A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of your assets after you have passed away. Many people choose to write a will when there has been a significant life change such as marriage, becoming a parent, retiring, etc.

Within your will, you may choose to leave a donation to a charity and this is known as legacy giving. Your legacy is important. It speaks of what you stood for in life and what impact you want to have in the future.

We are a life-saving and life-changing charity with a long-standing reputation and a determination to keep working for young people as long as they need us. We are committed to supporting young people now and in the future. You may already have a personal connection to us and our community as an LGBT+ person or as an ally; your support sends a strong message of inclusion for LGBT+ people, helping those who often don’t have a voice, as well as those who are marginalised and oppressed. Your help tells them that you see them, that you care.

As an organisation we have stood the test of time. We have been supporting people since the 1980s and have plans in place to continue supporting people going forwards. We take care to ensure we think through our spending and work out the best ways to make a difference.

You can read about the impact of our work over the last year by exploring Our Year in Numbers.

When will you write your will? 

• Writing your will may take a lot of consideration and you may have to contact a solicitor to ensure it is formally witnessed and signed to make it legally valid. Because of this, people often put off writing their will for years. You may want to set yourself a date to write your will so that you get it done. If you don’t have a will, other people will decide what happens with your assets and their decisions may or may not respect your wishes.

What would you like to put in your will?

• For example, you may wish to donate a fixed amount or a percentage of your estate. We would recommend you speak to your solicitor or a financial advisor about what would make the most sense in your circumstances.
• If you would like to include us in your will, you just need to include our name, The Proud Trust, along with our charity number: 1161102. Please include whether you would be happy for us to publicly acknowledge your legacy as a way to remember your contribution or whether you would prefer that we keep it confidential.

Have you told your family about your will and your legacy giving? 

• You may want to share with your family or will executors of your intention to leave a legacy. You don’t need to tell them, but if you feel comfortable doing so then it might save people’s surprise or any bad feelings in the future.

Are you happy to let us know? 

• You do not need to tell us if we have been included in your will, however, if you do choose to reach out, we can update you about our work and invite you to events. We will never pester you, but we can include you, it’s up to you how much interaction you want with us.
• You may also want to tell us if you think your family might be resistant to the donation. This way we can help ensure your donation reaches us.