Legacy Gift

Making a gift in your will ensures that future generations of students will benefit from your legacy of kindness and your forethought.

Legacy gifts can be large or small, providing new opportunities and inspirations to students in your memory.

We are so proud of our students, the hurdles they overcome while they study with us and their drive and determination. We will do everything in our power to support their dreams and ambitions. The philanthropic support from our global family of alumni and friends means we can continue to invest in future generations of students from all backgrounds.

The Horizon Fund was launched in 2013, bringing together those who want to undertake charitable giving on any scale, with those students most in need of financial assistance.  However, development funds are not just targeted to those experiencing hardship . Equally important is the funding of opportunity awards for students from all backgrounds to advance their learning, seize new opportunities and achieve their ambitions.
By gifting to the Staffordshire University Horizon Fund in your Will, you can help ensure that students of tomorrow are able to further benefit from higher education with us and future generations of students will benefit from your legacy of kindness and forethought. .

If you would like to make provisions in your will for a gift to the University, please contact Deborah Sanderson d.k.sanderson@staffs.ac.uk or call 07766 520395


One example of leaving a legacy is Dr Ruth Thompson.

Dr Ruth Thompson gave an exemplary and remarkable contribution to higher education as a governor of Staffordshire university and throughout her 30-year career with the civil service. Acting as a mentor, and an inspiration, Ruth made a difference and continues to do so.

In an incredible act of kindness, Ruth left a substantial legacy gift in her willing, following her sad death due to cancer in 2016.

After consulting closely with Ruth’s husband, Sir David Bean, a number of scholarships have been created to reflect Ruth’s interest and passions:

• Travel

• Inclusion and access

• Quality of teaching

In recognition of Ruth’s kindness, a social learning space was created, representing her passion and interests whilst improving the technology and environment within the University.

Different ways of leaving your legacy:

You can gift to the Staffordshire University Horizon Fund in a number of ways through your will.

Whilst several of these are explained below, we recommend that you speak to a solicitor to discuss the approach that is most appropriate for you.

Residuary Legacy

• Allows you to gift all or a percentage of your estate after providing for other beneficiaries and/or liabilities

• Particularly flexible as you do not have to specify a monetary amount

• Removes the worry of inflation reducing the value of a fixed amount

Monetary (Pecuniary) Legacy

• Allows you to gift a fixed amount

• A simple and straightforward way of giving

• Can be index-linked, to keep in line with inflation

Reversionary Legacy

• Allows you to provide for a beneficiary during their lifetime. Upon their death, the remaining amount, or a percentage, goes to the Horizon Fund

Conditional Legacy

• Allows for the fact that you may outlive your named beneficiaries

• Enables you to ensure that if this happens, part or all of your estate is left to the Horizon Fund

Specific Legacy

• Allows you to gift specific items

• Examples include property, art, jewellery, or stocks and shares

We appreciate that gifting to us in your will – whether you are a member of our alumni community, a parent of a student, or from our wider circle of friends – is a hugely important decision for you to make.

Please contact the Development office for a confidential discussion about the kind of legacy you would like to gift, and how you wish it to be used.


FAQs

What is a will and why do I need one?

A will is a document instructing on how you would like your estate to be divided or transferred when you pass away. Your estate, or assets are classified as everything that you own, including property, savings, investments, pensions, and even objects. Without a will, your estate may go to the Government, however with a will you are able to determine where your estate if left. Your estate can be divided between different individuals (i.e., family, friends), or even a percentage towards a charity. If you would like to make a will, please talk to your solicitor to discuss your wishes.
Please contact your solicitor for more information.

I already have a will, can I update it?

Yes - if you already have a Will in place, you may be able to make simple changes, such as gifting to the Staffordshire University Horizon Fund, by using a legal document called a codicil. Your solicitor should be able to advise whether or not your Will can be changed in this way, or if you need to draft a new will.

Will Staffordshire University create the will?

No – whilst we can provide support on what your gift will be used for within your will, we are unable to write or update your will and advise you contact a solicitor.

If you or your solicitor would like suggested wording for your legacy gift to Staffordshire University, we are able to provide wording based on your legacy wishes.

Can I be anonymous?

We understand that you may wish to remain anonymous and not let us know in advance about your intention to leave a gift in your Will.

If that is not the case, however, we would love to have the opportunity of meeting you and thanking you for your generosity. We would also like to stay in touch by providing you with regular updates on how donations like yours have and will transform transformed students’ lives through sending you a copy of our Impact Report and to keep you up-to-date with news, events and exciting developments at the University by sending you a copy of our Horizon magazine.

Can I leave a gift in someone else’s memory?

Yes – often known as a gift in memory. Losing someone close to you is always difficult and can create a feeling of loss, a gift in memory is a heartfelt way to celebrate their life by making a positive impact on future generations in their name.

If this is something you would like to consider or require further information, please get in touch and we can set up a gift in memory that memorializes your loved one.

Can my estate benefit?

Depending on your individual circumstances, it may be possible to reduce the tax liability on your overall estate by making Staffordshire University a beneficiary of your Will.

This is because you can make gifts to certain people and organisations without having to pay any inheritance tax. (Assuming your estate is above the threshold where inheritance tax would be due.)

As a Higher Education Corporation, Staffordshire University is listed as an exempt charity under Schedule 2 to the Charities Act 1993. Charity exemption number XN80928.

This means for its charitable activities, the University benefits from the status of a charity and is exempt from paying tax on any gifts of money or property that you choose to make.

This also means that without the burden of inheritance tax – and with no tax to pay on the University’s part – the gift you make could be more generous than you imagined possible

Can a legacy gift be gift aided?

No – as a legacy is paid out of capital rather than income, a legacy gift cannot qualify for gift aid.

I still have questions.

Please contact developmentoffice@staffs.ac.uk - we will be happy to answer any and all queries you may have.