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Celebrating Excellence: The 2026 Legacy Giving Awards

Published 12 May 2026

Winners of the Legacy Giving Awards 2026 revealed

The winners of the prestigious Legacy Giving Awards were announced yesterday afternoon at a ceremony held on Northumberland Avenue in London. Now in their fourth year, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across the UK legacy giving sector, recognising the individuals, teams and organisations driving forward this vital income stream for charities.

Fourteen winners, selected from 91 finalists, were revealed during the ceremony, showcasing the extraordinary contributions of legacy professionals and partners from across the sector. The winners were chosen by an expert judging panel of 15 leading figures from the legacy giving community, who assessed entries based on Ambition, Excellence and Achievement.

Legacy giving continues to play an increasingly important role in supporting the UK’s charitable sector, with gifts in Wills projected to reach nearly £5 billion annually by 2030. This year’s awards highlight the sector’s ongoing evolution, with a strong focus on digital innovation, stewardship, collaboration and leadership.

The 2026 winners represent a diverse range of charities, agencies and partners, from national organisations to specialist causes, all demonstrating outstanding commitment to engaging supporters and maximising the impact of legacy giving.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and highly commended organisations. The scale and quality of entries we received is a testament to the dedication and expertise across the sector. It was fantastic to come together and celebrate the achievements of so many organisations and individuals who are pushing boundaries and delivering real impact through legacy giving.”

Polly Avgherinos, CEO, MiExact

“The calibre of entries this year has been exceptional, reflecting a sector that continues to grow in confidence, innovation and impact. It is especially meaningful to mark the 10th anniversary of the Crispin Ellison Bursary, which plays an important role in supporting professional development and nurturing future talent within legacy administration. Together, the winners and finalists demonstrate the strength and ambition of the legacy giving community.”

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2026 winners

We are thrilled to honour the incredible organisations and individuals who took home awards this year:
Digital Innovation in Legacy Giving

Action for Children

(Highly Commended: British Red Cross)

Excellence in Stewardship

Essex Wildlife Trust

(Highly Commended: Victoria and Albert Museum)

Best Creative Partner

Raw London

Best Legal Partner

Foot Anstey

Best Will Writing Partner

Octopus Legacy

Legacy Campaign of the Year

St John’s Hospice

(Highly Commended: Hospice UK)

Legacy Champion of the Year

Janet Abraham, Claire House Hospice

(Highly Commended: Catherine Bosworth, Hospice UK)

Future Leader Bursary Awards

Charlotte Price (Air Ambulance Charity)

Jennifer Connolly (Hospice in the Weald)

Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards

Sassy Holmes (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust)

Aiste Klisyte (Edinburgh Cats and Dogs Home)

Legacy Event of the Year

Dorset Wildlife Trust

(Highly Commended: Alzheimer’s Research UK)

Outstanding Partner to the Legacy Sector

Octopus Legacy

Legacy Team of the Year

Alzheimer’s Society
Thank you to everyone who entered this year, our finalists and winners, and our brilliant partners – Probate.Auction, Shakespeare Martineau, Inheritect, Just Clear, Remember a Charity and the Institute of Legacy Management. You are all a huge part of why legacy giving is such a powerful and enduring force in the UK. 

Could 2027 be your year? 

We’re already looking ahead to next year. If you’d like to be part of the 2027 Legacy Giving Awards, register your interest to stay informed about dates, submissions and event updates: 

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