# Cancer Research UK, RNLI & Macmillan among biggest recipients of legacy income

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/09/10/cancer-research-uk-rnli-macmillan-among-biggest-recipients-of-legacy-income/
- Published: 2019-09-10T08:00:20+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Cancer Research UK, RNLI, and Macmillan Cancer Support received the most legacy
income in 2018/19 according to Smee & Ford data.**

[Smee & Ford](https://smeeandford.com)’s data reveals the top 25 UK charities for
legacy income. While these three charities came top, other charities receiving sizeable
donations included [BHF](https://www.bhf.org.uk), RSPCA, and Salvation Army.

On average, legacy income accounts for a third of a charity’s voluntary income, 
with £3 billion donated overall to charities last year through gifts in Wills. 2018
also saw the highest total ever of charities named in Wills, at 10,428.

## Advertisement

Legacy income has increased by 50% over the last 10 years. 

 

#### The top 25 charities for legacy income in 2018/19 (compared to 2017/18)

 * The Capricorn Fund (received one £435m donation) – £435.3m (N/A)
 * Cancer Research UK – £181.5m (£186.6m)
 * RNLI – £135.1m (£130.5m)
 * Macmillan Cancer Support – £84.5m (£76.7m)
 * British Heart Foundation – £83.4m (£73.3m)
 * RSPCA – £77m (£78.6m)
 * Salvation Army Trust – £63.6m (£50.4m)
 * The National Trust – £51.9m (£61.6m)
 * PDSA £45.7m (£45.1m)
 * Guide Dogs for the Blind Association £43.7m (£47.9m)
 * Royal National Institute of Blind People – £41.9m (£41.7m)
 * Dogs Trust – £34.9m (£30.3m)
 * Basil Latsen 1999 Charitable Trust – £34.7m (N/A)
 * Marie Curie Cancer Care – £34.4m (£33.2m)
 * Charities Aid Foundation – £33.5m (£23.8m)
 * Cats Protection – £31.5m (£30m)
 * The British Red Cross Society – £31.3m (£30.9m)
 * Honor Frost Charitable Trust – £30.4 m(N/A)
 * RSPB – £30.4m (£34.6m)
 * Age UK – £29.4m (£27.5m)
 * Great Ormond Street Hospital – £26.2m (£14.1m)
 * The Donkey Sanctuary – £23.3m (£24.8m)
 * The Royal British Legion – £21.6m (£20.3m)
 * NSPCC – £21.5m (£25m)
 * Leonard Cheshire Disability – £21.3m (£7.2m)

 

Rob Cope, Director of [Remember A Charity](https://www.rememberacharity.org.uk),
said:

>  “Over the last 10 years we’ve seen an incredible number of people choosing to
> leave a portion of their estate to their favourite charity in their Will, which
> is wonderful to see.
>  “That said, we are a very charitable nation so it’s surprising
> that just six in 100 people leave a gift in their will, and it would be amazing
> if we could see this number continue to rise. “Any gift – no matter how big or
> small – makes an enormous difference in helping charities to continue their incredible
> work, and what a wonderful way to ensure your legacy can live on after you’ve 
> gone.”

The tenth Remember A Charity Week takes place this week with a [nostalgic look at the 70s](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/09/05/matt-berry-atomic-london-go-back-to-the-70s-with-remember-a-charity-week-campaign/)
to tackle some of myths associated with leaving a legacy gift. This year’s campaign
from the 200-strong coalition of legacy charities sees a strategic change in focus
from raising awareness about legacies to building understanding and inspiring supporters
into taking action; writing a gift into their Will. 

![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader-
2x.gif)