LEGACY GIFTS TO WELLINGTON COLLEGE

Since its opening in 1859, Wellington College has depended on, and benefited from, the generosity of those who shared the vision of the College’s founders; to create a living memorial to The Duke of Wellington. Indeed, independent schools make up some of the oldest charities in the country. The College in its current form is the result of generations of giving, from the first funders to many Old Wellingtonians and friends of Wellington.

WHY CONSIDER A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

Many people have multiple demands on their finances which might preclude them making a gift in their lifetime. Equally, they may have been supporters of the College in their lifetime and wish to make a final gesture of support. A legacy can be a final tribute to the College, a gift which endures in perpetuity, and one which can be put towards any number of areas of College’s work. Bequests are exempt from inheritance tax (IHT) and for estates leaving 10% or more to charity, there is a reduction in IHT from 40% to 36%.

JOINING THE WATERLOO SOCIETY

We will ask you whether or not you would like to join the Waterloo Society, an organisation for those individuals who have made a commitments to support the College with a legacy gift.

LEAVE A FOOTPRINT ON THE FUTURE

With a legacy bequest, you may specify how your legacy will be used by the College. You can choose to support a specific area, such as bursaries, Foundationers, or capital projects, or choose the area of greatest need by giving to the Governors’ discretionary fund. If you choose to remember Wellington College in your Will, the most common methods are as follows:

A Residuary legacy

A gift of all, a percentage of, or a share of your estate after expenses, pecuniary and specific bequests. This type of gift cannot be eroded by inflation.

A Pecuniary legacy

A gift of a specific sum of money. As the value of a specific sum decreases over time with inflation, this may be index-linked to maintain its current-day value.

A Reversionary legacy

Allows named persons to benefit from your assets until their death, at which time the remaining assets are transferred wholly or partly to the College.

A Specific Bequest

A gift of a specific asset e.g. a house, shares, or a work of art. These assets will be excluded from your estate valuation and are not liable for inheritance tax.

A Substitutional legacy

A gift of your estate to other persons which reverts to the College if they predecease you
Life Assurance: By taking out a policy naming Wellington College as a beneficiary, you can provide a substantial gift for the school with relatively modest premiums.

A TIMELINE OF LEGACIES

1852

College is founded by multiple benefactors as a memento mori to the Duke.

The Gatehouse Bequest

A significant bequest in Wellington’s history, Sir Robert Gatehouse bequeathed over £300,000 to fund The Gatehouse Scholarship, a lasting memorial to a distinguished OW (HI 1942) and friend.

The Crosthwaite Bequest

c.£800,000 was generously bequeathed in 2013.

Numerous other legacies have been kindly donated to the College over the years, large and small.
Every gift plays a vital role in College’s ability to continue offering a world-class education.

For further guidance on leaving a legacy gift, the Remember a Charity and Legacy10 organisations have a number of publications available.