In these uncertain financial times, during which the word austerity is writ large, legacy-giving is becoming an ever more crucial element in supporting one’s alma-mater. Leaving a legacy can attract considerable tax advantages, and not just those in relation to Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Stowe School Foundation (which supports the provision of scholarships and bursaries, along with the continual need to update the School’s facilities) and The Stowe House Preservation Trust (which supports the ongoing maintenance and restoration of the House) are the two registered charities that our legacy donors support. Leaving a charitable bequest can therefore be of benefit to both parties, whilst securing the future of the School and/or House.
My parents, throughout my ten years in boarding education, lived in the Far East and as a result Stowe played the most significant part in my upbringing. I was therefore delighted in January 2012, to accept the considerable honour of becoming the President of the Roxburgh Society. The Society is exclusive to those of us who have chosen to support the School through legacy giving. I very much hope that if you, like me, hold fond memories of our great School then you will consider making a similar gift, no matter how large or small, to help continue Roxburgh’s legacy for generations to come.
I would therefore ask anyone who would like to know more, to email the Development Office, at Stowe who will be able to send you further information or alternatively put you in touch with me. I am always delighted to make contact with potential donors.
Thank you.
The Roxburgh Society was founded to recognise, honour and thank those kind enough to support Stowe by pledging a gift in their Will. The Society is named after the School's first headmaster J F Roxburgh, arguably the greatest public school headmaster of the 20th Century, and provides an opportunity to thank members for their contribution.
Pledging a legacy is a wonderful way of assisting the School in a very meaningful way and we are proud to have the support of over 160 Old Stoics to date and the ranks are steadily increasing. Each of our members has pledged a bequest to whichever aspect of Stowe they care about most: such as providing bursaries for talented and exceptional children, or helping to fund the continued restoration work, which is preserving Stowe Mansion for generations to come.
Why join the Roxburgh Society?
An annual Roxburgh Society Lunch is held each summer at Stowe, at which members may enjoy the conviviality of being with like-minded people, and to see for themselves the developments in both the School and the House. We also host an annual Roxburgh Society Open Day Lunch which aims to promote the Roxburgh Society to the wider Stowe community and members are very welcome to bring an Old Stoic guest who might be interested in joining the Society. Members receive a Roxburgh Society tie or brooch and have a lifetime subscription to The Stoic, as well as being invited to Stowe events both at the School and elsewhere.
Trees at Stowe are one the great characteristics of our beautiful landscape gardens. Trees are planted in the School grounds, in memory of our Legacy donors. Members’ names are recorded in the Stowe Tree Book which is stored in the School Library, and tree planting ceremonies are held for the families of Roxburgh Society members to be commemorated. Introduced in June 2016, tree planting is a wonderful addition to the Society and we are thankful to The National Trust for working with us.
Stowe School (Registered Charity No. 1071363) and Stowe House Preservation Trust (Registered Charity No. 1066272) are registered charities and accordingly, all legacies made to the school are exempt from UK Inheritance and Capital Gains Taxes. Under current rules, if you leave 10% or more of your chargeable net estate to charity, the Inheritance Tax rate on the whole of your taxable estate is reduced from 40% to 36%. If you intend to leave a legacy to Stowe or indeed, have already done so, you are eligible for membership of the Roxburgh Society. Please either download and return the membership form, or contact the Development Office.
Writing your Will
We would be very grateful if you would consider including Stowe in your Will. Adding a bequest to either of the School's charities to an existing Will can be done by using the codicil form available to download below. Alternatively, should you wish to write a new Will, your solicitor will require the registered charity number of your chosen cause:
Stowe School Foundation - Registered Charity Number 1071363
Stowe House Preservation Trust - Registered Charity Number 1066272
Different types of legacies and bequests
There are a number of ways to make a legacy to The Stowe School Foundation and The Stowe House Preservation Trust. Due to their status as registered charities, all legacies and bequests made to them are exempted from Inheritance Tax. A legacy or bequest may therefore benefit your inheritors by reducing the liability of your estate.
Pecuniary Legacy
A gift of a sum of money which can be fixed or index-linked.
Residuary Bequest
A gift of part or all of the assets comprising the remainder of your Estate after all other bequests and legacies have been met and all debts and expenses settled. The value of such a gift cannot be ascertained until the completion of the administration of your Estate. Where there is a combination of exempt and non-exempt beneficiaries, the burden of Inheritance Tax needs to be carefully considered.
Reversionary Gift
A gift which allows named persons to benefit from assets during their lifetimes, after which the assets are transferred to the ultimate Beneficiary.
Contingent Gift (or Conditional)
Gifts which are dependent on a particular event occurring. For example, leaving a legacy to The Stowe School Foundation or The Stowe House Preservation Trust in the event that a named Beneficiary predeceases you.
Specific Bequest
A gift of a particular item or asset including stocks and shares, bank accounts, land or any other property, jewellery, works of art, antiques, etc