Remember A Charity has published a good practice guide to help wealth advisers discuss legacy giving with their clients.
Published this week, Integrating Charitable Legacies into Wealth Planning includes tools designed to help advisers speak to clients about gifts in wills, particularly in the context of estate planning, succession and long-term wealth strategies.
Lucinda Frostick, director of Remember A Charity, said: “Clients increasingly want their wealth to reflect who they are and the impact they wish to have on the world.
“This guide has been developed to support advisers in responding to that shift, helping them to feel more confident introducing conversations about philanthropy and legacy giving, and to integrate these discussions naturally within broader financial planning.”
In 2024, Remember A Charity set up a committee of wealth advisers to build expertise within the profession and to promote legacy giving.
Clare Stirzaker, who chairs the committee, said: “Legacy planning has always been a central part of private client work, but in recent years I have seen a marked shift in what clients are looking for from their advisers.
“The traditional, purely technical approach to philanthropy is no longer enough on its own. Increasingly, clients want something more holistic.
“They want advisers who can help them explore what matters to them, articulate the purpose of their wealth, and understand the impact they hope to have during their lifetime and beyond it.”
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) found last year that 86% of Britain’s high net-worth individuals donate to charities and 93% of those who discussed philanthropy with their adviser found the conversation beneficial.
Joe Crome, head of business development and American Donor Fund at CAF, said: “Although most donors consider philanthropy an important part of their lives, a significant proportion of charitable giving takes place without the involvement of a professional adviser.
“This is a missed opportunity – for greater impact, better alignment with personal values, and more thoughtful legacy planning.
“Being up to date on the options available and knowing where to signpost clients provides an opportunity for advisers to meet their wider needs and develop deeper client engagement.”
Total legacy income across the UK dipped to an estimated £4.4bn in 2025, from £4.6bn a year earlier, which Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford said showed a resilient market.
The new guide for wealth advisers was developed in collaboration with Boon Philanthropy Consultancy and Boodle Hatfield, and with input from industry experts.
