How to ask for a legacy.

In a lifetime individuals are able to accumulate wealth that may not be available to spend during their lifetime. It is also one of the easiest ways to give as it is done after the one is dead. However it would be naive to think that Charities have legacies left to them without any work on their part. Even the larger more wellknown Charities will have legacy strategies and some of the larger Charities rely heavily on legacy donations.

This fact sheet looks at requesting legacies by actual face to face visits.

1. You need a team of volunteers who have already left legacies to your charity and who are prepared to go and visit on your behalf.

2. Each individual needs to know about the organisation:-

    The history of the organisation
    What services the organisation provides
    Who benefits
    How much is needed for those benefits
    Where the money is used
    Why the organisation is unique
    And the individuals PERSONAL reasons for giving to the organisation

3. Information on the Person you are going to visit

    Before visiting you need to know about the individual you are visiting e.g.
        Past involvement in the organisation
        What they think about the organisation
        Any events they have been to
        Anyone they may have met within the organisation

Remember that even if this person is a stranger there is something in common - the organisation.

4. Know about leaving a Legacy

    Ideally have a brochure you can go through which explains different legacy options
    An explanation on how you can amend you will.
    A pledge card which they can fill in, if they wish, to inform the Charity that they have left a legacy
    A Living Legator 'club' (see other fact sheet).

5. Phone for an appointment.

FACE TO FACE VISIT

It is true to say that the first visit is often rather nerve racking however remember the following:-

1. These people are usually givers to the organsation already and therefore are interested in what the organisation is doing.

2. They are people who have agreed to the visit.

3. They know what the visit is about.

SUGGESTED BRIEFING

1. Get to the point. Explain that you are visiting on behalf of the organisation to tell the story and talk a bit more about the future of the organisation and what a leaving a legacy would achieve and what legacies have achieved to date.

2. Tell the person you are also a legator and why.

3. Be prepared to answer questions and you should have a Question and Answers Sheet.

4. Ask for the person to leave a legacy.

AFTER THE VISIT

1. Report on your visit to the organisation with any notes.

2. If there were any questions raised that you could not answer make sure they are answered promptly.

3. Say thank you and ensure that if the organisation continues to keep the 'living legators' involved as Wills can be changed!

.
NOTE: The team who are asking are NOT to offer any legal advice or get involved in the helping the individual in writing their will etc. The individual is there to tell the story, leave the brochure will all the details and tell the individual why they have left a legacy themselves.

Other fact sheets in Bequests/Legacies
Fact sheet index

Email a question

Copyright of Alba Fundraising Ltd or the individuals or companies who contribute to this website. This material may be copied and distributed freely on the understanding that no profit is made from doing so.

Disclaimer: No payment is received from suppliers, companies or individuals for publishing their details on this website. The information is offered by those in the fundraising arena and whilst we try to make every effort to ensure the integrity of this information, Alba Fundraising Ltd cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies, or any loss or inconvenience that may be caused by using this site.

home | resources | fact sheets | services
site map | download the site
Alba Fundraising Ltd.
Tel: 44 (0) 7775868768, Email: alba@alba-lewis.demon.co.uk
Web: www.professionalfundraiser.org.uk

Web site design by Vivid Interactive.