Get started planning your legacy

get started planning your legacy

Writing your Will helps to make sure that your loved ones and the causes close to you are remembered. Your gift to IFAW, whether small or large, will be used to rescue and protect animals around the world. Around a third of all donations we receive come from gifts in Wills. They ensure our animal saving work can continue for years to come.

Having an up-to-date Will gives you peace of mind, knowing that your affairs and plans for the future are taken care of.

If you’d like more information, get your free Gifts in Wills guide.

Benefits of leaving a gift to IFAW in your Will

Your gift could provide tax savings.
It costs you nothing now.
You can amend your Will at any time.
You will be remembered as someone who included a legacy to help rescue and protect animals.

Decide how you want to give

Give a percentage of your estate
You can designate that a specific percentage of your estate, calculated after all bills and taxes have been paid, is left to IFAW. This “residuary gift” is a popular and effective way to leave a legacy. Even 1% of your estate can make a big impact for animals around the world.

Give a cash gift
You can define a specific sum of money that you’d like to leave to IFAW. A “pecuniary gift”, no matter how much, lets you continue being part of IFAW’s vital and urgent work.

Give a specific gift
You also have the option to donate non-monetary gifts, such as property, land or stocks. In this case, IFAW aims to maximise the value of your gift so that you can make the biggest possible impact on our work.

Wording and legal information

Writing your Will can be a relatively straight forward process, depending on the complexity of your situation. It doesn’t have to cost you anything either. Please take a look at our Free Will writing services.

To include a gift in your Will to IFAW, you’ll need this important information:

Legal name: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
Registered charity number: 1024806
Registered address: International Fund for Animal Welfare, Second Floor, 209-215 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NL

Suggested Wording

You can get started with suggested wording and make adjustments depending on the type of gift you'd like to give.

“I give a …% of the residue of my estate to International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Second Floor, 209-215 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NL, Registered Charity Number 1024806 to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.”

Or
“I give free of tax to International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Second Floor, 209-215 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NL, Registered Charity Number 1024806, the sum of £… (words and figures) to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.”

If you are carrying out the wishes of someone’s estate as a solicitor or an executor, and this includes a gift to IFAW, please contact our friendly team.

Life insurance

If you have a life insurance policy, you can name IFAW as the primary beneficiary or as a contingent beneficiary should your other beneficiaries not survive you.

It is a simple and straightforward thing to do. As with a gift in a Will, you can specify a percentage to give as a gift. Please check the terms and conditions with your insurer.

You’ll need to include this information:

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please do get in touch. Our team cannot offer legal advice but we would love to discuss the difference a gift in your Will or insurance policy will make. Email legacies@IFAW.org or give us a call on 020 7587 6700.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it important to have a Will?

Having an up to date Will is the only way that you can be assured that everything you own goes to your loved ones and the causes you care about. If you don’t have a Will upon your death, you will die intestate and your estate will be handed over to the government to decide how it will be distributed.

Should everybody have a Will?

If you think you don’t have much to leave so don’t feel the need to write a Will, then think again! Wills are not just for the rich and famous and so no matter how much or how little you own, it is still worth getting your Will written to make sure that what you own goes to who you want it to. We provide a Free Will Service which can help with the cost of a Will, as well as making the process as simple as possible.

Am I too young to have a Will?

Wills aren’t just for older people and it is something that many adults should consider as soon as they enter into a marriage, buy a house, have children, or own any valuable assets. So no matter how old you are, if you have any assets or dependants, it is a great idea to get your affairs in order with a Will.

Should I leave a gift in my Will or donate now instead?

We are so grateful for any type of donation we receive at whatever time suits you best. However, Gifts in Wills are incredibly powerful in helping us to plan ahead for the future. It is also a great way for your support to continue even after you’ve gone, showing your commitment to animal welfare for years to come.

Let us know your intentions

If you decide to pledge a gift in your Will, you’ll join forces with like-minded people around the globe.

We recognise supporters who have made this special commitment by inviting them to join our Legacy Society. As a valued member of this society, you’ll receive invitations to events and receive reports on IFAW‘s efforts to end animal suffering around the world.

We’d love to hear from you if you have decided to remember IFAW in your Will. Simply drop us an email or complete our contact form. We would love to be able to thank you for your kindness and foresight.

get your free Gifts in Wills guide

Other ways to get involved

legacy giving

mail-in donation form

gifts in Wills guide

get started planning your legacy

Our work can’t get done without you. Please give what you can to help animals thrive.

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