Legacy Month: Why the Gifts We Leave Behind Matter More Than Ever

Amit Fraser CEO Migdal ohr Europe

Every year, Legacy Month offers us a moment to pause and reflect not just on what we’ve achieved, but on the future we want to build. For charities across the UK, gifts in Wills have quietly become one of the most powerful drivers of long-term change. And yet, they remain one of the least talked-about.

As the CEO of Migdal Ohr Europe, I see every day how legacy gifts transform lives. They fund the work that isn’t always visible in the headlines: the long-term projects, the innovation, the safety nets that keep our services stable even when the world feels uncertain. Legacy gifts safeguard our future. They allow us to plan boldly, act responsibly, and grow sustainably.

This month, I want to shine a spotlight on why legacies matter not in abstract terms, but in real, measurable impact.

1. The Rise of Legacy Giving – and Why It’s Critical for the Sector

Legacy giving in the UK is growing at a remarkable pace. Research published in 2024 shows:

• £4.5 billion was donated through gifts in Wills last year – a 9% increase on the previous year.
• More than 145,000 estates included charitable gifts – the highest number ever recorded.
• Residuary bequests now average £65,000, while pecuniary gifts average £4,500.

These aren’t small numbers. They are lifelines.

For many charities including ours legacy income is one of the most stable, resilient forms of funding. While donations and grants can fluctuate with economic conditions, gifts in Wills tend to remain steady, and have historically weathered multiple recessions.

This reliability allows us to think about the next decade, not just the next quarter.

2. The Changing Face of Legacy Donors

One of the most promising shifts in recent years is the rising willingness of people to consider legacy giving.

A major tracking study found:

• 21% of donors aged 40+ say they have already included a charitable gift in their Will — up from 14% just a decade ago.
• The percentage of people opposed to leaving a legacy gift has dropped significantly, from 13% down to 9%.
• Younger Will-makers, especially those in their 40s and 50s, are increasingly likely to include charity in their planning.

This tells us something important: legacy giving is becoming a norm, not an exception.

People are no longer viewing legacy gifts as something reserved for the wealthy or the elderly. They’re seeing them as a meaningful, accessible way to express their values and create impact beyond their lifetime.

3. But There’s Still a Huge Communication Gap

Even with rising interest, there remains one striking challenge:

64% of people who leave a legacy gift never tell the charity.

Most say:

• “It never occurred to me,”
• “I didn’t know it would matter,” or
• “I didn’t want a fuss.”

From a charity perspective, this silence matters because:

• It makes long-term planning more difficult.
• It prevents us from thanking supporters properly.
• It stops us from understanding their motivations, which is critical for building trust.

That’s why Legacy Month is so important – it opens the door to conversations that many people would otherwise postpone.

4. What Legacy Gifts Make Possible

At Migdal Ohr, legacy gifts have funded some of the most transformational work in our history. These gifts support:

• Long-term programmes that need multi-year investment

• New innovations, allowing us to test ideas and scale what works

• Crisis support, giving us flexibility when global or local challenges arise

• Infrastructure and core costs, which few donors see as attractive but which keep the entire organisation functioning

Legacy donors are the quiet architects of our future. They are the reason we can keep our promises – not just today, but for years to come.

5. Breaking Down the Barriers: Making Conversations About Wills Normal

Talking about wills can feel uncomfortable. But Legacy Month gives us the chance to reframe the conversation – not around death, but around values, meaning, and impact.

Legacy gifts are not about the end of someone’s story. They’re about what they choose to leave behind.

This month encourages people to ask:

• What do I care about most?

• What do I want my impact to be?

• How can my values live on beyond me?

The truth is that even a small percentage of an estate – sometimes as little as 1% – can create extraordinary change. And it doesn’t take away from what you leave to loved ones.

6. The Future of Legacy Giving: A Strategic Priority

The legacy sector is forecast to grow steadily over the next decade. This is not only due to demographic changes, but because more people are becoming conscious of the long-term imprint they can leave.

For charities, this means:

1. We must make legacy conversations normal.

Talking about wills shouldn’t be awkward or sensitive – it should be empowering.

2. We need stronger partnerships with professional advisers.

One in four professionally written wills now include a charitable gift. Strengthening relationships with solicitors and financial planners helps ensure charity is part of the conversation from the beginning.

3. Donor stewardship must become personalised and thoughtful.

Legacy donors aren’t just supporters – they are future investors in our mission. They deserve care, communication, and gratitude.

4. Transparency is essential.

Supporters want to know exactly how legacy gifts are used and what difference they make.

Legacy gifts are built on trust – and trust must be nurtured.

7. Our Promise to Legacy Supporters

As CEO, I believe deeply in the responsibility that comes with receiving a gift in a Will. It is a profound act of faith. A legacy gift tells us:

“I believe in your mission strongly enough to invest in a future I won’t see.”

That is humbling.

For everyone who leaves a legacy to our charity, we promise:

• To use your gift wisely and transparently
• To honour your wishes
• To ensure your values live on through our work
• To treat your legacy as a responsibility, not an entitlement

You become part of our story – and the story of every life we touch.

8. A Personal Invitation This Legacy Month

If you have already included a gift in your Will: Thank you. Truly. Your generosity shapes our future.

If you are considering a legacy gift: We’d love to speak with you. There is no obligation – just a conversation about your values and how they align with our long-term mission.

If you believe in our work:

• Share this blog.
• Start the conversation.
• Join the movement that is building tomorrow’s impact today.

Legacy Month isn’t just about planning ahead it’s about creating a future that reflects the very best of us.