Include a Gift in Your Will

Making a Will is the only way you can be sure that your wishes are understood. It is usually a quick, simple and inexpensive process that ensures that those you care about are well looked after.

If you already have a Will and are thinking about leaving a gift to Opportunity International, you can add a simple codicil (a short document that is added to your Will).

The best thing to do is to speak to your solicitor who will advise you on how to create or amend an existing Will.

The key information that your solicitor will need is that bequests should be left to Opportunity International UK.  They will need our registered charity numbers (UK number 1107713; Scotland number SC039692) and registered address:
Opportunity International UK, Angel Court, 81 St Clements, Oxford, OX4 1AW

In 2019, for every £1 donated, we spent 90p helping to provide acess to financial services and training to over 17.5 million clients across the world. The remaining 10p was used to help us raise more money. You can download our 2019 financial summary here.

You can either give a proportion of your estate, a percentage of your estate after all other gifts have been made and debts cleared, or a cash gift of a specified amount of money.

Your solicitor will advise on the specific wording you need to use for different types of gifts.

Any gifts to charity are exempt from Inheritance Tax.  In 2009, the government set the Inheritance Tax threshold at £325,000 (£650,000 for couples), above which Inheritance Tax is payable at the rate of 40%. If your estate is liable to attract Inheritance Tax, leaving a gift to charity can have the effect of reducing the overall tax burden on family and friends.

As a result of changes introduced in April 2012, Inheritance Tax can be reduced from 40% to 36% for donors who leave more than 10% of their net estate to charity. “Net” estate means the value of the estate after all Inheritance Tax exemptions, reliefs and the tax free allowance have been deducted.

In simple terms, if your estate is liable to Inheritance Tax then it is likely you will save £400 tax for every £1,000 you give.  But as always, please do seek professional advice specific to your financial situation.

For further information:

• HRMC website - about reducing your Inheritance Tax bill by giving to charity.
• HMRC’s Inheritance Tax reduced rate calculator - to calculate the potential inheritance tax reductions by leaving a legacy to charity.
• Speak to your solicitor who can advise on the positive effects of leaving a donation in your Will to the inheritance tax on your estate.

A Letter of Wishes is a document that accompanies your Will. It is not legally binding but can guide your executors and trustees to ensure your personal wishes are carried out.

You must take care that a Letter of Wishes does not contain anything that could conflict with the Will. The Letter can advise on anything (including gifts to charities) and should be written in plain English, signed and dated, but not witnessed to avoid any claim that it has become a legal Will or codicil.  As always, seek further advice from your solicitor.