What’s New, What’s Next: Introducing FirstClass 5 Essentials

We're excited to announce that we're set to unveil FirstClass 5 Essentials, the first phase of the latest generation of our award-winning platform, in a move that is expected to cement our position as the charity’s choice of legacy management technology.

 

Development on FirstClass 5 began in 2024 following significant investment from our parent company ClearCourse, and close collaboration with Paul Browne, Head of Legacy Administration at Legacy Link.

 

Now, as part of the first phase of the rollout, FirstClass 5 Essentials will replace FirstClass 4 Web as the company’s most accessible product, which is geared towards smaller charities looking to transition from manual legacy management to modern-day, automated processes.

 

Whilst the launch date of FirstClass 5 is yet to be confirmed, the unveiling of FirstClass 5 Essentials, which is scheduled for release before Christmas, will include new features not currently available in FirstClass 4 Web.

 

These include a multi-charity view, for users who manage legacies for different charities within a group structure, and the ability to manage multiple legacies per legator, such as where pecuniary and residuary gifts stem from the same legator. A new issues function, which allows users to address legal and contentious issues, is also included.

 

Hosted within the cloud to provide users with added security, FirstClass 5 Essentials is expected to radically modernise legacy case management via a much more accessible user interface, improved connectivity and integration capabilities with other systems such as Smee & Ford, and enhanced workflows that make the platform quicker to navigate and easier to use.


Rich Mullens, Product Director at FirstClass, comments:

"FirstClass is a legacy management platform that’s built for charities, by charities. Having worked in partnership with Legacy Link, which has provided invaluable feedback on what our users want, we’re confident that FirstClass 5 Essentials will appeal to smaller charities looking for an accessible way in which to modernise their legacy management function.


We’re excited about how FirstClass 5 Essentials will be received towards the end of this year and hugely grateful to Legacy Link for its ongoing collaboration and support."

Paul Browne, Head of Legacy Administration at Legacy Link, adds: 

"FirstClass 5 Essentials provides a glimpse into what FirstClass 5 will look and feel like when it’s fully developed and launched. The new user interface will be widely welcomed, as will the improved connectivity and opportunities for integration with other industry platforms. Given the amount of development that’s gone into FirstClass 5 to date,


I’m confident that on its release, the platform will further streamline legacy management for its broad range of charity users. In the meantime, FirstClass 5 Essentials will improve the efficiency and service levels for smaller charities that are ready to move away from manual methods of legacy management."

In partnership with the Institute of Legacy Management, and as part of FirstClass’s open and collaborative approach to evolving the platform in line with user requirements, FirstClass invites you to join a webinar on Tuesday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m., providing attendees with an exclusive preview of FirstClass 5 Essentials.

 

During the webinar, attendees will be able to experience a demonstration of the first iteration of the next generation of FirstClass 5, ask questions, and hear from FirstClass and Legacy Link about the platform’s development so far. Those wishing to attend the webinar can register via the link below. 


Join Webinar

Inspiring Legacies with RCS

By Fiona Paton • November 24, 2025
Charities are experiencing a major shift. Supporters now expect digital-first, mobile-first communication - they want to engage in ways 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. Traditionally, mobile messaging has been used for quick text-to-donate campaigns or sending reminders. But imagine if that same channel could nurture long-term relationships, build trust, and spark legacy pledges. That’s exactly where RCS (Rich Communication Services) can make a meaningful difference. RCS is the first major upgrade to mobile messaging in 20 years. It offers an enhanced, more interactive experience compared with SMS, giving charities a way to reach supporters with messages that feel modern, secure, and genuinely helpful. Here’s why RCS is so relevant for legacy fundraising: Secure & trusted: Your charity’s name and logo appear as a verified sender, giving supporters instant reassurance that your message is authentic. Connected & seamless: Messages land directly in supporters’ native messaging inboxes on Android and iOS — no apps to install and no additional steps. Engaging & interactive: You can add images, buttons, carousels, and track engagement in real time, making each message a richer opportunity to inspire and inform. For charities, this means you can reach warm, highly engaged audiences — those most likely to consider a gift in their Will — with content that feels personal, trustworthy, and uplifting. Instead of a plain text reminder, imagine sending a beautifully branded message containing a story of impact, a short video, or a simple button to learn more about pledging a legacy. It’s a small upgrade in channel, but a big step forward in supporter experience. Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for mobile messaging. And the timing couldn’t be better. Legacy giving in the UK reached £4.5 billion in 2024 , a 9 percent increase on the previous year, and forecasts show legacy income is set to more than double by 2050 as the Baby Boomer generation finalises its estate planning. The opportunity is significant — but only if charities adopt communication tools that match how supporters want to connect today. With over 600 UK brands already using RCS , and early adopters seeing up to three times more engagement than SMS , the question isn’t whether charities should embrace RCS. It’s why wait at all? Bring your messaging to life and get started with RCS today. Get in touch for a journey towards richer messaging, better engagement, and higher conversions

