The average growth of legacy income for arts charities is twice as much as the growth of the top 1,000 charities overall, new research has found.

The Art of Legacies, published by Remember A Charity last week, says data from the legacy fundraising consortium Legacy Foresight shows 34 arts, culture and heritage charities were in the top 1,000 charities for legacy income in 2022/23.

In this period, these charities received £30m in legacy income and in the past decade, this has grown by an average of 10 per cent annually, the report says. 

“Although there are peaks and troughs in legacies with some years bringing unusually large gifts, it’s worth noting that average growth for legacy income in the arts is almost twice as much as the 5 per cent annual growth seen by the top 1,000 overall,” the report says.

The report also provides advice to charities on increasing legacy fundraising income, including considering their approaches to gifts of property or assets.

“Legacy gifts of property or assets can be immensely valuable but not every charity will be able to receive them or manage the sale of complex assets or unusual artefacts,” the report says.

“Consider what approach you would take and whether it might be advisable to include a sentence or two on your website that encourages people who wish to gift bequests of property or assets to get in touch and discuss their wishes.

“This can help people plan their legacy in the best way and open up valuable dialogue with prospective pledgers.”

Lucinda Frostick, director of Remember A Charity, said the sector’s work means legacies were more widely understood and more commonplace.

“It’s not that long ago that legacy giving was viewed largely as the preserve of the wealthy,” she said. 

“Now, thanks to the sector’s willingness to collaborate to build understanding about giving from your will and to support from the legal sector, legacies are not only more widely understood, but they are becoming more commonplace.

“These gifts are transforming the world around us, sustaining vital projects and programmes, and protecting places, properties and collections long into the future.”