# Legacy bequest numbers grow 7%, according to latest consortium data

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/09/23/legacy-bequest-numbers-grow-7-according-to-latest-consortium-data/
- Published: 2024-09-23T13:00:40+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Annual charitable bequest numbers have grown by 7%, reaching 62,100 in the year
to June 2024, according to the latest data from Legacy Futures.**

The [Legacy Futures](https://www.legacyfutures.com/) quarterly Legacy Monitor compiles
data from its consortium of 81 UK charities, which represent almost half of the 
charity legacy market. 

Legacy Futures attributes the growth in bequests primarily to continuing improvements
in the probate process at HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which it says is continuing
to process more grants than applications, so reducing the backlog of cases. 

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#### Legacy income up +1%

Legacy income reported by the consortium members in the latest year to June 2024
was also up +1% on the previous year. 

Average gift values for residual gifts fell slightly by 2.5% to £64,400, linked 
to a cooling housing market, while pecuniary (fixed monetary) gift values remained
static as they have done for the past year.   

Ashley Rowthorn, CEO of Legacy Futures, said:

> “Looking ahead, the increase in bequests from probate and a more optimistic outlook
> on house prices lead us to expect the legacy market to remain resilient, with 
> modest growth through the rest of 2024.
>  
> “This is encouraging news for the charity sector, which has faced significant 
> challenges in recent years due to the cost-of-living crisis and delays in probate.
> The stability we’re seeing in the legacy giving forecast enables charities to 
> plan more confidently for the future, making decisions and laying out strategies
> with a degree of insight into how legacies are predicted to perform.”

 * **[New campaign from The Salvation Army aims to boost legacies to all charities](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/09/27/new-campaign-from-the-salvation-army-aims-to-boost-legacies-to-all-charities/)**(
   27 September 2024)
 * **[Potential solutions to legacy sector’s recruitment & retention issues examined in new report](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/10/07/potential-solutions-to-legacy-sectors-recruitment-retention-issues-examined-in-new-report/)**(
   7 October 2024)
 * **[Slow growth for legacy income but long-term outlook remains positive](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/20/slow-growth-for-legacy-income-but-long-term-outlook-remains-positive/)**(
   20 November 2024)