Each legacy gift received by Queen’s has a story to tell and is a tribute to the life and memory of the person who gave it. Legacy gifts look both to the past and the future; recognising the impact of Queen’s on a person’s life, whilst giving to support the next generations of students. We are grateful for every legacy gift received and together, these deeply personal gifts have transformed Queen’s over the centuries.
Recent legacy gifts – their impact and importance to Queen’s
The late Russell Lawson (Jurisprudence, 1962) left a gift for the Tony Honoré Scholarship in Law, helping Benedict Stanley (above), achieve his BCL.
Last year three Old Members left a total of £26,000 in their wills for the area of greatest need at Queen's.
Recent gifts to the Library were used to purchase books and manuscripts, and to support the Library's Digitisation Project.
A legacy gift from the late Ralph Ellis (Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 1955) was used to help transform the Porters' Lodge.
How do I leave a gift in my will to Queen’s?
A legacy, bequest or planned gift is a charitable donation that just about anyone can make, wherever you live in the world. Leaving a legacy gift to Queen’s is easy to do and you can make a gift of any size. Some people leave a percentage of their estate and others give a specified sum of money.
We always advise speaking to a legal adviser before drafting a new will, updating an existing one, or making other plans for your estate, so that your will meets your needs, supports your family and loved ones, and takes advantage of any tax benefits available to you.
The Queen’s College is a charity (1142553) and so legacy gifts are exempt from UK Inheritance Tax. Leaving a gift in your will may also offer the opportunity to reduce the tax due on your estate. In the UK if more than 10% of your net estate is given to charity, the overall tax rate is reduced from 40% to 36%.
What do I need to include in my will?
Here is sample wording for including Queen’s in your will:
‘I give __________ (the whole, an amount or a percentage share) of my estate to the Provost and Scholars of The Queen’s College in the University of Oxford to be used for _______________, and I declare that the receipt of the Provost or other duly authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my Executors.’
When writing your will, please check the accuracy of any percentages used to calculate residuary gifts. It is also good practice to appoint more than one executor.
The purpose of your gift
Most gifts in wills are given for ‘the general charitable purposes’ of the College. This means that the College will use the gift for the area of greatest need such as the cost of student accommodation, supporting the tutorial system or maintaining our historic buildings and facilities.
You can also leave a gift for a specific purpose or for a particular fundraising priority. If you would like to leave a gift to support an area of College life that is particularly important to you, please let us know so that we can ensure that we are able to accommodate your wishes.
Can I add a legacy gift to an existing will?
If you have already made a will, you can add a gift to Queen’s by including a simple codicil. Please contact us for an example document.
How do I join the Taberdars’ Society?
The Taberdars’ Society honours the generosity of those who intend to leave a gift to Queen’s in their wills. Our annual luncheon, and other events, give members the opportunity to meet old and new friends, and to learn about the latest developments at College. If you are leaving a gift in your will to Queen’s, we would be delighted to hear from you. We look forward to welcoming you as a member of the Taberdars’ Society!
Every legacy gift is an investment in the future of Queen’s and the next generation of students and researchers. We are most grateful.
Dr Claire Craig, The Provost
If you would like more information about leaving a gift in your will or would like to discuss your legacy giving, please contact our Legacy Giving Officer, Catherine House, by phone (+44 (0)1865 279218) or email: catherine.house@queens.ox.ac.uk.
