Over the past decade, the award has helped nurture talent, strengthen professional development and open doors for 24 people working in charity legacy administration throughout the UK and across a wide range of cause areas, reflecting the diversity of the sector. More than that, it has carried forward the values and vision of the man whose name it proudly bears.
The bursary was established in 2017 by Legacy Link, now Legacy Futures, to honour Crispin Ellison following his retirement after an extraordinary career spanning more than 40 years in the charity legacy sector.
Crispin was widely respected as one of the leading figures in legacy management and administration. At a time when legacy administration was still emerging as a specialist profession, he championed the importance of training, collaboration and professional standards.
As a founding member and later Lifetime President of the Institute of Legacy Management (ILM), Crispin played a central role in helping shape the sector we know today. His work encouraged charities, solicitors and legacy professionals to share expertise, raise standards and recognise the complex skills required to manage gifts in wills effectively and compassionately.
The award was created not simply to recognise his contribution, but to continue it.
Since its launch, the Crispin Ellison Bursary Award has supported professionals at different stages of their careers, from those new to legacy administration to experienced practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise.
The bursary provides funding towards professional qualifications, training and development opportunities through the ILM. For many recipients, it has offered far more than financial support. It has provided confidence, community and the opportunity to build long term careers within the sector.
Over the years, bursary recipients have gone on to support charities of every size, including hospices, universities, conservation organisations and national charities. In doing so, they have helped ensure that supporters’ final wishes are handled with care, sensitivity and professionalism.
As the award reaches its 10th anniversary year, it stands as a lasting reflection of Crispin’s belief that legacy administration is both a profession, and a vocation.
Legacy gifts remain one of the most important sources of income for charities across the UK. Behind every gift is a supporter’s trust in an organisation and behind every successful legacy programme are skilled professionals who guide families, executors and charities through deeply personal moments.
The Crispin Ellison Bursary Award continues to invest in those people.
Over the past decade, the bursary has helped strengthen the sector by encouraging learning, raising standards and supporting the next generation of legacy professionals. Its impact can be seen not only in the careers it has shaped, but also in the confidence and professionalism that recipients bring back to their organisations.
Ten years on, the principles that inspired the bursary remain as important as ever. As the legacy sector continues to evolve, the need for skilled, compassionate and knowledgeable professionals continues to grow.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we also celebrate Crispin’s enduring influence on the sector and the many individuals whose careers have been supported through the award over the past decade. Their work continues his legacy, shaping better outcomes for charities and supporters every day.
Just six months into her role at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Sassy Holmes was delighted to receive the Crispin Ellison Bursary Award, recognising her early commitment to building a career in legacy fundraising and developing her professional skills.
"I felt incredibly proud to receive the bursary," says Sassy. "To be awarded it at the Legacy Giving Awards was incredible. Being in a room full of fantastic charity professionals doing such important work made me feel energised and excited to be part of the sector."
The bursary will support Sassy’s continued development, helping her build the expertise and confidence needed to manage increasingly complex legacy cases. She sees this as both personal growth and a way to strengthen Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s work protecting and restoring nature across the county.
"The training will be transformative for my professional development," she explains. "It will strengthen my technical expertise and decision-making, giving me greater assurance when managing complex cases. I'm also really excited to be learning again. As adults, we aren't always given those opportunities, so I feel very privileged to receive this award."
Looking ahead, Sassy is focused on developing her career into a leadership role within the sector. She hopes to become a recognised expert in legacy management and help Yorkshire Wildlife Trust strengthen its reputation for excellent supporter care and effective legacy administration.
"I want Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to be a lead beneficiary on legacy cases and known for excellent supporter care," she says. "I'm particularly motivated to develop creative marketing and programme strategies that help shape the future of legacy giving."
For Sassy, the bursary represents an investment in her future potential as a sector leader, giving her the foundation to grow in confidence, expertise and ambition.
For Becky Jedrzejewski, the Crispin Ellison Bursary Award provided a valuable opportunity to gain specialist training and confidence at a crucial stage in her legacy fundraising career. New to the sector, she saw it as a rare chance to access development that might otherwise have been out of reach.
"The award meant a lot to me, both personally and professionally," Becky explains. "Being new to the world of legacies, I felt a little out of my depth when it came to legacy administration, and the bursary gave me an opportunity at the start of my journey that may not have been possible for some years."
The bursary enabled Becky to complete the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration (CiCLA), giving her a strong foundation in specialist knowledge that she now applies directly in her role at Essex Wildlife Trust.
"The training has given me so much more confidence in my legacy administration work," she says. "It has also helped me feel more confident when advising pledgers and enquirers who are seeking guidance."
For Becky, the value of professional development extends beyond her own role. She sees it as essential to improving standards across the legacy sector and ensuring charities can make the most of gifts in wills while respecting donors’ intentions.
"Professional development opens up opportunities for learning and collaboration across the sector, strengthening our collective voice and helping us carry out the wishes of the kind individuals who leave gifts in their wills."
As the Crispin Ellison Bursary Award celebrates its 10th anniversary, Becky reflects on the lasting importance of the initiative and the legacy behind it, which continues to support learning and development across the sector.
"It clearly demonstrates the impact that one individual’s values and legacy can have. Whenever I’m studying or taking an exam, I’m reminded that it has been made possible by Crispin Ellison and the Legacy Futures team, and I find that really motivating. It’s a wonderful opportunity and I still feel very lucky to be a recipient."
What the shift in UK giving means for legacy fundraising
Read more
Legacy giving continues to provide a vital source of stability for charities across the UK, with the Legacy Giving Report 2026 revealing a market that remains resilient despite wider economic and fundraising pressures.
Read more
In de nalatenschappenwerving spreken we vaak over stewardship: het opbouwen van relaties, het faciliteren van informatie en het creëren van vertrouwen in de impact die dankzij nalatenschappen mogelijk wordt gemaakt.
Read more
