Creating a lasting impact for generations ahead

What does legacy fundraising mean to your charity, and your beneficiaries or cause?

For the Canal & River Trust, legacy fundraising is all about looking after the future of the country’s waterways and making sure they continue to benefit people, nature and heritage for generations to come. Gifts in Wills are playing an increasingly important role in this, providing vital long-term funding to help us care for over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers - many of which are historic, ageing and increasingly costly to maintain.

For the people and communities we serve, legacy gifts help keep canals open, accessible and thriving. They support free, open spaces that boost wellbeing, protect wildlife habitats and preserve nationally important heritage - places where people can walk, boat, volunteer and connect with history and nature.

But more than that, they’re a deeply personal way for supporters to stay connected to the places they love - continuing their support and passion for the waterways long into the future. By leaving a gift in their Will, they’re helping to pass on the waterways to the next generation, ensuring that everything they value about these special places continues long after they’re gone.

Why are legacies so important for charities right now?

Legacies are becoming increasingly important for charities of all sizes. At the Canal & River Trust, we’re a relatively young charity and still growing our legacy programme, but we’re already seeing just how powerful gifts in Wills can be. Even at this stage, they’re funding an exciting range of projects across our waterways - from conservation and heritage to essential repairs.

What’s really encouraging is that this isn’t just true for us. Across the sector, more and more causes are being supported through gifts in Wills each year. It shows that the opportunity is there for every charity, whether large or small, to benefit from legacy giving.

At a time when many organisations are facing increasing pressure on funding, legacies offer something incredibly valuable: long-term, flexible income that can help charities plan ahead and respond to future challenges. Just as importantly, they reflect a growing public appetite to support the causes people care about in a lasting and meaningful way.

What work has been possible thanks to charitable legacies?

Every penny we receive from gifts in Wills goes directly towards work on the network, helping us care for over 2,000 miles of canals and rivers. Because of this, legacies play a vital role in keeping waterways open, accessible and thriving for people and nature.

We document the impact of this support each year in our Gifts in Wills Impact Report, which highlights the breadth of projects made possible thanks to legacy giving and the lasting difference these gifts make.

One recent example is at Ansty where gifts in Wills are helping us protect some of the UK’s most vulnerable wildlife while improving our waterways for people to enjoy. Legacy funding has supported work to strengthen canal banks that were prone to flooding - carefully designed so they also provide the perfect habitat for water voles, one of the UK’s fastest-declining mammals. By raising and reinforcing the banks, adding new towpaths, and creating wildlife-friendly planting, we’ve been able to benefit local communities, improve access for visitors, and support the recovery of water voles - all in one project! It’s a brilliant example of how gifts in Wills allow us to look after canals in a way that benefits both people and nature, now and into the future.

Has anything about legacy fundraising surprised you?

One of the biggest surprises has been just how rewarding legacy fundraising can be. It’s a unique area of fundraising where you’re often speaking with supporters who have a deep, personal connection to our waterways and heritage. Those conversations are incredibly meaningful and stay with you.

I’ve also found it really special to work with the families of our legators, helping to identify projects that would have truly resonated with their loved ones. There’s a real sense of responsibility, but also privilege, in making sure their legacy has a lasting impact that they would be proud of.

And on a more practical note, here at Canal & River Trust, the places my role has taken me have been extraordinary! We’ve held events on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, at the bottom of a drained lock, and, of course, out on canal boats. It’s a brilliant reminder of the unique environment we’re working to protect, and why legacy support is so important.

What’s one piece of advice would you give fellow fundraisers starting or growing their legacy programme?

Take inspiration from the brilliant work happening across the sector (much of which is showcased by Remember A Charity!) but don’t feel like you have to follow a set formula. There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to legacy fundraising.

Every charity is different, and that’s a strength. I think the most successful programmes are the ones that lean into what makes their organisation special and what their supporters already care deeply about.

So focus on what makes you stand out, and build your legacy programme around that. When it feels authentic, it’s much more likely to connect with supporters and inspire them to leave a gift.

Why do you think other charities should consider joining Remember A Charity?

It’s such an important campaign for charities to be part of. Encouraging more people to write a Will and consider leaving a charitable gift benefits the whole sector, not just individual organisations. With the average Will including gifts to multiple charities, even a single supporter inspired by the campaign can have a really wide-reaching impact.

Being part of Remember A Charity also means joining a genuinely friendly and supportive community that’s full of expertise. There’s a huge amount on offer - from webinars and practical resources to in-person events like the Legacy Festival, all of which are a fantastic opportunities to learn from others and hear about the innovative work happening across the sector.