Advice

How to include the RSPB in your will

If you're thinking of leaving the RSPB a gift in your will and have some questions, this page is for you.

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If you can't find the answer to your question on this page, please get in touch.

Important note

Simple errors in wording can create confusion and delay in carrying out people's wishes. This is why we strongly recommend you use a solicitor to prepare your will.

It's important that the RSPB's name, address and registered charity number are written correctly into a will.

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I would like to leave a gift to the RSPB in my will. What wording should be used?

The following is suggested wordings for you to share with the solicitor who is preparing your will.

A gift of a share of the estate (a residuary gift):

'I give to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654, of The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, (hereinafter called the RSPB) the residue (or % share of the residue) of my estate absolutely and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of the RSPB and (ii) a receipt signed by a person for the time being authorised by the Council of the RSPB shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors.'

A fixed sum (a pecuniary gift):

'I give to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654, of The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, (hereinafter called the RSPB) the sum of £_______ and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of the RSPB and (ii) a receipt signed by a person for the time being authorised by the Council of the RSPB shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors.'

If the suggested wording doesn’t meet your needs, please contact the Legacy Marketing team on 01767 669700 or email legacy.team@rspb.org.uk.

What is the RSPB's postal address and its charity number?

The address of our headquarters is:

The RSPB
The Lodge,
Sandy,
Bedfordshire,
SG19 2DL

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 

How important is a will?

It's so important to make a legal note of what you wish to happen with your estate after death. Not leaving a will can lead to lengthy and expensive complications, and can add additional stress to grieving family members and friends during an already difficult time. By making a will, you'll help make sure there's clarity for your loved ones. 

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When should I write a will?

If you haven't already done so, it’s a good idea to write a will as soon as possible. If you already have a will, you should review it regularly, especially when your personal circumstances change. For example, if you get married or divorced, you have new children or grandchildren, or you move house.

Can I write my own will?

You can, but we strongly recommend that you hire a solicitor to do the work. One tiny error can invalidate the entire will, so a 'do it yourself' version may cause more trouble than it's worth. 

What are the tax advantages of leaving money to charity?

Legacies to registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax. In certain circumstances, especially with larger estates, a charitable bequest can be a way to avoid the payment of inheritance tax on some or all of your estate. We strongly recommend consulting a financial adviser about your individual circumstances.

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Why is it suggested that I inform the RSPB of my intention to remember them in my Will?

Gifts in wills make up about a third of our total income, so having an idea of the number of gifts we are likely to receive in the years ahead can help shape our plans.

We also like to acknowledge the kind gesture and, as a thank you for letting us know, we will send you our coffee table book, which showcases the work that gifts in wills make possible, both in the UK and around the world.

I would like donations at my funeral in lieu of flowers (apart from family flowers) to be used for the benefit of birds and wildlife. How do I make sure that this happens?

We are very grateful for donations made to the RSPB instead of floral tributes. If this is stated in your will, the executors can make sure that your wishes are known.

The following wording will ensure your wishes are met:

'I request my executor to ensure that instead of flowers at my funeral, donations are made to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654, of The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL.'

If you have any queries on the wording, please contact the In Memory team at Inmemory@rspb.org.uk. Further information on how family and friends can make In Memoriam gifts can be found in the In Memoriam section of the website.

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Your estate is everything that you own, including your house, money and any life insurance policies that will be paid on your death.

A Specific legacy is the gift of a specific item or asset such as shares or jewellery.

A Pecuniary legacy is a fixed sum of money. It is worth bearing in mind that inflation can reduce the value of pecuniary legacies over time, so it is worth reviewing your will on a regular basis, whether or not your circumstances change.

A Residuary legacy is a gift of all or part of your net estate (what remains after all taxes, specific gifts and the cost of administering the estate have been paid). This type of legacy should be expressed as a percentage or share of your estate.

Executors are the people chosen by you to carry out the instructions contained in your will.

Is it possible to appoint the RSPB as executor of my will?

In certain circumstances, the RSPB may consider acting as executor of your will, to discuss the full terms and conditions with a Legacy Adviser, call 01767 669700.

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Request a booklet

Find out more about leaving a gift in your will to the RSPB by downloading our free ‘Gifts in Wills’ guide.

Download Booklet

Information for executors & solicitors

If you’re an executor of a will, or solicitor handling an estate, click here to get in contact with our Legacy Administration team.

Find Out More

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