Leave a gift in your will

Legacy gifts are extremely valuable, as they enable Fellows and friends to give significant sums to the Academy without immediate cost. Unrestricted support is particularly valuable in providing flexible resource for the long-term independence and success of the Academy as we mobilise our disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future.

There are a number of ways in which you can leave a legacy to the British Academy, depending on your own personal circumstances and intentions.

Residuary legacy – give the whole or a proportion of your estate to the British Academy once all specific legacies, debts and expenses have been settled. A residuary legacy by its nature keeps track with inflation, as it is not a fixed sum.

Reversionary legacy – enable your specified family or friends to retain your estate for their lifetime, before passing it on to the Academy.

Pecuniary legacy – make a monetary gift of a fixed sum (which could be indexed to RPI to sustain its value over time).

Specific legacy – give assets such as property or shares.

The British Academy is a registered charity; as a result any gift to the Academy is tax free, and may reduce the tax burden on your estate. Charitable gifts totalling at least 10% of the taxable portion of your estate may qualify your estate for a 10% tax break.

We recommend taking legal advice in writing your will to avoid unforeseen complications. The Academy offers a number of free services you may wish to use when planning what to do with your estate.

The Academy offers a free will-writing service through its partnership with Farewill. Farewill offers a remote telephone and online will-writing service and advice from specialists in wills and probate.

You can make your will online or if you prefer to speak to someone over the phone, you can request a call back.

The Academy is also a member of the National Free Wills Network, through which we offer a free simple will writing service using local solicitors. If you would like to use this service please complete this referral form or send your name and address (including postcode) to Jennifer Hawton, Individual Giving and Legacy Manager at [email protected].

With each of these services there is no obligation to include the Academy in your will, though we naturally hope you will consider doing so.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Hawton – 0207 969 5258.

The British Academy is a registered charity, number: 233176.