Leave a gift to charity in your will

Your will is more than just a legal document. As well as providing for your loved ones after you’re gone, it’s an opportunity to leave a tax-efficient charitable gift to causes you care about.

This is known as planned giving, and it’s vital so we can continue our work. By leaving money to charity, your kindness and generosity can have a positive impact on generations to come.

When making your will, we’d be delighted if you would consider leaving a gift to Sightsavers. Your legacy can change lives: read on to learn how.

Why leave a legacy to Sightsavers?

Since 1950, we’ve been giving our all to protect sight, battle debilitating diseases and uphold the rights of people with disabilities. We don’t always shout about it, but that’s because we’re busy getting the job done.

As a renowned international charity, we’re proud to be a leader in our field. With the support of our partners, we’ve restored the sight of more than 8 million people with cataracts, and have given out more than 1.5 billion doses of medication to protect people from diseases that can cause blindness and disability.

But we can’t do it alone. We rely on legacies from generous supporters such as you to ensure our work is able to continue, long into the future.

Together, we can create a future in which the diseases that cause sight loss are eliminated from whole communities. By leaving a gift to us in your will, think how many more lives could be transformed after you’re gone.

Why should I make a will?

Leaving a will can make a difficult time that much easier. Finalising the affairs of someone who has passed away without a will causes delays and complications. During this time, your loved ones will be unable to access the money you intended for them, and legal costs could reduce the value of your estate. Making a will also enables you to leave a bequest to other causes, such as Sightsavers.

How much does a will cost?

There is no standard cost for a will, but it is often less than you’d think, and money well spent to ensure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected from distress. You will also need to keep your will up to date as your circumstances and family situation can change over the years. Minor additions can be made using a document called a codicil, and this is also an easy way to leave a bequest to support a charity.

How do I know what to leave?

Once you have calculated your estate, you can draw up a list of people you wish to benefit, by how much and in what way. At this point, you may also consider leaving Sightsavers a share of the assets that are left over. A residuary gift is by far the most effective form of planned giving, as the value tends to adjust in line with inflation, meaning we receive the level of support you intended.