Remembering Robinson

As Robinson College approaches its 50th anniversary, Remembering Robinson invites alumni and friends to reflect not only on the College's remarkable first fifty years, but on what it will mean for generations to come.

Our College was founded through the extraordinary generosity of David Robinson, whose vision was to create a new kind of Cambridge college: academically ambitious, modern and open to talent regardless of background. Robinson was the first Cambridge college to be founded from the outset as a co-educational community for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Fifty years on, that commitment to opportunity, community and innovation remains at the heart of College life.

Many alumni and friends choose to remember Robinson in their Will, helping to ensure that future generations of students can continue to benefit from the opportunities and experiences that have defined the College since its earliest days.

For many, this way is a natural continuation of a relationship with the College that has endured long after graduation, and a way of ensuring that the values and opportunities they cherish continue to flourish.

Leaving a gift in your Will is, of course, an entirely personal decision. Once you have provided for your loved ones, remembering Robinson in this way offers an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the future of the College, often without affecting your finances during your lifetime. We are deeply grateful that you are considering remembering Robinson in your plans for the future.

Those who choose to remember the College in this way are warmly invited to join the Crausaz Wordsworth Society, recognising their shared commitment to Robinson's future.

Communicating your intentions

Your Will is understandably a personal matter and we fully respect anyone's decision to keep this private.

You can download your College's Legacy Brochure and may wish to return a Legacy Pledge Form. If you would like to discuss your intentions in confidence, please contact:

Ryan Cullum

Regular Giving and Legacies Officer

rc371@robinson.cam.ac.uk / development-office@robinson.cam.ac.uk

+44(0) 1223 339036

What types of legacy can I leave?

There are three principal ways of Remembering Robinson in your Will:

Residuary:	After debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests have been paid, you leave all or part of the remainder of your Estate to the College. Many people choose a residuary gift because it is simple and flexible. As it represents a proportion rather than a fixed sum, it is not affected by inflation and adjusts naturally over time.
Pecuniary:	You leave a fixed sum of money to the College. As inflation may reduce the value of a pecuniary gift over time, you may wish to review it periodically or consider linking it to inflation.
Specific:	You leave particular assets to the College, such as property, land, stocks and shares, or other valuable possessions.

Legacy gifts can be directed towards a particular area of College life should you wish. We would be pleased to discuss your intentions in confidence to ensure that your wishes can be fulfilled as intended.

Unrestricted gifts are especially valuable, providing the College with the flexibility to respond to future opportunities and challenges, and to direct support where it is most needed.

As with all matters relating to your Will, we recommend seeking independent professional advice.

Why leave a legacy?

Supporting future generations

Legacy gifts help to ensure that future students can benefit from the opportunities, experiences and sense of community that have characterised Robinson since its foundation.

Sustaining excellence and opportunity

Your support strengthens the academic and intellectual life of the College and helps Robinson continue to attract and support outstanding students and staff.

Providing for the future

Legacy gifts provide long-term stability and flexibility, allowing the College to plan confidently for the future and respond to new opportunities and challenges.

Continuing your connection with Robinson

For many alumni and friends, remembering Robinson in their Will is a lasting expression of a relationship with the College that has endured long after graduation.

Does leaving a legacy to charity affect my tax liability?

Yes. As a registered charity (1137494), gifts left to Robinson in your Will are normally exempt from Inheritance Tax.

Because charitable gifts are deducted from the value of your Estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated, they may reduce the overall tax liability of your Estate. In some circumstances, leaving a proportion of an Estate to charity may reduce the rate of Inheritance Tax applied to the remainder of your Estate.

As individual circumstances vary, we recommend seeking independent professional advice.

Suggested wording

I give to the Warden and Fellows of Robinson College, University of Cambridge (registered charity number 1137494) ('the College')

the residue of my Estate; or
_ _ _ _ _ % of the residue of my estate; or
the sum of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ [amount in words]

for the general purposes of the College and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Bursar or other authorised office for the time being of the College shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my Executors.

As with all matters relating to your Will, please seek independent professional advice.