer of Serve for the time being shall be full and sufficient discharge of the said gift.
Asking for donations is never easy but they are the life-blood of the charity and without them Serve simply would not exist. It is through the generosity of caring individuals like you, that makes all the difference.
So, if you are considering leaving us a legacy, please accept our sincere gratitude and thanks (it would also help us considerably if you could let us know of your intention). And remember, unless you advise us otherwise, all personal information and details of any legacy, will be treated in strictest confidence. Thank You