Leave a gift in your will to the Royal Society of Chemistry
A legacy can help create a bright, strong and hopeful future for the chemical sciences.
These gifts help us support and connect people across the chemical sciences, inspire future generations, and advance chemistry's contribution to solving some of the world's biggest challenges.
Every gift, no matter the size, can make a lasting impact for years to come.
James Diamond CBE CChem FRSC
I know my father would be delighted to see the difference his gift has made, and we hope many more members will consider leaving a gift in their will to ensure that the RSC remains at the heart of scientific innovation and advancement worldwide.
Ann Helsby, daughter of James Diamond CBE CChem FRSC (member for over 60 years)
Start a conversation
Contact our fundraising team with any enquiries relating to leaving a gift in your will and receive a guidance pack straight to your inbox.
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A straightforward, affordable way to create your will
We want to make planning for the future as smooth as possible, so we have partnered with Farewill to support you in writing or updating your Will.
Farewill are a wills, probate and funerals service. They combine specialist legal expertise with an easy online experience, helping more people like you access will-writing services.
Whether you're making your first will or updating an existing one, you can complete the process at a pace that suits you.
Your next steps
Writing your will with Farewill is designed to be straightforward.
1. Tell us about yourself
Answer a series of simple questions about your circumstances and wishes.
2. Create your will
Farewill will guide you through each step and help you build your will online.
3. Have it checked and completed
Your will is reviewed and you'll receive guidance on the final steps needed to make it legally valid.
The RSC has regularly updated us with progress reports so we have been able to see for ourselves the difference my father’s gift has made, not only to the individuals it has helped, but also to the wider work of the RSC in helping chemical science make the world a better place.
Ann Helsby, daughter of James Diamond CBE CChem FRSC (member for over 60 years)
Frequently asked questions
No. There is absolutely no obligation to leave a gift to the Royal Society of Chemistry when using Farewill.
Many people complete the online process in less than an hour, although more complex circumstances may take longer.
Yes. Support is available throughout the process on the Farewill website if you have questions. There is also a full will writing guide on their website.
Making a will is one of the simplest ways to make sure your wishes are known and that the people and causes that matter to you are looked after in the way you intend.
A will allows you to decide who should inherit your money, property and possessions, and who you would like to carry out your wishes as your executors. It can also allow you to make gifts to family, friends and charities.
Without a will, your estate will generally be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may mean that your money and possessions do not go to the people or causes you would have chosen.
Writing a will can give you peace of mind that your wishes have been clearly set out for your loved ones.
As part of our partnership with Farewill, you can write a simple will for free.
You can make your will online through Farewill's step-by-step service, with your completed will checked by a will-writing specialist. Farewill also offers a telephone service if you would prefer to speak to a specialist about your wishes.
It's a good idea to review your will regularly and whenever your circumstances change. You may want to update your will if you get married or divorced, have a child or grandchild, move home or experience a significant change in your finances.
If you have written your will through Farewill, you can update it when needed. You can also speak to a solicitor or other qualified professional about making changes to an existing will.
Remember to make sure your new will is correctly signed and witnessed, and that your previous will is revoked, to avoid any confusion about which version reflects your wishes.
Farewill is a UK will-writing provider offering online and telephone will-writing services. Through our partnership with Farewill, RSC supporters can make a simple will for free.
Farewill's online service guides you through the will-writing process step by step. Once completed, your will is checked by a will-writing specialist. If you would prefer to talk through your wishes, Farewill also offers a telephone service.
Farewill has won National Will Writing Firm of the Year at the British Wills and Probate Awards four years in a row, from 2019 to 2022.
A gift in your will can create a lasting impact on the future of the chemical sciences.
Your legacy could support the Royal Society of Chemistry's charitable work in education, research and policy, helping to inspire the next generation, support researchers and ensure chemistry continues to contribute to solutions to some of society's biggest challenges.
Whatever its size, your gift can help us extend the reach and impact of chemistry for generations to come.
The RSC, the importance of scientific work going forward and the provision of education, were all very important to my father during his lifetime. We therefore chose for his gift to support undergraduate research bursaries and technician grants.
Ann Helsby, daughter of James Diamond CBE CChem FRSC (member for over 60 years)
Leaving a gift to the Royal Society of Chemistry in your will is straightforward. If you're writing a new will, you can tell Farewill that you would like to leave a gift to the RSC as part of the process.
If you already have a will, you can speak to a solicitor or other qualified professional about adding a gift to the RSC or updating your existing will.
Our charity name is The Royal Society of Chemistry and our registered charity number is 207890 in England and Wales.
There are several ways you can leave a gift to the Royal Society of Chemistry. You could leave:
- A residuary gift – all or part of what remains of your estate after other gifts, debts and expenses have been dealt with.
- A pecuniary gift – a specific sum of money.
- A specific gift – a particular item or asset, such as property, shares or another possession.
You can choose the type of gift that best suits your circumstances and wishes. If you're unsure which option is right for you, we recommend speaking to a solicitor or qualified will-writing professional. You can request our guidance pack for more information.
Yes. You can add a gift to the Royal Society of Chemistry to an existing will.
Depending on your circumstances and the changes you want to make, you may need to update your existing will or make a new one. We recommend speaking to a solicitor or qualified will-writing professional to make sure any changes are legally valid and accurately reflect your wishes.
Yes. You can change your will during your lifetime, provided you have the capacity to do so and follow the appropriate legal requirements.
We understand that circumstances and priorities can change. If you have included a gift to the RSC but later decide you would like to change your wishes, you can update your will.
We're always happy to have a confidential and informal conversation about leaving a gift to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
You don't need to have made a decision about leaving a gift before getting in touch. Our fundraising team can answer your questions, explain the different ways you can support the RSC through your will and provide further information.
Start a conversation
Contact our fundraising team with any enquiries relating to leaving a gift in your will and receive a guidance pack straight to your inbox.
Related pages
Obituaries of RSC members
We acknowledge the contribution made to the chemical sciences by our members who have passed away.
Chemists' Community Fund
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