“My father’s work has continued long after he passed away. By leaving a legacy to Practical Action, yours can too.”
Nicola Schumacher
As someone who shares my father’s vision, I know you want to leave the world in a better place than you find it. By visiting this website, you may be considering doing something truly special.
If you do leave a legacy to Practical Action, you’ll be laying the foundations of a future free from poverty for poor women, men and children around the world.
You’ll find out here why legacies are so important as well as how to remember Practical Action in your will. If you can, please help – every legacy Practical Action receives can help people living in poverty face the challenges of the future with greater confidence.
Nicola Schumacher
How to leave a gift to Practical Action
Pass on the Power of Possibility (PDF 1.23 MB)
A practical guide to making or changing your will
from Practical Action
Questions?
Please check our frequently asked questions below, or speak to our Senior Legacy Officer, Liz Webb via email: [email protected]
Or call us on 01926 634484
In 2020/2021, gifts in wills made up £3.7 million of our income ensuring lasting change in the communities we work with around the world
“I believe a legacy should reflect something about our lives, from the people we have cherished, to the interests we have pursued and the experiences we have valued during our lifetime. That’s why I have chosen to include Practical Action in my will.”
Retired Consultant General and Vascular Surgeon Clive Quick has been a supporter of Practical Action for over 40 years.
In this video, Clive explains what inspired his decision to include a gift in his will.
Our promise to you
A gift in your will to Practical Action is a promise of a world that works better for everyone. It is a promise that together we will help people find solutions to the world’s toughest problems, so people in poverty can thrive, not just survive.
We understand that when you leave a gift to us you are making a special commitment. Here is our promise to you:
-
Your loved ones come first – we respect and understand that.
-
We are always here to answer any questions you may have, honestly and quickly.
-
We care and will handle your legacy gift with sensitivity.
-
Every single gift will change lives – we will use your gift wisely and effectively.
-
We are discreet and your privacy is important to us – any information you share with us will be treated in confidence.
-
Frequently Asked Questions
Why make a will?
A will gives you and your loved ones the certainty that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes. It can also avoid entitlement disputes. Including a gift to a qualifying charity can also lead to tax advantages. But as everyone is different you should seek professional advice on the advantages available to you.
Is it expensive to make a will?
It costs around £150 for a single will, or £200 for two mirror wills* (where a couple’s wills mirror each other in providing for the surviving partner after death) *as of October 2018
I want to provide for my family first.
We agree with you. We’d never want to take priority over your family and we encourage you to make sure your loved ones are provided for first, before leaving a gift to your chosen charity.
Do I need to use a solicitor?
You don’t have to use a solicitor, but as a will is a legally binding document it needs to comply with existing statutes and common law. A solicitor is trained to advise you on this and ensure compliance. Remember, if you do choose to do it yourself and your will is deemed invalid, your assets will be distributed by rules governed by UK law.
I already have a will, can I add anything to it to leave a gift to your charity?
Yes. A ‘codicil’ is a legally binding document that is used to make small changes to an existing will. Again it is best to instruct a solicitor to prepare and advise upon its contents and then (most importantly) to properly execute the document.
How long does all this take?
The whole process usually takes around 10-14 days. You’ll start by spending an hour with a solicitor, explaining your wishes. They will then send you a draft will in the post to approve. Once approved, you’ll be sent a copy of the final document to be signed with witnesses.
Do I need to tell you that I have left you a gift in my will?
You don’t have to, but it gives us an opportunity to thank you for your amazing support and keep you up to date with will news, and invite you to regional events to meet front-line staff.
What part do Practical Action play?
Every legacy we receive is a special gift and is often the supporters largest and most heartfelt gift, we recognise this and our legacy promise highlights our commitment to you and your family.
How will you use my Legacy gift?
We promise to use your gift wisely and effectively. Any gift left to us in a will, which is not subject to any restrictions regarding its use, will be allocated to our work around the world and will make a lasting difference, helping us put ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.
What happens if I change my mind?
Don’t worry, if you change your mind the easiest thing to do is write a new will that revokes all previous wills. You can revoke specific sections but you’ll need to seek legal advice on your available options before you do.
What about inheritance tax?
The good news is that gifts to charity in your will do not incur inheritance tax. However, there is also an additional advantage – if you leave at least 10% of your taxable estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate on everything else is reduced from 40% to 36%, which will mean other beneficiaries could also receive more.
What types of gifts can I leave in my will and which would the charity benefit most from?
There are three different types of gift that you can choose to leave:
- a specific amount of money.
- a proportion of your net estate after family have been provided for and following the deduction of estate costs, taxes and pecuniary gifts.
- a certain item of property.
At Practical Action we welcome all gifts, each one ensures our work to help poor men, women and children build a life free from poverty.
Can you offer any advice for executors?
If you are an executor for the estate of someone who has left a gift to Practical Action in their will, please get in touch with Liz on 01926 634484 or [email protected] who will be able to advise you on what to do next, such as how to make payment.
Where can I find out more about your work and finances?
Take a look at our Annual Report to find out more about what we have achieved in the last year.
-
Talk to us about leaving your gift
If you’d like to talk to us, please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.