1. Legacy Giving

2. Short quiz 1.What proportion of working age adults haven’t written a will? 2.When did the Church of England first start encouraging parishioners to make a will? 3.What proportion of wills include gifts to charity? 4.What proportion of the voluntary income of well-known charities like RNLI, WWF, Guide Dogs, Cancer Research and RNIB comes from legacies? 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%? 5.What proportion of income do C of E parishes get from legacies?

3. The first thing is to remind people to make a will …

4. If there’s no will …  Estate shared out according to fixed legal formula (intestacy rules)  Administrator chosen by Court  Partners don’t automatically get it all  Personal gifts and wishes not met  Family have extra work & expense  Church & charities get nothing

5. More than 500 years And if he hath not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his debts … for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates whilst they are in health. Book of Common Prayer 1662 Front of 1549 BCP

6. Young families……  Focus on family  Marriage invalidates any existing wills  Partners & spouses don’t automatically get everything  Mirror wills  Guardians and resources to support children Wills need reviewing throughout our lives….

7. Older people…..  Executors  Enduring Power of Attorney - EPA  “Instructions when I die”  “Letter of wishes”  Inheritance Tax planning  Trusts & trustees  Surviving partner makes final decisions on family and church/charities Wills need reviewing throughout our lives….

8. Second, we ask people to consider leaving a gift in their will to the Church …

9. Good news … bad news Over 80% of church members give regularly to support the ministry of their local church but Less than 20% leave a gift to their church family in their will

10. Legacies are the logical culmination of a lifetime of planned giving

11. Christian teaching Everything we have is on loan from God Must adequately provide for earthly family first –What do they need? –Will they use it wisely? We are also members of God’s family Natural to provide for our church family as well as favourite charities Give it away during your lifetime

12. What should the PCC do?

13. Useful sources A range of leaflets available –fully printed one –overprintable –template for developing your own Look in the “Parish Resources” section of the Church Legacy website www.churchlegacy.org.uk www.churchlegacy.org.uk

14. Key PCC tasks 1.Encourage people to regularly review their wills (say every 5 years) 2.Develop a policy on how the PCC will use legacies 3.Explain policy to members 4.Subtly encourage people to leave a final gift to their church family

15. A sample policy … The policy of the PCC is to use legacies to help fund significant development projects in the parish, whether buildings, equipment or staff. As circumstances change over the years, it may not be possible to fulfill specific donor requests, so church members are encouraged to leave gifts in their wills for the general purposes of the parish. The PCC will discuss with executors the most appropriate use of the gift in the light of current projects and the donor's known areas of interest in the church (eg children & youth, music, buildings).

16. A second sample policy… St Ethel’s encourages all members to keep their wills up-to-date. The PCC of St Ethel’s is very grateful for past legacies, and will use future gifts to fund significant ministry and mission development projects (eg staff, buildings or equipment). St Ethel’s encourages members to leave residuary legacies for its general purposes. It will consult Executors to decide on the most appropriate potential uses at the time in the light of future circumstances and the donor’s known wishes.

17. Developing a PCC policy Prefer PCCs to encourage that legacy gifts will be used for future parish development projects: –Buildings, facilities, equipment etc –Ministry, staffing etc –NOT for everyday expenses Need to communicate to the wider church community. Encourage regular reviews of wills (5 years) Encourage “Residuary” versus “pecuniary” legacies Encourage “general” versus “restricted” gifts

18. Demonstrate how legacies have helped the parish in the past … Parish in Sussex countryside –5 bells in 1760, treble in 1928 –Francis Munt 1874 – lectern –Alison MacDonnell - Allen organ –Ancient parish trusts – poverty and education –Rev George Faithfull – south aisle & new pews –Helen Ravenscroft 1938 – pulpit & choir –Joyce Brett – parish office & curate’s house –Yew trees 500 years old – Cranmer quote

19. PCC actions Someone needs to lead the promotion of wills and legacies (PGO?) Leaflets and guidance are available nationally, or can produce your own Talk about “a gift in your will” rather than “legacy”

20. Local marketing Drip-feed messages slowly over the years Key issues for different age groups –Marriage preparation & young families –Empty-nesters and retired –Single people (never married) –Frail and very elderly Deal with common excuses Choose a catchy slogan –Where there’s a will Your will be done –Will & Grace A dead giveaway Use different media and approaches Tailor with local examples and stories Focus on residuary legacies, rather than pecuniary Emphasise your church’s work & vision, NOT the mechanics of will-making

21. Different media Parish magazine, news-sheet, notices Posters, leaflets Targeted letters to different (age) groups Parish Book of Remembrance Meetings – church-based & local groups Local newspapers, radio & TV Can use National legacy promotions – Will Aid etc Sermon on Christian use of wealth –at All Saints or All Souls in November

22. Some DON’Ts! Put out blank codicil forms Encourage DIY will forms and will writers PCCs must not pay for wills to be written Church officers should not act as witnesses to wills of church members, particularly if they leave a gift in their will to the PCC Gather pledges – the data is of very limited use, and people will be reluctant to share this Offer advice on the contents of wills – always suggest that they get professional advice

23. Discussion : What would your church do if it was left a £100,000 legacy?

24. When legacies arrive Notification … and grateful response Executors – professionals and lay Pecuniary, residuary, life interest Event log – especially for residuary Maximising estate assets Minimising estate liabilities Guide available on churchlegacy.org.uk

25. Useful sources Church Legacy website www.churchlegacy.org.uk www.churchlegacy.org.uk Law Society www.lawsociety.org.uk Remember a Charity campaign www.rememberacharity.org.uk www.rememberacharity.org.uk Will Aid www.willaid.orgwww.willaid.org Free Wills Fortnight www.freewillsfortnight.co.uk www.freewillsfortnight.co.uk Citizens Advice www.adviceguide.org.ukwww.adviceguide.org.uk Help the Aged www.helptheaged.org.ukwww.helptheaged.org.uk