The Hidden Power of Legacy Income

By Fiona Paton • November 18, 2025
Imagine a supporter who believes in your mission so deeply that they decide to make it part of their legacy. Long after they’re gone, their gift continues to fuel your work, carrying forward their values and trust in your cause. That’s the hidden power of legacy income - it’s not just funding, it’s a lasting bond between donor and organisation, built on loyalty and commitment. Beyond Paperwork Legacy gifts are one of the most impactful and emotionally significant forms of giving. They represent trust, loyalty, and a donor’s lasting commitment to your cause. But with that trust comes responsibility, and complexity. Managing legacy income isn’t simply about tracking paperwork. It’s about honouring a donor’s final wishes while ensuring their gift makes the greatest possible impact. Yet, many charities still rely on outdated tools or manual processes to manage gifts in wills. The consequences? Delays in processing Missed opportunities to maximise value Unnecessary risks that can erode donor confidence Why a Dedicated Legacy Income System Matters A modern, dedicated system transforms the way organisations handle bequests: Structure → Clear processes using best practices that reduce confusion and errors Visibility → Transparency across teams, ensuring everyone knows the status of each gift Confidence → Reliable data that builds trust with donors, families, and stakeholders This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about safeguarding relationships and ensuring every legacy gift fulfils its intended purpose. Who Benefits? Whether you’re a charity, non‑profit, or higher education institution , getting smarter about how you manage legacy income is vital. With the right system in place, you can: Reduce administrative burden Protect against risk Unlock the full potential of legacy giving The Results of Smarter Legacy Income Management When charities and non‑profits adopt a dedicated legacy income system from FirstClass, the impact is clear: Faster processing & rapid access to records → Gifts are managed efficiently, reducing delays and ensuring funds reach the cause sooner. Income dashboards & financial reports → Real‑time visibility into pipeline, trends, and performance supports confident decision‑making. Customisable templates → Flexible tools that adapt to your processes, reducing admin and saving time. Contact records → Centralised donor and executor information strengthens relationships and ensures transparency. Reduced risk → Accurate records and structured processes protect against errors and safeguard donor trust. Seamless CRM integration → Works smoothly with key CRM partners, ensuring data flows without duplication. Smee and Ford integration → Direct connection to industry‑leading probate data for complete oversight. Stronger relationships → Families and executors feel reassured that gifts are handled with care and transparency. Legacy gifts are too important to be left to outdated processes. By adopting smarter tools, you can honor donor trust, reduce risk, and unlock the full potential of legacy income. Ready to transform how you manage legacy income? Get in touch with us today to see how our solutions can help you build confidence, efficiency, and growth for the future.

FirstClass goes Global

By Fiona Paton • November 4, 2025
The background International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) was founded in 1969, with the aim of stopping the commercial hunt for whitecoat seals on the east coast of Canada. IFAW has grown into a charity that works across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. IFAW is dedicated to building a world where animals and people can thrive together on a healthy planet. Through its work in the fields of biodiversity conservation and wildlife rescue, IFAW has had a major impact on ecosystems and communities around the world. With a third of the charity’s income stemming from legacies, IFAW has been using FirstClass to streamline, manage, and monitor this crucial revenue stream from its UK office for over 10 years. However, its international counterparts were using disparate systems that were incurring significantly more administration time than would have been required when using one standardised legacy management platform. In 2025, the decision to implement FirstClass across six new international territories was taken.