Leave a gift in your will

For many LGBTQ+ people, especially those who have faced rejection, discrimination, or homelessness, the idea of chosen family is not just symbolic, its lifesaving. It’s the network of love, solidarity and care we build when our birth families can’t or won’t stand beside us.

By leaving gifts in wills, our supporters are honouring that chosen family, extending their legacy to others who have walked a similar path, and helping to create a future where every LGBTQ+ young person not only has a roof over their head, but has a true sense of belonging. Our legacy donors will be remembered as people who stood up for love, dignity and home.

The difference you can make

We are so grateful for every bequest we receive, no matter what the size. Whatever you give, you’re providing brighter futures for LGBTQ+ young people. Here are a few examples of how a legacy gift can make a difference to those we support:

• £4,400 pays for 100 nights of emergency accommodation
• £24,030 pays for ten young people to receive our full long term support programme, including their own support worker for as long as they need us
• £90,000 pays for 218 young people to receive support packs, providing emergency accommodation, clothing, food and essential items for their new homes.

What next?

Leaving a gift in your Will is a very personal decision. In fact, it may be the most significant charitable gift you’ve ever made. To help you with this process, our Legacy team are more than happy to offer support and guidance, should you prefer to talk things through before finalising your commitment. If you’d like to speak to someone about your gift, please get in touch with us at fundraising@akt.org.uk

If you’ve already remembered akt in your Will, we’d love to hear from you. Not only will this help us to shape our future plans, but it also gives us an opportunity to thank you properly and keep you informed of the work we are doing. Any information you share with us will be treated as confidential and won’t be legally binding.

Types of legacy giving explained

There are many ways to express your commitment to the akt in your will. A solicitor or financial advisor can help you balance your personal and charitable intentions, so you can decide what’s right for you. Types of legacy gifts include:

Residuary
A gift of the remainder of the estate after all other bequests have been made and debts cleared is called a residuary bequest.

Pecuniary
A gift of a fixed sum of money in your will is called a pecuniary bequest. The value of pecuniary legacies will decrease over time, as the cost of living increases.

Specific
A particular named item of value left as a gift in your will, is known as a specific bequest for example a piece of artwork or property.

Currently, leaving 10% or more of your taxable estate to charity reduces your Inheritance Tax rate on the remainder of your estate from 40% to 36%. Leaving a residual legacy means you can always meet the 10% threshold to reduce your IHT rate by 4%, even if your estate value fluctuates.

No young person should have to choose between who they are and a safe place to live.

Leaving a legacy to akt

If you want to see a world where every LGBTQ+ young person has access to safe housing, where they can be accepted for who they are, then leaving a gift to akt in your will might be right for you.

Founded in 1989, akt exists to provide safe homes, mentoring and training for young LGBTQ+ people who have faced rejection, abuse and violence after coming out to their families and communities.

Thanks to the generosity of like-minded individuals, we provide emergency interventions for young people who are rough sleeping or need to escape an unsafe environment as well as the long term support and advice that is vital to help them move forwards.

If you’re considering remembering akt, please do get in touch, email fundraising@akt.org.uk

Getting your affairs in order can be liberating and emboldening, but it can also be daunting! If you’re looking for help with your will, we recommend consulting Farewill.

Make a will with farewill for free

Farewill guides you step-by-step through the Will-writing process, and offers live support from Will specialists. You can pause and come back, and update your Will at any time.

As an akt supporter, you can use Farwill’s services completely free, with absolutely no obligation to leave money to akt in your will.