Support today, give in the future!
Leaving a gift in your Will to Lincoln Cathedral is a great way to show your support today, but not have to give your gift until the time comes in the future.
The Cathedral has bold ambitions for the future, and by leaving a gift in your Will, you will be helping to continue the movement to inspire a passion for Lincoln Cathedral, its heritage, its music and its mission into future generations.
How much should I leave?
Legacy gifts are always a personal expression, so it’s completely up to you. Any gift is always gratefully received, however often the simplest way to leave a gift is as a residuary share of your estate. This way, the value of your gift is maintained as the years go by from the time of writing your Will, to the gift finally being given.
If you choose to leave 10% of your estate to charities (of which the Cathedral is one), you will also pay a reduced rate of inheritance tax (currently 36% rather than 40%) on your entire estate above the threshold.
Why Lincoln Cathedral?
Lincoln Cathedral is truly a unique place. By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help to ensure that this important piece of ‘living’ history is preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Every gift left through a Will directly helps support vital work at the Cathedral that is important to you and goes towards protecting this exquisite part of our nation’s heritage.
Cathedral Building and Heritage Skills
Because the Cathedral is listed on the Heritage at Risk Register, it is tasked to spend approximately £1.6 million on conservation and restoration every year. Leaving a gift to the Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral – Fabric Fund will mean that, with your help, the Cathedral can not only ensure that the physical structure of the building is maintained, but also the vitally important heritage skills of the Cathedral’s Works Department. Every gift is important, but as an example:
- £5,000 could pay for a large new carving
- £25,000 could support the training of a new heritage skills apprentice such as a stonemason, or glazier
Cathedral Library and Education
The vast collection of medieval manuscripts and historic books in the Library at Lincoln Cathedral is a resource for research and education unequalled in the region. Leaving a gift to the Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral – Library Fund will mean that with your help, the Cathedral can continue to improve access to and conservation of these important resources. A gift of £2,000, for example, will pay for the restoration and conservation of one medieval manuscript in your name.
HMRC Charity Reference Number X7802.
Cathedral Music and Choristers
Music is at the heart of what makes the Cathedral. It is the tradition of musical excellence that inspires so many people, particularly when they hear the angelic voices of the Cathedral Choir. By leaving a gift to the Lincoln Cathedral Music Fund, you will be helping to sustain the music of the Cathedral and give talented young people an opportunity to learn and develop, not only their musical abilities, but also develop ethic of working hard. A gift of £3,500 will support a boy or girl chorister for a year in which they will grow and contribute to the life of the Cathedral through unique experiences as well as choir tours. £50,000 will enable the Cathedral to offer this chance to a chorister in your name in perpetuity.
Music Fund Charity Number 1033089.
Worship and Mission
Lincoln Cathedral is first and foremost a place of worship. It was the glorification of God that inspired its foundation and still inspires the rhythm of its daily work. From Christian outreach work to liturgy and school programmes, worship is the central focus of the Cathedral. By leaving a gift to The Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral (for Worship and Mission), you will be helping to sustain this long tradition of the Cathedral acting as a beacon to the glory of God.
HMRC Charity Reference Number X7802.
Lincoln Cathedral
As an alternative to leaving a gift to a specific area of the Cathedral, many people choose to support the Cathedral in their Will by leaving a gift to The Corporate Body of Lincoln Cathedral (without restrictions). This allows the Cathedral to be more flexible and allocate your gift to where it is most needed at the time, be that to the Fabric of the building, supporting the Music of the Cathedral or the many unexpected costs that the Cathedral faces each and every year.
HMRC Charity Reference Number X7802.
Benefits
All legacy donors are offered a complimentary legacy membership of the Cathedral. You will receive an invitation to an annual thank you event, complimentary admission to the Cathedral, 10% discount in the Cathedral Shop and Refectory and subscription to the Cathedral Times publication among other benefits.
Suggested Wording
It is always best to consult a legal professional to ensure your Will is sound, however you may wish to consider the following wording should you wish to include Lincoln Cathedral in your Will. Your solicitor should be able to assist with wording, but some examples can be found below:
I leave the [your chosen Fund] ______% of the residue of my estate to be used at their discretion. The receipt of the appropriate authority shall be good discharge for my executors.
I leave the [your chosen Fund] the sum of £______ to be used at their discretion. The receipt of the appropriate authority shall be good discharge for my executors.
Contact Us
Should you wish to speak to us about your legacy gift, please contact 01522 561614 or email matthew.tarling@LincolnCathedral.com and we’ll do all we can to assist.