Charity supporters in the 40s and 50s are more likely to include charitable gifts in their wills than those aged over 70, research has found.

The research by Remember A Charity suggests charity legacy teams should be targeting their middle-aged Generation X supporters, beneficiaries and volunteers, especially as people are increasingly writing their wills at an earlier age.

While three in ten of those aged over 70 had left a gift to a good cause in their will, this rises to more than a third among those aged between 40 and 59.

More than a third of volunteers leave a charitable gift in a will, as do around three in ten regular givers and those raising funds for good causes.

Just under one in four beneficiaries of charity support leave a gift, the research also found.

The research surveyed 2,000 UK charity supporters aged over 40 and also found that the average age to first make a will is 50, with three in four respondents from Generation X writing this before the end of their 40s.

Overall, more than one in five over 40-year-olds have included a charitable gift in a will, up from 14% 16 years ago.

A better awareness of online support among Generation X is a factor, the research further suggests.

Almost three in ten of those in Generation X would make a Will online or have already done so, compared to one in ten baby boomers and those older, classed as the Silent Generation.

Three in five of all respondents have left a charitable gift following a conversation with a professional advisor. Wealthy Generation X-ers, with assets of over £250,000 are the most likely group to seek such advice.

“Legacy giving has seen steady, long-term growth in the UK, becoming an increasingly vital source of income for charities of all sizes,” said Remember A Charity director Lucinda Frostick.

“Yet there remains significant room for growth. And this is particularly important at a time when other forms of giving are under real pressure.”

She added “By deepening our understanding of how different generations think about and engage with legacy giving, we have a powerful opportunity to bridge that gap, opening up new conversations and inspiring more people to take action and leave a gift.”

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