NSPCC Ad Feature
Leaving a gift in your will to the NSPCC is a very personal decision, but making this commitment could make a huge difference to vulnerable children needing support and protection.
The NSPCC relies on the support of ordinary families to help them fund the vital services and support that ensures young people are safe and secure. So if you are considering leaving a gift in your will, no matter what the sum, you can be sure it can have a positive impact on future generations of children.
Here, we explain how you can leave a legacy, and how doing so can not only benefit the NSPCC, but may also have financial benefits for your loved ones.
What types of gifts can I leave?
When you choose to leave a gift to help protect children from abuse, you have a range of options available to you.
The three main types of gift you can leave to the NSPCC in your will are:
1) A residuary legacy
This type of legacy allows you to give a percentage of whatever remains in your estate after debts, funeral expenses, and other gifts have been paid out. A residuary legacy may see your gift grow over time as the value of your estate increases.
2) A pecuniary legacy
This is a fixed amount of money that you leave in your will. Bear in mind that its value may reduce over time thanks to the impact of inflation, so you might want to review it from time to time.
3) A specific item
A legacy doesn’t have to be a monetary amount, you can leave a specific item, such as an antique or a piece of jewellery.
No matter what kind of gift you choose, your hard-earned money will be put to good use, helping young people for many years to come. Last year, around a quarter of the charity’s donations came from gifts in Wills, and each year around £20 million is raised thanks to gifts people generously left in their wills.
You can find out more about leaving a gift to the NSPCC in your will by requesting this free gifts in wills guide.
What your gift could be used for
Over 80% of the NSPCC’s income comes from those who choose to donate, and any legacy you leave to the NSPCC will help provide essential support for children, no matter what challenges they face.
Your gift could help fund research and learning programmes to stay ahead of those who harm children. Last year alone, the NSPCC worked directly with 1,800 children and families, with its research and services helping to prevent abuse before it starts. It could fund Childline and the NSPCC Helpline, and support education programmes that give children the power and confidence to speak out when something is wrong.
The NSPCC also offers a range of support programmes like Keeping Children Safe Online, giving parents and carers the tools they need to guide their children in the digital world.
It doesn’t matter how big or small it is – every donation will make a huge difference for children. For example, £100 could pay for a trained practitioner to support parents and families for four hours, while £100,000 could help NSPCC reach more than 33,300 primary school children through the Speak Out, Stay Safe programme.
Why gifts in wills are so important
By keeping an up-to-date will, you set out what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death. This is the best way to make sure the people dearest to you are provided for. After that’s done, many people consider leaving a gift to a cause they’re passionate about. You can find out more about why outlining your wishes in a will is crucial in our guide The importance of writing a will.
Not only does a legacy make a difference to the charity you leave it to, but it could also help reduce the amount of inheritance tax that needs to be paid on your estate, at no cost to any other beneficiary. That’s because registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax. This means that gifts to NSPCC or Childline are usually paid free of tax and are deducted from the estate before the tax is calculated.
If you’re planning to leave a substantial charitable gift to the NSPCC, which is equivalent to 10% or more of your estate, this will reduce how much inheritance tax is charged on the remainder of your estate, as it reduces your payable rate from 40% to 36%.
Please bear in mind that inheritance tax planning can be a complex area, so it’s worth seeking professional financial advice if you’re unsure.
If you’re thinking about writing or updating your will, get your free gifts in wills guide today. This guide contains all the practical information you need to include a gift in your will, so that you can help the NSPCC be there for children, no matter what the future holds.
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