A FirstClass approach to bequest management

It's been nearly 3 decades since we first launched our bequest (Gifts in Wills) management software FirstClass, which was designed by charities for charities to improve the bequest administration processes, optimise their income, and help them to build the profile of their charity brand for future legacies.


Over that period of time, we’ve become very familiar with bequest gifting and everything delivering effective bequest management strategies entails, as well as maximising bequest giving as a form of income.


But what is bequest giving, why is it important, and how can charities benefit from having a bequest management system in place?

 

A brief overview


Bequest income is booming, with recent research showing a 43% increase in Gifts in Wills in the last decade. In fact, it has been on an upward trajectory for as long as FirstClass has been in this arena. There is a considerable opportunity to be found, with legacy income predicted to measure up at an estimated £3.9bn a year from 2022-27.

 

Why is bequest giving important?


Co Op Legal Services reports that only 6% of people leave a gift to a charity in their will, however 35% of those aged over 40 would be happy to do so, which suggests that that there appears to be a huge – and potentially untapped – market when it comes to bequest gifting.


Having worked alongside charities for many years, we know that there are many who work exceptionally hard to ensure that their bequest pipeline is not only firmly in place, but also well-managed. Once a charity has built a bequest profile and is receiving Gifts in Wills, here are five key points to consider when implementing a bequest management solution.

 

 

1. Collecting & Storing information

 

There is an incredible amount of data that is collected during an administering process including financial, biographical, communications and timeline data. All of this data needs to be organised and accessible in structured logical format. The consequences of this are that process can be cumbersome, time consuming and ineffective which could lead to a loss bequest income.

 

2. Accessibility & Security

 

There is a lot of sensitive information included when administering a bequest, therefore the system should be governed with different levels of access to ensure the right people can access and update the information they need when and where they need it.  

 

3. Processing & Updating records

 

Bequest gifting can be complicated. There are generally multiple people within a charity inputting and progressing a case, all of which needs to be logged in order to provide a true and chronological picture. And then there’s communication from external parties, such as solicitors, which also needs to be recorded. With a bequest management platform, all contact history can be instantly accessed and updated. Not only that, but you can also add permissions so that only those who need to access what might be sensitive information can do so.

 

4. Balance the books

 

With bequest management software, you can record a giftor’s individual assets, cash, property and investments alongside draft and final estate accounts. By storing everything in one place, you’re able to maintain full visibility of anything and everything that your organisation is due. With FirstClass, we’ve created an Estate Valuation tool which allows you to do just that. We’ve also incorporated an inheritance tax calculator, which provides users with enough detail to leverage the amount of tax that can be reclaimed from HMRC.

 

5. Reporting

 

Whether you need to analyse market trends for gifting, establish what level of organisational spending and investment your bequest programme will support for the forthcoming year, or simply need a true and accurate bequest income report for that all important board meeting, good bequest management software will allow you to do just that in a matter of minutes.

 

Thinking about maximising your organisation’s bequest gifting programme? Interested in speaking with the market leader in bequest management software? Contact the FirstClass team of specialists.

ILM 2026: What we’re most excited about this year

By Fiona Paton • March 25, 2026
We’re officially counting down to the ILM Annual Conference on 8 May at 133 Houndsditch, London. It’s always one of the best days in the legacy calendar - a chance to reconnect in person with friends and colleagues across the sector, soak up engaging speaker sessions, spark new ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening in legacies at the ILM Awards. What's New The FirstClass team will be on hand to share the latest on how FirstClass is evolving, with the launch of the first iteration of FirstClass 5 Essentials coming very soon. We’ll also be unveiling a couple of new services we’re delighted to introduce, including Data Cleansing and RCS Business Messaging - the natural successor to SMS. Data Cleansing For charities and non‑profits, supporter data is the backbone of effective legacy giving. Yet while nearly half of organisations want to use insights to improve services, more than half are held back by CRM challenges. Poor‑quality data can have serious consequences - from losing touch with potential legacy supporters to missing opportunities for deeper engagement, and even risking compliance issues. That’s where our Data Cleansing service comes in. We help charities restore confidence in their supporter information by improving the quality of addresses, emails, and phone numbers. The result is cleaner, compliant, and more reliable data that strengthens legacy communications and ensures every supporter feels valued and connected. RCS Business Messaging Charities are experiencing a major shift. Supporters now expect digital‑first, mobile‑first communication - they want interactions that feel personal, transparent, and effortless. Social media is great for sharing impact stories, but when it comes to deeper, more meaningful conversations, like inspiring someone to leave a gift in their Will, charities need something more powerful and more trusted. RCS delivers on‑brand, secure, and interactive messages straight to the place that matters most - your supporters’ phones. Unlike SMS, RCS allows content‑rich, multimedia, and interactive messaging, helping charities build stronger, more personal connections with legacy supporters. And the results speak for themselves: up to three times higher engagement than SMS, read rates of 60–80%, and adoption by hundreds of leading brands. RCS is redefining how charities nurture relationships and inspire legacy giving. ILM Awards As always, a big highlight of the conference is celebrating excellence across the legacy sector, and we’re looking forward to cheering on all the ILM members who’ve been nominated. Good luck to all the nominees - we’re excited to celebrate your achievements and hear about the great work happening across the sector. Make sure to drop by on the day to hear how FirstClass is now delivering even more for its clients, and in the meantime, you can view the complete list of speakers and topics for the day at the ILM Annual Conference website .

