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Home Personal giving Resources for effective giving A guide to strengthening your charitable legacy plans
04 February 2026

A guide to strengthening your charitable legacy plans

Rosalind Barter Rosalind Barter Legacy Manager

Leaving a charitable legacy is a powerful way to ensure your values live on.

If you have chosen to include a gift to charity in your Will, you know that it is not a one off decision. It is something that can evolve as your priorities and circumstances change. As these shift, so too might the causes that resonate most with you.

Perhaps you have seen a local charity flourish, or new global challenges have captured your attention. Keeping your legacy plans healthy helps ensure your future charitable gift has the greatest possible impact. 

In this blog, we share practical suggestions for reviewing and strengthening your charitable legacy over the long term.    

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Review your chosen charities

The world changes, and so do charities. Every few years, revisit the charitable organisations named in your Letter of Wishes to ensure they still reflect your intentions. You could consider:

  • Impact: do they still deliver the social impact that aligns with your expectations and values?
  • Relevance: does their current mission still resonate with the issues you care about most?
  • Stability: reviewing recent annual reports can help you understand whether they remain well governed and financially resilient.

 

Protect your legacy from the effects of inflation

If you have chosen to leave a fixed sum of money in your Will (a pecuniary legacy), its value will decrease over time. A residuary gift, which is a percentage of your estate, can help your legacy hold its value because it rises and falls in line with your assets.

 

Stay informed about tax changes

Tax rules and legislation change from time to time and may affect the value of your estate. For example, from April 2027, the treatment of undrawn pension savings for Inheritance Tax (IHT) will change significantly. 

If changes like this might impact your plans, a professional adviser can help you keep your legacy tax efficient and aligned with your wishes.

 

Choose a flexible approach in your giving

While it can be tempting to support a specific project, unrestricted gifts are often the most valuable to charities. They allow organisations to respond to the greatest need at the time, ensuring your generosity has the widest possible impact. If you have a preference, you can still share it while giving charities room to respond to future needs.

 

Share the story behind your legacy

Sharing the story behind your giving can be a powerful and lasting act. You might consider writing a personal note or “side letter” to your children or wider family, explaining why you have chosen to leave a charitable gift. This can help them understand that your philanthropy is an important part of your life story.

 

Keep your contact details up to date

It may sound simple, but keeping your personal information current is an important part of maintaining a healthy legacy plan. If you move house, change your address, update your email, or switch phone numbers, remember to update your Letter of Wishes. Accurate details help ensure your wishes can be carried out smoothly and as you intend.

 

Charitable legacy review checklist:

 

  • The values check: does your list of chosen charities still reflect what matters to you?
  • The charitable gift check: would a fixed cash amount (pecuniary legacy) or a percentage of your estate (residuary gift) be more effective in guarding against inflation?
  • The legislation check: are there any upcoming changes in legislation or tax that might affect your estate’s value?
  • The flexibility check: have you given your chosen charities the freedom to use your gift where it is most needed?
  • The family check: have you shared the motivations behind your charitable legacy with the people close to you? (provided you feel comfortable to do this).
  • The details check: have you updated CAF, or the organisation holding your Letter of Wishes, with any changes to personal details?

 

Looking ahead: strengthen your legacy over time

Legacy giving is a meaningful commitment, one that grows stronger when nurtured over time. By checking in on your plans every few years, you can ensure your gift continues to reflect what matters most to you and has the greatest possible impact in the future.

 

How CAF can help

Our Charitable Legacy Service allows you to update your chosen charities or adjust the proportions of your gift at any time through your Letter of Wishes, without the need to amend your Will. This flexibility helps ensure your legacy continues to reflect your values as they evolve. It also simplifies the process for your executors by naming CAF as the sole charity, while still enabling you to support multiple charitable causes. 

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