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.

Published by Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford, the report shows that legacy income reached an estimated £4.4 billion in 2025. While this represents a modest easing from the exceptional £4.6 billion peak recorded in 2024, the market performed significantly better than many expected.

Following the clearance of the probate backlog by HM Courts & Tribunals Service last year, a slowdown in estate administration and a corresponding fall in legacy income had been widely expected. Instead, probate volumes remained robust, charitable estates held close to record levels, and average gift values remained high.

Alongside this short-term performance, the report highlights factors that are expected to shape the outlook for legacy income in the years ahead, including demographic change, evolving charitable giving patterns and emerging policy developments. These influences suggest that while the market remains strong today, future performance will be shaped by a more complex and changing environment.

A resilient market

Charitable estates totalled 44,000 in 2025, making it the second highest year on record. An estimated 104,000 charitable bequests were made, while average gift values reached £44,000 overall. Residual gifts averaged £98,000 and pecuniary gifts £6,100.

For many organisations, gifts in wills continue to play an increasingly important role in funding long term impact. Among the top 1,000 legacy supported charities, legacy income now accounts for around 30% of all fundraised income, with even higher reliance in some sectors.

Health charities remain the largest recipients of legacy income, accounting for 34% of all legacy giving, while the South East, South West and London together represent 44% of the market.

Alongside analysis of current performance, the report also points to strong long term growth potential. Legacy income is forecast to reach £5 billion by 2029 and could grow to £10 billion annually by 2046, driven in part by demographic change and the transfer of wealth from the Baby Boomer generation.

The medium-term outlook remains positive, with steady growth forecast over the next decade. But the report also makes clear that future growth cannot be assumed.

Looking beyond today’s income

While today’s legacy income reflects decisions made many years ago, the gifts charities receive in future decades will depend on the relationships they are building with supporters now. The decisions that will shape legacy income in the 2030s and beyond are already being made today.

At the same time, participation in charitable giving is declining overall, particularly among younger generations. This shift presents a significant long-term challenge for the sector, particularly as legacy giving is built through sustained engagement and relationships developed over many years.

The report highlights the importance of taking a longer-term view of supporter engagement and fundraising strategy. Organisations that invest in insight, strengthen supporter connections and adapt to changing behaviours will be best placed to realise the full potential of legacy giving in the years ahead.

Understanding future legators

A key focus of this year’s report is understanding who today’s legators are, and how their behaviours and motivations are changing over time.

The analysis explores how demographic shifts, changing attitudes towards charitable giving and the growing trend for earlier will writing are reshaping the legacy landscape. As legacy decisions increasingly happen earlier in life, charities have a greater opportunity to build meaningful, long-term relationships with supporters.

At the same time, the findings reinforce the importance of understanding how supporter motivations are evolving. Building lasting relationships that translate into long term support through gifts in wills will become increasingly important as charities look to protect future income.

The importance of acting now

Alongside changing donor behaviour, the report highlights several external factors likely to shape the market in the coming years. Planned inheritance tax changes and pension reforms are expected to increase estate complexity and may slow the flow of legacy income in the short term.

Against this backdrop, the report positions insight, stewardship and long-term planning as increasingly important tools for charities seeking to protect future income.

More broadly, the findings reinforce the unique role legacy giving plays within the sector. At a time when many income streams remain under pressure, gifts in wills continue to offer both stability and the opportunity for long term growth.

The challenge for charities now is how they respond.

Organisations that invest in supporter relationships, strengthen stewardship and use insight to adapt to changing behaviours will be best placed to grow future legacy income. Those that fail to engage future generations risk weakening one of the sector’s most dependable forms of funding over time.

The message running through this year’s report is clear. Legacy giving remains resilient, but resilience alone is not enough. Protecting the future of the market will require sustained investment, strategic focus and action today.

Download the your copy of the Legacy Giving Report 2026 today.