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A gift in a will could fund your church's next chapter

15 June 2026 by
A gift in a will could fund your church's next chapter
CPAS


They just need to know it's possible, that it's welcome and that it really will make a difference.


Legacies are one of the fastest-growing sources of income in the charity sector. Across the UK, gifts in wills now generate around £4 billion for good causes every year, a figure that has grown consistently for decades and shows no sign of slowing. With the ‘baby boomer’ generation entering its peak estate-planning years and property values having risen dramatically over the past generation, the potential for legacy income has never been greater.  


And yet only around 6% of the population currently include a charity in their will.  This is a remarkable gap between intention and action. The potential for further growth is enormous.  For churches, this represents a genuine and largely untapped  opportunity.  


Gifts in wills change lives 

 

At CPAS, we see the impact directly: legacy gifts now account for around 10% of our total income. Over the last five years, gifts in wills have funded many initiatives, including: 


500 subsidised Falcon places

Subsidised places for children enabled hundreds facing challenging home circumstances to attend a Falcon holiday, where many have their first encounter with Jesus. Legacy income covered 92% of the cost of each place.

246 fully funded Venture places

Full bursaries ensured no young person was turned away from a Venture holiday because of cost.

50 patronage appointments

Appointed 50 carefully selected evangelical clergy to Church of England parishes, ensuring congregations in vacancy received mission-minded leaders.

2,000+ church leaders trained annually

Half the cost of every training event, webinar and resource was covered by legacy income including Arrow, Thrive, and one-day events equipping leaders for evangelism and mission.

This is the power of a gift in a will.

The same is true for your church. Congregants who have worshipped with you for decades, whose children were baptised at your font, who came to faith in your community - many of them would love to do something lasting for the community that has meant so much to them. They just need to know it's possible, that it's welcome and that it really will make a difference.

Of course, in Britain we’re not always comfortable talking about money — and asking others to consider their will can feel like a step too far. But a great thing about legacy giving, is that it doesn’t cost a penny in their lifetime. It’s a way of making a huge impact without affecting your circumstances now, or removing options you might need in the future.

The tips below are a starting point for how to begin that conversation.


5 Ways to Get Started with Legacy Fundraising


1. Start with the vision

People don't leave gifts in their wills to balance future budgets. They leave them because they love what the church stands for and want that work to continue long after they're gone. To encourage legacy giving, paint a picture of what your church will do in future. A compelling vision is the foundation of any legacy programme.  Be ready to tell that story.

2. Mention it regularly and without embarrassment

The biggest reason people don't include their church or a charity in their will is simple: they were never asked. Legacy giving doesn't require a big campaign launch. It can be a line in a newsletter, a note in a service sheet, or a sentence from the front on Remembrance Sunday. The key is frequency and normalisation. Think of it as a gentle, ongoing conversation. For clergy, this might also include weaving legacy giving into sermons or teaching on stewardship as part of a broader Christian understanding of giving.

3. Celebrate your legacy givers (with permission)

Nothing is more persuasive than hearing from someone like yourself. If any of your congregation have already included the church in their will, ask if they'd be willing to share why.  This could be a few words at a service, or a short paragraph in your magazine about why they’ve chosen to do so. One or two authentic voices can inspire many others.

4. Explain the options and make it easy

Many people assume legacy giving is complicated or will shortchange their family. In reality, adding a charity to a will can be straightforward and donors can choose between a fixed sum, a specific item, or a share of their estate. Tell your congregation that they don’t need to choose between a cause they feel strongly about and their family.  Both can be mentioned in their will. For anyone wanting to understand the practicalities, we have a brochure that explains the options in a straightforward way. You can get a copy on this from www.cpas.org.uk/donate.

5. Think long-term and don't be discouraged

It can take ten to fifteen years between someone writing their will and a gift being received. But that's exactly why starting sooner matters. Every conversation you have now, every mention of legacy giving in your communications, is planting a seed.


So, what is one next step you could take this month to open up the conversation about legacy giving with your congregation?


Support

For more information on legacy giving, or to discuss making a gift to CPAS, contact Martin Kavanagh - mkavanagh@cpas.org.uk - 07794 865773

* All figures from audited CPAS Annual Reports 2021–2025. 
Legacy income allocation is illustrative.

Written by Clare McIntosh