--- title: Leave a gift in your Will date: 2026-07-28T11:42:00+01:00 author: Mani Bae canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will" section: Pages --- --- # Leave a gift in your Will ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_1008x567_crop_center-center_82_none/WJ-150725-76-Jemma-and-Deziah-Squire-Small_0331b6714dcff962c2aa98f23b4fa369.webp?v=1785842267) ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_895x503_crop_center-center_82_none/Will-guide-image.jpg?v=1785757520) ## Get your free guide Imagine a world where everyone is part of a loving community. A world where people are valued and connected, and their needs are met. Get your free guide to writing a Will. Start your journey today. [ Claim your free guide ](https://cuf.org.uk/request-a-will-form) ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/logos/_895x503_crop_center-center_82_none/Free-wills-logo-small.png?v=1789724431) ## Get your free Will today Securing your future doesn’t require a complex strategy. Find out more about how you can have a simple Will written and paid for by CUF. [ Find out more ](https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/write-your-will-for-free) ## Why everyone needs a Will Peace of mind for you and the people you love. At CUF, we understand that providing for your family is your top priority. A Will is much more than a legal document, it’s the only way to ensure your final wishes are respected and your loved ones are fully protected. - Protect your family: secure the financial future of your partner, children, or dependents. - Appoint trusted guardians: decide exactly who would care for your children if you no longer could. - Pass on family heirlooms: ensure your most treasured personal belongings go to the right people. - Avoid unnecessary stress: spare your grieving family from complex legal hurdles and delays. ## Understanding changes to Inheritance Tax Recent updates to UK tax policy mean that more estates may now face Inheritance Tax. With rising house prices and the inclusion of unused pension pots within taxable estates, forward planning is more crucial than ever. Leaving a gift in your Will to a registered charity is a highly effective way to protect your estate and reduce your family’s tax burden: - 100% tax-free giving: any gift you leave to a registered charity like CUF is completely exempt from Inheritance Tax. - Lower your overall tax rate: if you leave 10% or more of your total taxable estate to charity, the UK government cuts the Inheritance Tax rate on the rest of your estate from 40% down to 36%. Please note: Inheritance Tax rules are complex and individual circumstances vary. We recommend seeking independent legal and financial advice, as a range of factors can affect how Inheritance Tax applies to your estate. ## Our commitment to you If you choose to leave a gift to CUF in your Will, we promise to honour your wishes with the utmost respect, sensitivity, and integrity. 1. 1 Your loved ones always come firstWe fully understand and encourage you to provide for your family and friends before considering a gift to charity. 2. 2 Absolute confidentialityAny information you share with us will be treated with the highest level of privacy and discretion. 3. 3 Your choice to shareDeciding to leave a gift in your Will is entirely personal. You’re under no obligation to inform us, but if you do, it gives us a wonderful opportunity to thank you and understand the values that connect you to our work. 4. 4 Creating a lasting legacyWe promise to use your future gift with the utmost care, turning your generosity into meaningful, lasting change for the local communities we work alongside. 5. 5 Complete flexibilityWe recognise that personal circumstances can change, and you retain the absolute right to alter or update your Will at any time. ## The difference a gift in your Will can make Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful way to help ensure our work can continue, as we never know what the future will bring. We are told to love our neighbours and lift up the most vulnerable, and a gift in your Will is a way of ensuring this. Gifts in Wills account for approximately one-third of our income, meaning we wouldn’t be able to achieve as much without the support of legacy donors. By leaving us a gift, no matter the size, you help your faith reach forward and shape future communities. It’s a gift of love and compassion to people who need the most help. It will be your lasting legacy of hope, compassion, and community transformation. ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_280x158_crop_center-center_82_none/John-and-Elaine-Chilvers.cropped.jpg?v=1786455267) **JOHN’S LEGACY** “Dad volunteered with the church as a statistician towards the end of his career,” says John’s son, David. ​“It took him around the country and he saw deprivation up close. It changed him. He made a journey of discovery. In fact, he wrote at the time: Love must respond to what it sees.” When John died in 2023, aged 98, CUF was one of the charities to benefit from his (and his wife Elaine’s) generosity. ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_280x498_crop_center-center_82_none/Alison.cropped.jpg?v=1786455221) **ALISON’S PLEDGE** Alison, a Church Urban Fund trustee has pledged a gift in her Will. “I can’t give a huge amount now, but including CUF within my charity beneficiaries is my way to keep supporting a cause that’s important to me.“ CUF is about making the church strong. Showing God’s love in action. Empowering Christians to get involved in their communities. That’s vital today – when communities are splintered – and it will be even more important in the future.” We would be honoured if you could let us know if you have chosen to, or have already left us a gift, so we have the opportunity to thank you. Please contact Kelly using the email address below, or call 0203 7525655 email hidden; JavaScript is required Copy email address ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_895x503_crop_center-center_82_none/WJ-CUF-110326-91.jpg?v=1788784650) ## Giving in memory Find out more about giving in memory [ Giving in memory ](https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/giving-in-memory) ## Our charity contact details Legacy giving is a big decision, and you might need further information. We’ve answered some common questions in our FAQs below, but if you still need help, you can contact us using the details below. **Please note that we cannot give any legal advice.