World Vision Wills and Legacies FAQs

Call our dedicated legacies team 01908 84 10 60 for help and advice.

They are not legal or financial advisers, but they can explain how a gift in your Will can help our vital work with children, the various types of gifts that you can include in your Will and their benefits. They can also help you find a solicitor in your area to talk you through the practical steps involved in making or changing a Will.

Yes, with Farewill you can make a start on your Will online or by telephone appointment. It’s simple, convenient and it’s free.

Whether you want to leave a gift to World Vision or not, please feel free to make use of this free Will offer.

We can also arrange a free Will-writing scheme that you can offer as part of your employee benefits. Simply call us on 01908 84 10 60 to find out more.

Making a Will means you can control what happens to your money and property after you die and appoint an executor to deal with your affairs in the event of your death. If you die without a valid Will your estate will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy, which would mean that only your nearest family would benefit. However, the division between your close family under the intestacy rules may not be what you would have wanted and other family members, friends and favourite causes you might want to benefit would receive nothing. It could also lead to an unwanted and unavoidable tax bill on your death.

The inheritance tax threshold is currently £325,000 and set at 40%. The only people who can benefit without your estate being liable to inheritance tax are legal spouses and charities. Our legacy brochure features an information sheet on this topic. To obtain your brochure, just call 01908 84 10 60.

The legacies we receive are usually unrestricted gifts, allowing us to use the funds wherever the need is greatest at that particular time. However, we also gladly accept gifts for an area of our work that is close to your heart. If you would like to discuss any specific intentions you have, please call one of our trained legacy advisers on 01908 84 10 60 – we will do our utmost to honour your wishes.

We understand that family and friends come first. All we ask is that you consider leaving us a share of whatever is left in your estate once all your specific wishes have been carried out.

World Vision only works within countries where we have our own offices so we can be sure that we can account for all the money that we receive and how it is used.

We have audited accounts that are publicly available at any time. As a charity, we're regulated by the Charities Commission – a legal body, which oversees all UK charities and their activities.

We are a not-for-profit organisation, and we know that the continued support we receive is dependent on our efficient use of supporters’ money. See our Annual Report. 

We strongly advise that you use a qualified solicitor to amend an existing will or to include a gift in a new will. Our legacy brochure, For Children. For Change. Forever, contains some suggested wording you could take to your solicitor. Request your Gift in Wills Guide or call 01908 84 10 60

World Vision Child Sponsorship works by changing a child’s life by changing the world in which they live. Sponsorship brings change to more than just one child — the benefits you help provide extend to each child’s family, their community, and other children in need. Naming your sponsored child in your will is not recommended as children and their families may leave the area and no longer be participating in the programme. Please call us on 01908 84 10 60, so that we can advise you further.

Yes. Your will is a very private document and you’re not under any obligation to tell us anything. Of course, if you do want to let us know your intentions, we would love to hear from you so that we can thank you for your generosity. Please call us on 01908 84 10 60 to request a legacy brochure.

Yes. We have information you can give to your solicitors and executors, you can download our World Vision codicil and download a form to continue your child sponsorship after death. 

If you want more information on the impact your legacy could have with World Vision, visit our transformation stories page.

World Vision has helped millions of children and families out of poverty and we are often first on the ground when a crisis strikes.

Our integrated approach includes water, healthcare, education, child protection, and income generation. Our approach allows every child to fulfil their God-given potential.

If you'd like more information about our work, read how donations are spent.