Remember A Charity Week: leaving a gift that lasts
From 7 to 13 September 2026, Pavilion Row is supporting Remember A Charity Week, joining charities and professional advisers across the UK to raise awareness of gifts in Wills.
For many people, making a Will is first and foremost about looking after family and friends. Once those closest to them have been provided for, they may also wish to remember a charity or cause that has played an important part in their life.
Supporting a cause that matters to you
A gift in a Will can help a charity continue its work long into the future. These gifts provide vital funding for charities of all sizes and, collectively, make a significant difference to people and communities across the UK.
The decision is a personal one. Some people choose to support a charity that has helped them or someone close to them. Others want to contribute to a cause that reflects their experiences, interests or values.
Whatever the reason, a Will provides an opportunity to look after the people who matter to you while also leaving something to a cause you care about.
Charitable giving and Inheritance Tax
There can also be Inheritance Tax (IHT) benefits when a gift is left to charity.
Gifts to qualifying charities are generally exempt from IHT. If at least 10% of the relevant net estate is left to charity, the rate of IHT applying to the qualifying part of the estate may reduce from 40% to 36%.
In some circumstances, this can mean that increasing a charitable gift has less effect on the amount received by other beneficiaries than might be expected. For example, someone already planning to leave 4% of their relevant net estate to charity may, in a straightforward case, be able to increase the gift to 10% without reducing the amount passing to their other beneficiaries.
The calculation is not always simple and the outcome will depend on the individual estate. It is therefore important to take advice before deciding how a charitable gift should be structured.
Why reviewing your plans matters
Inheritance Tax thresholds remain frozen and changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief took effect in April 2026. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will also be included within a person’s estate for IHT purposes.
These changes mean more people may need to consider IHT when reviewing their Wills and wider financial arrangements, including some who have not previously expected their estate to be liable.
Tax should not be the main reason for supporting a charity. However, where someone already wishes to leave a gift, understanding the tax position can help them make a properly informed decision.
Making sure your wishes are carried out
A charitable gift needs to be recorded clearly in your Will. This includes identifying the correct charity and explaining what should happen if it changes its name, merges with another organisation or no longer exists when the gift becomes payable.
If you decide to leave a gift to charity, we can ensure your Will clearly reflects your wishes. If you have a financial adviser, we can also work alongside them so that your Will supports your wider financial planning.
Remember A Charity Week offers a useful prompt to ask:
Once you have looked after your family and friends, are there any charities or causes you would also like to support?
If you would like to review your Will or discuss leaving a gift to charity, please contact the Pavilion Row team. We will listen to what you want to achieve and explain the next steps clearly.
Find out more about Remember A Charity Week.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. The tax treatment of an estate will depend on individual circumstances and the rules in force at the relevant time.
