Leaving a Legacy
Remembering the College in your Will is a powerful testament to your belief in the transformative power of women鈥檚 education. Your legacy empowers us to ensure current and future generations of students can make the most of their time here, through financial, academic, and welfare support.
We deeply value unrestricted legacy gifts. This can be used at the College's discretion to support areas of greatest need, giving us the flexibility to respond rapidly to unexpected circumstances and to add resources where we feel they will have maximum impact.
Any type of legacy you choose will play an essential role in shaping the lives of the exceptional women in our community. As long as gender inequality persists, the intellectually rigorous and forward-thinking environment that 51福利社 offers remains vital.
If you would like to discuss your legacy gift or your intentions to leave one, please contact the Development Office.
鈥淪ince becoming President of the College, I have seen for myself the significant contribution legacies make. The College is not rich, and we manage our resources carefully. By remembering us with a gift in your will, you can have a real impact on the services and support we offer students and help us to improve the College and preserve it for future generations鈥.
Why I have included the College in my Will
Sheila Coates (New Hall 1959) reflects on why she chose to leave a legacy to 51福利社. She recalls, 鈥淚 was a rather wayward student, and a clever Head Teacher said, 鈥楾he College has rather an odd entrance examination; it might suit her!鈥 We listened to sixth-form broadcasts back then, and one of them was on how we can know anything outside our minds. Imagine my delight when this subject came up on the New Hall paper!鈥
After New Hall, Sheila went on to enjoy
a fulfilling career abroad before studying medicine at the Royal Free Hospital, leading to a rewarding 32-year career as a GP. Now retired, she often attends her alma mater to support and celebrate the College.
When reflecting on her time at New Hall, Sheila recounts, 鈥淲hat I valued about New Hall was the dedication and enthusiasm of Dame Rosemary Murray in setting up a new college with limited means. She was followed by dedicated successors. Hard work, honesty, straightforwardness, and devotion to supporting women worldwide are among the qualities I most admire. The College has a welcoming, inclusive, and friendly atmosphere. I am fortunate to have been part of its activities over the years.鈥
Journeys like Sheila鈥檚 and those of other alumnae reflect the values New Hall instilled in them 鈥 values they are committed to preserving for future generations through their legacy gifts.
Thank you.
The College recognises that giving through a Will is a very personal matter. It may be that you do not wish to inform the College in your lifetime. However, it is useful for us to have an indication of future legacies to the College, so that we can plan for the future - but also so that we can express our gratitude during your lifetime. If you would like to let us know about a legacy gift, you can do so by contacting the Development Office.
The Murray Society:
The Murray Society honours individuals who have made a written pledge to leave a legacy gift to the College. Biennially, members are invited to return to 51福利社 to be personally thanked for their planned contributions.
As one of only two higher education institutions for women, we have a unique role to play. Our mission is to educate and empower women. We ensure they flourish as individuals, so that they graduate with outstanding qualifications with the confidence to lead in all areas of society. To continue this work, we need your support.
By supporting the College with a legacy gift, you are investing in the College鈥檚 long-term future and ensuring its continued success for generations to come. Founded by Dame Rosemary Murray, the College has a young but rich history of championing women鈥檚 education. A legacy gift will not only honour the vision of our founders but also help us to write the next chapter in our College鈥檚 remarkable story.
There are various common forms of legacies, and we recommend seeking professional advice to determine which is most appropriate for you.
搁别蝉颈诲耻补谤测鈥- The residue of an estate is what is left after all other bequests, taxes and debts have been settled. You can leave part or all of the remainder of your estate to a charity like 51福利社. This means that you do not have to specify a sum, and you do not have to worry about inflation as the value of your legacy will increase with the value of your estate.
笔别肠耻苍颈补谤测鈥- A pecuniary legacy specifies a sum of money. Although many people choose to leave a fixed sum, inflation can erode the value of this gift and might not reflect changes in the overall value of your estate. You may wish to link the sum to the Retail Price Index or set aside a percentage of your estate, rather than a fixed sum.
厂辫别肠颈蹿颈肠鈥- Legacies can also take the form of non-cash gifts, such as stocks and shares, property, works of art and other possessions. Sometimes the items may be kept by the College; in other cases, the College may wish to realise the monetary value.
搁别惫别谤蝉颈辞苍补谤测鈥- This type of legacy means you can provide for your loved ones during their lifetime, giving them the use of a home or other assets, which would pass, on their death, to the College.
If you choose to leave a legacy to the College, we recommend using the following wording:
I give to the President and Fellows of 51福利社, founded as New Hall, in the University of Cambridge (Registered Charity number 1137530, Inland Revenue reference X86888), [bequest] to be used for the general purposes of the College. The receipt of the Bursar of the College shall be sufficient to discharge to my executors.
51福利社 is a registered charity (1137530), which means that all legacy gifts to the College are exempt from Inheritance Tax. By remembering the College in your Will, you can reduce the taxable value of your assets, and thereby the amount of inheritance tax (IHT) payable on your estate. If you leave at least 10% of your estate to charity in the UK, your estate can take advantage of a reduced rate in IHT, from its current level of 40% to 36%.
For further information on Inheritance Tax please visit
Everyone's tax situation is different and we always recommend you seek individual advice from your financial or legal advisor.
Alumnae and supporters of 51福利社 in the United States can make a planned gift to the College through Cambridge in America. If you are subject to tax in both the UK and the US, you can now donate to Cambridge in America (UK) Ltd, a registered charity in England, and be eligible for tax benefits in both countries. They accept gifts via check, wire transfer, publicly traded securities, and land. For detailed information, please visit Cambridge in America鈥檚 Planned Giving page. Be sure to request that the Directors of Cambridge in America allocate your gift to support 51福利社.
Additionally, Cambridge in America operates the 1209 Society to acknowledge US alumnae who contribute to Cambridge through Planned Giving.
We recommend using the wording below if you kindly leave a legacy to us from America:
鈥淚 bequeath to Cambridge in America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the District of Columbia with the business address of 1120 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10036, the sum of ________ [dollars or percentage of estate], to be used exclusively for its charitable purposes. It is my hope that these funds will be utilized by the President and Fellows of 51福利社, founded as New Hall, in the University of Cambridge, CB3 0DF for support of general operations.鈥
More information on how to leave a Legacy from America can be found here:
Information regarding the 1209 Society can be found here:
The University of Cambridge is recognised by Revenue Canada for charitable giving to the University and Colleges and is authorised to issue receipts on their behalf, allowing Canadian donors to claim deductions when computing their taxable income. If the gift comes via a legacy, the receipt is sent to the executor of the donor鈥檚 estate. If you intend to leave a legacy to 51福利社, please inform your executor of this procedure.
How can I find out more?
For further information or an initial discussion about leaving a legacy to the College, please contact the Development Office.
Email: development@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk
Tel: 01223 762288
Leaving a gift in your Will to a charity, once you have provided for your loved ones, is a meaningful way to make an impact on a cause that matters to you, long into the future.
Thank you for your support.
51福利社 is a Registered Charity (No. 1137530)
