Clear Vision: How Charities Can Get Legacy Income on Track

A Fresh Start for Legacy Giving


With the year well underway, now is the moment for charities to pause, reflect, and plan ahead. It’s a chance to look back at what worked last year, identify where improvements can be made, and set the foundations for lasting success.


This is especially true for legacy income. Unlike regular donations, legacy gifts are rarely quick decisions - they’re deeply personal, transformational commitments that often require years of careful stewardship.


That’s why now is the time to put strategies in place that bring structure, confidence, and clarity. With the right approach, charities can grow a healthy pipeline for the year ahead, ensuring no opportunity is missed and every supporter feels valued.


Clean Data, Thriving Relationships


Legacy giving is built on trust, and trust depends on accuracy. Surveys suggest that legacies can make up anywhere from 10% to 60% of a charity’s voluntary income. That’s a huge proportion, and it shows just how transformational these gifts can be.


That’s why clean data matters so much here. Outdated records don’t just mean missed mailings - they mean missed opportunities to nurture relationships with the very supporters who might one day choose to leave a legacy. Without accurate data, charities risk losing touch with this critical donor segment at the exact moment when connection matters most.


Clean data ensures charities know exactly who their supporters are, how they’ve engaged, and where they are in their journey. It’s not just about tidy spreadsheets - it’s about making sure every supporter feels recognised and connected. When data is clean, charities thrive because relationships thrive.


Integration and Visibility: One Source of Truth


Legacy income touches fundraising, finance, supporter care, and marketing. Without a central system, data gets scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and CRMs - making it hard to see the full picture.


A legacy management system brings everything together. With seamless integration into key CRM platforms, charities can ensure supporter records, financial data, and stewardship notes are all aligned. No duplication, no gaps - just one source of truth that everyone can rely on.


And when it comes to notifications, integration with services like Smee & Ford is critical. These alerts about new legacy gifts or potential income flow directly into the system, giving charities immediate visibility into what’s in the pipeline. That means faster follow‑up, clearer forecasting, and the confidence to plan.


This clarity transforms legacy giving from reactive to strategic, helping charities steward relationships, manage income, and build trust with supporters at every stage.


Front of Mind: Marketing That Cultivates Legacies


Charities are experiencing a major shift in how supporters want to connect. Today’s audiences expect communication to be digital‑first and mobile‑first - interactions that feel personal, transparent, and effortless. Social media is powerful 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 trusted.


Traditionally, mobile messaging has been limited to quick text‑to‑donate campaigns or event reminders. But imagine if that same channel could nurture long‑term relationships, build trust, and spark legacy pledges. That’s where RCS  (Rich Communication Services) comes in.


RCS is the first major upgrade to mobile messaging in two decades. Unlike SMS, it offers a richer, more interactive experience - secure, modern, and designed to feel genuinely helpful. For charities, this means the ability to stay front of mind with supporters, using the very channels they already rely on every day.


By combining clean data with RCS‑powered outreach, charities can ensure their cause is remembered when supporters make one of life’s most meaningful decisions.


Efficiency and Confidence


Legacy gifts involve sensitive information, legal processes, and long timelines. A management system streamlines workflows, automates reminders, and ensures compliance. This saves staff time, reduces risk, and allows teams to focus on what matters most: building relationships with care.


Conclusion: Turning Intent Into Impact


Legacy giving isn’t just about managing income - it’s about honouring the intent of supporters and turning it into lasting impact. Momentum is building in 2026, making it the perfect time to get ahead: to clean your data, connect your systems, and embrace modern channels that keep you front of mind.


With the right legacy management approach, charities don’t just track gifts - they build trust, deepen relationships, and secure the future of their mission.


If you’re ready to move from good intentions to measurable impact, get in touch with our team. We’ll help you put the structure, clarity, and human touch in place to make legacy income simple, strategic, and successful.

RCS for Business Data Cleansing

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