# Wootton George survey reveals barriers to legacy fundraising

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/10/18/wootton-george-survey-reveals-barriers-legacy-fundraising/
- Published: 2010-10-18T10:22:57+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Wootton George Consulting, the strategy and fundraising consultancy, has released
its survey findings on the barriers that prevent more charities from raising funds
from legacies.

52 UK charities completed the survey in August and September 2010. Wootton George
found that the key barriers were:

1) Lack of knowledge about legacy fundraising (20%);

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2) Lack of internal capacity (16%), and

3) A short term fundraising focus (14%).

When asked what it would take for their charities to be more proactive in this area,
the responses were

1) More staff capacity (24%);

2) A more strategic approach (22%);

3) More knowledge about legacy fundraising (20).

Of the sample which completed the survey, 75% of the charities already received 
legacies, either regularly or at least occasionally. However, only 43% of the sample
was active in seeking legacies, showing that 32% benefited from legacy donations
without even seeking them.

The survey’s author, Simon George, said: “The findings were very revealing in a 
number of ways. We had expected to see more prominence given to a lack of strategic
focus and short term thinking, especially in a recession, perhaps coupled with a
lack of appreciation of the legacy potential among trustees. However, we found that
the main issues preventing more charities being proactive about legacies were a 
lack of knowledge combined with a lack of staff capacity.

“The findings point to a need for more education and training on legacy fundraising
in the sector, together with the need for charities to dedicate more staff time 
to legacy work, either by relinquishing other activities or investing in additional
capacity.”

A free copy of the full report is available upon request from Simon George.

www.wgconsulting.co.uk

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