Article published in Jersey Evening Post
As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the lasting impact we’ll leave behind. The idea of “legacy” often surfaces only when we’re faced with life’s biggest milestones or challenges. This Legacy Week (9-15 September), the question of the enduring mark we will leave after we’re gone is one that deserves our thoughtful attention.
Legacy giving isn’t just about drafting a will; it’s about ensuring that our values and passions continue to resonate long after we’re gone. By leaving a gift in your will, you can contribute to the causes and communities you hold dear, making a difference for generations to come.
What is legacy giving?
When we think of a legacy, our minds often jump to grandiose thoughts of monuments, public buildings or major philanthropic foundations. But in reality, a legacy is anything that outlasts us. It’s the sum of your values, passions and actions that have defined your life and continue to make an impact long after you’re gone. Legacy giving is one of the most profound ways to ensure that your influence endures, offering a lasting benefit to the causes and communities you care deeply about.
By including charitable organisations in your will, you ensure that a portion of your assets, finances or property will go towards making a meaningful impact. Legacy giving is one of the largest sources of voluntary income for UK charities, raising £4 billion annually (Legacy Foresight, 2023). These contributions are vital for the sustainability of non-profits and the ongoing support of our communities.
Why legacy giving matters for Jersey
Legacy giving lets you become a lasting part of Jersey's story, helping to shape the community even after you're gone. As we consider the challenges and opportunities facing our Island today – social inequality, healthcare, education, climate change and more – legacy gifts provide essential support that enables sustained progress and innovation in these areas.
Consider the story of Greville Bathe, whose legacy fund, established more than 60 years ago, continues to provide crucial support to Jersey’s sick and elderly. This is a perfect example of how a well-placed legacy can have a ripple effect, benefitting generations of Islanders long after the donor has passed away. Such stories highlight the long-lasting impact that a thoughtfully directed legacy gift can have, transforming lives and communities in ways that might not have been imaginable at the time the gift was made.
How Jersey Community Foundation (JCF) supports legacy giving
At JCF, we understand that leaving a legacy is a deeply personal decision. That’s why we offer bespoke services to help you or your loved ones fulfil your wishes. Whether your legacy gift is large or small, we ensure that every penny is maximised to create a lasting impact in our Island community.
One of the unique benefits of legacy giving through JCF is the ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of our Island. Unlike specific charities, which may evolve or change focus over time, a community foundation adapts to the most pressing issues within the community. This flexibility ensures that your gift remains relevant and impactful for years to come.
A legacy gift through JCF can be tailored to your specific wishes. It could:
support causes you are most interested in or concerned about, or be allocated to the Island’s most pressing current needs (using our in-depth community knowledge and connections), depending on your preference;
be small or large, as a percentage of your Estate or a fixed sum gift;
be distributed to local causes quickly and/or invested in an endowment fund with the income used for grant-making to local causes year-on-year, in perpetuity, in both cases through our well-established channels and procedures;
involve setting up a Personal Named Fund, potentially with a living gift (enabling you to see the immediate impact) alongside a legacy gift;
be allocated to one or more of our existing themed funds, allowing JCF to respond to urgent community needs and to emerging opportunities for projects, programmes and services across a broad range of charitable organisations; and,
make a tangible difference: we allocate your gift to specific causes, guided by your expressed preferences, and ensure these are as impactful as possible.
Along with your solicitor or another professional advisor, JCF can support you in reviewing the above options and making the choices you are happiest with.
The growing trend of ‘giving while living’
‘Giving while living’, an approach popularised by philanthropists like Chuck Feeney, encourages donors to make significant contributions during their lifetime, rather than waiting until after their passing. The rationale is simple: by giving now, you can see the impact of your generosity and ensure that your funds are used where they are needed most.
For many, the idea of giving while living is an appealing one. It allows donors to be actively involved in the allocation of their funds, to witness the positive effects of their contributions and to adapt their giving strategies in response to changing circumstances. It also provides an opportunity to inspire others – by setting an example of generosity and engagement, you can encourage friends, family members and colleagues to consider their own legacies.
At JCF, we’ve seen a growing interest in this approach, with donors choosing to establish living legacies that complement their future plans. By setting up a fund during your lifetime, you can begin to make a difference immediately, while also laying the groundwork for continued support after you’re gone.
Local legacy giver shares their story
One donor currently working with JCF has chosen to set up a ‘living legacy’ fund. Giving anonymously in a small community like Jersey can be important, and setting up a fund with JCF allows this.
The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous for the purpose of this article, says, “Given the huge and varied needs in our communities today, the impact of funding now will address some of the issues of today, and help prevent some of the problems of tomorrow.
“Legacy giving isn’t just about leaving a financial contribution. It's about ensuring that my values and passions continue to make a difference long after I'm gone. JCF’s ability to address a wide spectrum of needs, adapt to changing times and collaborate with diverse causes resonated with my desire for enduring impact in Jersey, the Island that I care about and call my home. By contributing to a collective pool of resources, I feel part of something larger than myself where my legacy is woven into a tapestry of positive change."
Closing thoughts
By directing your legacy through JCF, you become part of a larger movement that understands the unique needs of Jersey while supporting a wide range of causes and addresses the Island’s most pressing needs. Whether you’re passionate about education, environmental conservation, healthcare or social justice, your legacy can be a catalyst for positive change, empowering future generations to build on the foundations you’ve laid.
In this way, legacy giving is about building bridges between the past, present and future. It’s about recognising the continuity of human experience and understanding that our actions today will reverberate through time, influencing the lives of those who come after us.
Find out how you can leave a legacy
To explore how you can leave a lasting legacy for Jersey, or to discuss your ideas with us, please visit www.jerseycommunityfoundation.org/giving/legacy-memory-funds or contact Anna Terry at anna@jerseycommunityfoundation.org.
By choosing to give through JCF, you are entrusting your legacy to an organisation that understands the unique needs of Jersey and is dedicated to making a lasting impact.