Leaving a gift in your Will to Somerset Community Foundation is a wonderful way to make a lasting difference in your community. We know it can be difficult to choose which charities to support, which is why many donors choose to give through the Foundation to a wide range of local good causes.
Many of our donors have been passionate about supporting good causes in Somerset for many years, and want their support to continue after they pass away. For others, leaving a gift to charity in their Will may be the first opportunity they have had to make a significant contribution to a cause or a community they care deeply about.
We offer a range of options for donors to achieve their wishes:
- Supporting Somerset: By naming Somerset Community Foundation as a beneficiary in a Will, funds can be used across the county to support a range of good causes and respond to urgent need.
- Creating a Named Fund: Larger gifts can be used to establish a Named Fund at Somerset Community Foundation which acts much like a charitable trust. For example, a bequest of £50,000 can be used to create a permanent fund, held in our endowment, which will be carefully invested. The income from the fund will then be given away in grants each year in line with your wishes.
- Supporting an existing fund: we have more than 80 existing funds supporting a range of local communities and themes, such as youth projects and mental health. You may wish to leave a gift in you Will to an existing fund that fits well with your interests.
If you would like to have a confidential call or visit to learn more about leaving a gift in your Will to Somerset Community Foundation, please contact Laura Blake, Development Director, on 01749 344949 or email Laura Blake.
We always recommend that you seek professional advice from a solicitor before writing or amending your Will. If including a gift to support Somerset in your Will, you will need to provide your solicitor with our contact details:
Somerset Community Foundation, Yeoman House, The Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN. Registered Charity no 1094446.
A note about Inheritance Tax
Charitable gifts are exempt from inheritance tax and could help reduce the total amount of tax paid on your estate. Anyone leaving at least 10% of their estate in their will to charity benefits from an effective reduction in inheritance tax from 40% to 36%.
Memorial Funds
Our staff can help you set up a Memorial Fund to remember a loved one, providing family and friends with a personal focus for special memories, which is both tax-efficient and easy to administer. This type of fund can be set up quickly, in just a matter of days, and you can raise funds and collect donations for depositing and holding in the fund.