Leave a Legacy Gift in Your Will

Your will can help keep orangutans wild for generations to come.

Why leave a gift in your will?

Leaving a gift in your will to your chosen charity is a powerful way to make a lasting impact for the causes you care about. By choosing to leave a gift to SOS, you can help us protect, connect and rewild the irreplaceable rainforests in Sumatra.

From over two decades supporting frontline conservation partners, we know that orangutan conservation is a long-term and complex issue. To secure a safe future for wild orangutans, we need to design conservation programmes which help orangutans, nature and people thrive, together.

By donating a portion of your estate, your legacy will live on in the rainforest. Your gift can help orangutans, as well as the people living alongside them, to thrive in flourishing forest landscapes. Leaving a legacy to SOS will support our work to protect, connect and rewild the orangutans’ rainforest home, for the long term. 

Thank you for considering such a meaningful way to make an impact after you have gone. Every gift makes a difference.

How to leave a gift in your will

1. Choose your own solicitor.
2. Create a will for free with Farewill.

Once you have taken care of your family and your loved ones, you can ask your solicitor or will writer to help you decide which type of gift you would like to leave to SOS. You can choose to leave:

• A share of your estate (a residuary gift) – a percentage of the remainder of your estate after other legacies and costs have been paid. This type of gift is not affected by inflation.
• A specified sum (a pecuniary legacy) – for example £10,000. The value of this type of gift will be affected by inflation over time unless your gift is index-linked to the Retail Price Index.
• A specific item – like an antique or a piece of jewellery.

Once you have decided on which type of gift you would like to leave to SOS, you will need to give your solicitor our charity number and address: Sumatran Orangutan Society, 6 Lombard Street, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 5BJ. Charity no. 1158711.

When you pledge to leave a gift to SOS in your will, please let us know. We would love to keep you up to date with our progress so you can feel confident that your gift will be in safe hands and make a real impact!

Frequently asked questions

• Why do I need a will?

A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your property and possessions to be distributed after your death. If you have assets, such as property, savings, or investments, a will ensures that they are distributed according to your wishes. Even if you don’t have many assets, it is still important to write a will to specify who should be responsible for your funeral arrangements and guardianship of children and pets.

• Who needs to have a will?

Everyone should consider having a will, regardless of their age or financial situation. Not having a will can leave your loved ones in a state of uncertainty and could cause potential issues. It is important to put your wishes into writing. Making a will gives you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order. 

• Is it complicated to write a will?

Writing a will doesn’t have to be complicated. We have partnered with Farewill, the UK’s leading will provider to make the process as simple as possible. It can take as little as 30 minutes and you can get started from the comfort of your own home. Our free “Gifts in Wills” Guide explains it all.

• How much does it cost to write a will?

The cost of writing a will can vary depending on the complexity of your estate. A basic will can be relatively inexpensive, while more complex wills may require additional fees. We are offering our supporters the chance to write their will for free, with Farewill. 

• Can I make changes to my will in the future?

Yes, it is recommended that you update your will every two years, to make sure it still fits with your life and circumstances. If you choose to write a will with Farewill, you’ll have a year to make unlimited changes for free. After that, it’s £10 a year for as many updates as you need.

The Wisdom Circle

You are warmly welcomed to join the Wisdom Circle – a group of fellow SOS legacy pledgers. Wisdom Circle members are invited to special events and get the inside track on developments in Sumatra, as well as regular updates and briefings.

To find out more, contact Rhia at info@orangutans-sos.org or call the SOS HQ on 01235 530825. We look forward to hearing from you and are so grateful for your generous care for orangutans and their forests.