The winners of the 2022 Legacy Futures Awards have been unveiled, celebrating new and emerging talent in the legacy and in memory field. Selected by an independent panel of experts, the majority of the award winners hail from the UK, but a campaign from Deakin University in Australia stole the show for Legacy Futures’ innovation category.
Innovation Award Winner: Deakin University (Tracey King)
In August 2021, Deakin University embarked upon its inaugural digital acquisition campaign for legacies, aiming to build a strong pipeline of future philanthropic income. Approaching their alumni community and encouraging them to consider leaving a gift in the Will was not only a first for Deakin, but for any Australian university. Recognising that the cost of Will-making can be a barrier, they offered a cost-effective online Will service, which led to over 100 completed Wills and several alumni generously writing Deakin into their Will. The Deakin fundraising team shared their learnings with peers, setting up a Gifts in Wills group of 30 universities across the country and 40 higher education professionals.
The judges of the Innovation Award – Lucinda Darby of Remember a Charity and Dr Claire Routley of Legacy Voice – praised the campaign planning. They were particularly impressed by the impact it had on the wider sector with the formation of the Australian Gifts In Wills network. The prize for this award sees the gifts in Wills team at Deakin offered a design thinking workshop with Legacy Voice.
Future Leader Award Winners: Abbie Barton, Nikita Gandhi and Anna Webster
Celebrating those who are new to a legacy or in-memory giving role, the winners of this year’s Future Leader category are Abbie Barton at Tŷ Hafan, Nikita Gandhi at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Anna Webster at CancerCare.
The judges – Emma Bowles at Porchlight (a 2021 winner) and Lena Vizy of Amnesty International Netherlands – felt that each of these future leaders demonstrated exceptional fundraising abilities and strategic thinking, and that they would benefit and grow from the 6-month mentorship offered to award winners.
Crispin Ellison Award Winners: Mary Taylor-Lewis and Emma Newell
In memory of Crispin Ellison this award – selected by judges Carolyn Jones at the University of Liverpool (2021 award winner) and Meenaxi Patel at the British Heart Foundation – celebrates exceptional individuals working or volunteering in legacy administration and management.
The winners, announced at the ILM Conference this month, are Mary Taylor Lewis and Emma Newell, both of whom receive a training package from the Institute of Legacy Management, funding the cost of the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration (CiCLA).
Having only been in her role at the University of York for 6 months, Mary is the sole person responsible for legacy giving and she has demonstrated great progress and enthusiasm. The judges commented on her dedication and commitment to ensuring that legacy pledgers are continually looked after and stewarded.
Similarly, Emma hit the ground running in her role of legacy fundraiser at Claire House Children’s Hospice, where their legacy income continues to grow. Emma’s strong passion and enthusiasm comes across in droves, instilling legacy confidence across Claire House Children’s Hospice, and inspiring their legacy supporters.
We created the Legacy Futures Awards as part of our mission to do all we can to support the sector and its fundraisers.
We want to thank every person and organisation that took the time to enter and share their great work with us and of course, our panel of judges for their commitment to the Awards.
Huge congratulations to the winners! We’re excited to see what comes next in their Gifts in Wills and In Memory fundraising.
Over the coming months we will be featuring the winners and sharing their brilliant legacy giving work. Sign up to our email list using the form in the footer to follow them on their legacy journey.
If you have ideas for other ways you think we could help you, we’re always keen to hear from you. Get in touch here.