** - Call us: 0203 752 5655 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays) email hidden; JavaScript is required Copy email address ## Executor information If you’re administering an estate where Church Urban Fund has kindly been left a gift, please contact Kelly on our legacies team using the details below, and she’ll provide support and guidance, along with our paying-in details. To make things a little easier while you’re navigating the administration of an estate as well as grieving for your loved one, we’ve produced an [Executors Advice Sheet](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/Executors-Advice-sheet-2024.pdf?v=1786447590) highlighting the main tasks you’ll need to complete. - Phone: 0203 752 5655 - Post: Kelly Jones, Church Urban Fund, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR email hidden; JavaScript is required Copy email address ## Frequently Asked Questions How much will it cost? The average cost of having a Will written starts from around £150. That’s why we offer to cover the cost of a simple Will written through the National Free Wills Network. Why leave a gift to CUF? A gift in your Will to CUF allows us to continue helping churches and community groups meet the needs around them, and create strong and loving communities. It also lets us tackle complex challenges like poverty and exclusion across England. Your gift can transform communities across England and sustain our vital work for the next 40 years, without costing you anything today. Can I specify an area of work to support? It’s not advisable to leave a gift to a specific aspect of our work, because if it no longer exists by the time your Will is realised, Church Urban Fund won’t be able to accept the money. An unrestricted, or general, gift allows us to allocate the funds where they’re most needed. What type of gift can I leave? The three main types of gift are: - Residuary: a percentage or share of what remains of your estate after other gifts and debts have been paid. This is often the most impactful way to give, as the value won’t be affected by inflation. - Pecuniary: a fixed sum of money. - Specific: a specific item such as jewellery, property, shares or stocks. I don’t have a lot of money. Should I still write a Will? Yes, absolutely. Writing a Will isn’t just about what you own, it’s a way to pass on your values. We’re deeply grateful for every gift. Even a small percentage of your estate can help fund our vital work for the next 40 years. When small gifts come together, they build a powerful foundation that protects our communities for generations. Leaving a gift in your Will allows you to make a transformational impact that costs you nothing today, but means the world tomorrow. What information do I need to include CUF in my Will? If you choose to include Church Urban Fund in your Will, you’ll need to give your solicitor our charity name, number and official registered address to ensure the gift reaches us correctly. If you already have a Will and want to add us, your solicitor can advise on the best way to do this. 1. Registered name (as listed on the Charity Commission website): Church Urban Fund 2. Registered address: The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR 3. Charity number: 297483 I already have a Will, should I get it updated? Consider amending your Will when you experience key life events, such as marriage or civil partnership, divorce, or the birth of children or grandchildren. You should also consider it if a beneficiary or executor dies, if your wishes about who receives your assets change, or if you change your mind about your charitable giving intentions. This should be done through a solicitor, since it’s not advisable to make changes yourself, as small mistakes can invalidate a Will. What if I want to change my mind later? Your Will should reflect your current wishes and life circumstances. It’s perfectly normal for things to change after you’ve made a Will, so it’s worth reviewing it regularly and updating it when they do. Will my gift be confidential? Church Urban Fund will handle your details with the utmost professionalism and care. Your will and personal information will always remain completely confidential. I want to tell you I’ve left a gift. Who do I need to contact? We understand your Will is a very personal document, and we greatly appreciate you wanting to share this with us, as it lets us thank you personally, plan for the future with more confidence, and welcome you to our Faith in the Future community, a special community for those who’ve chosen to support us through a Will gift. If you’d like to share your story and reasons for choosing CUF, please contact Kelly, we’d love to hear from you, and with your permission, sharing your story can inspire others to consider supporting our work in future. email hidden; JavaScript is required Copy email address Can CUF act as an executor? CUF can’t act as an executor of your Will, as we don’t have the Trust Corporation Status needed to do so. We’d recommend appointing someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend. Will my gift to CUF be subject to tax? Any gift you leave to a registered charity like CUF is completely exempt from Inheritance Tax, meaning we’ll receive the full amount. Can I leave gifts to more than one charity? Yes, you can, and in fact most people do just that. According to the [Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Report 2026](The%20Legacy%20Giving%20Report%202026%20-%20Smee%20and%20Ford%20and%20Legacy%20Futures.pdf), nearly two-thirds (62.9%) of charitable wills in the UK name more than one charity. Just provide your solicitor with the registered name, address and charity number for each organisation, along with the amount or percentage you wish to leave them. [ Write your Will for free ](https://cuf.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/write-your-will-for-free)