Legacy giving
By leaving a gift in your will to DMU, however large or small, you will be helping to ensure that this great institution can continue to play an integral role in society.
There are several different types of legacy, so we recommend that you seek professional legal advice when deciding how best to leave your mark.
Leaving a legacy to De Montfort University is a very personal and generous act and should you choose to support DMU in your will, this will be your chance to leave a gift that will be appreciated by generations of future students to come – the gift of education.
Free will writing for alumni
We are delighted to be able to offer a free will writing service to all of our alumni. For full details on how to do this please click here.
If you would like to discuss the option of remembering De Montfort University in your will please visit our 'Remembering DMU in your will' webpage or complete and return a declaration of intent form to let us know of your wishes and help us to thank you appropriately.
How to include a gift in your will
If you are in the process of writing your will or updating an existing one we have produced some guidance and suggested wording (PDF) for your will or codicil to help you leave a legacy gift. This will help to ensure that your gift is tax efficient, as the University has exempt charity status.
Whenever you write or update your will, we strongly recommend that you seek professional advice from a solicitor.
Adding a gift to an existing will
If you have already made a will, you can add a legacy to the University by simply adding a Codicil form (PDF) to an existing will.
Leaving your mark
The 'Christopherson Fund' - A lecturer's legacy for Art, Design and Humanities students
Albert Christopherson worked at the Leicester College of Art and Technology (one of our predecessor institutions) between the 1930s and 1960s. He held various positions during that time, including Head of School for Graphic Design and Head of School for Industrial Design, eventually leaving just a few years before the college became Leicester Polytechnic.
Mr Christopherson passed away in 1997, but had made an arrangement with his wife that part of her estate would be given to the University after her death. Mrs Christopherson sadly died in 2003. Her will revealed that the University would receive a lump sum, along with an extra amount as part of a discretionary fund which she had set up. In addition to this, the University also received several paintings by Mr Christopherson, which are now displayed in the Queens Building along with a plaque dedicated to the former lecturer.
The faculty of Art, Design and Humanities used the money from the Christopherson Fund to purchase graduating students’ work. This work became part of the ‘Christopherson Collection’; a faculty-based living archive, teaching resource and display collection.
Mr Christopherson’s generous gesture directly benefits current and future students and thanks to this donation, his legacy will never be forgotten.