Open Conversations. Shared Solutions.

By Fiona Paton • March 25, 2026
At FirstClass, we’ve always believed our product should grow with the charities and non-profits who use it. Your input has shaped the way we build, and now we want to take that collaboration one step further. Monthly Check-in Calls We’re introducing monthly check‑in calls - an open forum where you can drop in, chat with the team and other customers, and explore anything to do with the product. No agenda, no pressure. Just space for conversation, questions, and shared ideas. These sessions give you the chance to: Share your priorities and help shape how we address different aspects of the system Stay informed on technical updates, including external systems like SQL or Outlook What’s new across our Team, billing, and the wider company See functionality demonstrated live - if you’re unsure how something works, we’ll show you Updates on features and fixes in the latest releases Ask questions on any part of the system Whether you join for five minutes or stay for the full hour, this is your space to connect with us. It’s a chance to explore challenges together, share experiences, and help shape a product that truly works for charities. We’ll host these sessions monthly on Microsoft Teams, giving you regular opportunities to drop in and join the conversation. Join our team for open, honest discussions that help us learn, improve, and grow alongside you.

Legacy Giving: Where Donors Leave Their Mark

By Fiona Paton • January 30, 2026
Most people assume gifts in wills go mainly to hospitals or animal charities. But legacy giving is evolving - from climate action to cultural preservation, donors are reshaping where their final gifts go. And with the biggest wealth transfer in history already underway, the question isn’t if charities will benefit, but which ones will capture the imagination of a new generation of donors. The Main Sectors for Legacy Gifts Health & Medical Research : Personal or family experiences with illness inspire gifts to hospitals, hospices, and research foundations. Animal Welfare : Emotional bonds with pets and wildlife make animal charities a natural choice. Humanitarian Aid : Donors who care about poverty, hunger, and inequality often leave legacies to international aid organisations. Faith‑Based Causes : Religious traditions encourage charitable giving as part of a spiritual legacy. Education : Universities, schools, and scholarship funds benefit from donors who want to give future generations opportunities. Community & Social Services : Local charities supporting homelessness, youth, or food banks benefit from donors who want to strengthen their communities. Emerging Growth Areas Environmental Charities : With climate change high on the agenda, more donors are leaving gifts to conservation and sustainability causes. Arts & Heritage : Museums, galleries, theatres, and cultural trusts are seeing increased support as donors seek to preserve culture and history for future generations. Younger Donors and the Great Wealth Transfer A major shift is underway. Millennials and Gen Z are beginning to shape the future of legacy giving, and their priorities look different from those of older generations. Younger donors tend to support: Environmental and climate action - sustainability and conservation are top of mind. Social justice and equality - causes that drive systemic change resonate strongly. Community impact - grassroots and local charities that deliver visible results. Arts and culture - inclusive cultural spaces and heritage preservation are gaining traction. This shift is amplified by the Great Wealth Transfer: an estimated $84–124 trillion will pass from Baby Boomers to younger generations and charities over the next two decades. This is not just financial - it represents a cultural change in philanthropy. Younger donors expect transparency, digital engagement, and clear evidence of impact. Digital Engagement: Meeting Younger Donors Where They Are For younger generations, digital isn’t optional - it’s the default. Communicating with them means using the channels they already live on, and that includes mobile messaging . It’s quick, it’s simple, and your message lands directly in their hands. Charities that embrace mobile‑first communication alongside email, social, and digital campaigns will build stronger connections with younger supporters and keep legacy conversations relevant. Why Donors Choose These Causes Legacy giving is rarely about short‑term impact. Donors want to leave something that endures - whether it’s funding medical breakthroughs, protecting animals, preserving heritage, or tackling global challenges. These gifts reflect identity, values, and lived experiences, ensuring that a supporter’s passion continues long after they’re gone. Data Accuracy: The Foundation of Legacy Giving Regardless of who or what supporters choose to leave their legacy to, without the right details, it all becomes pointless . Poor‑quality data can mean missed opportunities or even lost supporters. Clean, validated data ensures that legacies are honoured, communications reach the right people, and charities can act with confidence. Conclusion Health and animal welfare charities may dominate legacy giving today, but the landscape is shifting. Environmental and cultural causes are gaining momentum, and younger generations are bringing new priorities to the table. With the Great Wealth Transfer already underway, charities that invest in legacy marketing now - building trust, demonstrating impact, engaging digitally (especially through mobile messaging), and ensuring data accuracy - will secure not just income, but a lasting place in the hearts of future supporters. From legacy management to data cleansing and mobile messaging, we help charities handle every legacy with confidence. Want to know how FirstClass can support your organisation? Contact our team to find out more