LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

MAKE IT YOUR LEGACY TO PROTECT FREE EXPRESSION

A gift in your Will is more than a donation. It is a way to leave behind a lasting expression of what you believe in — and help ensure that writers, readers and free expression have a future.

A legacy gift to PEN International is a powerful way to continue supporting writers and protecting freedom of expression long into the future. There are several ways you can leave a gift in your Will, depending on your circumstances and wishes. 

YOUR LEGACY CAN HELP A WRITER KEEP WRITING 

Across the world, writers are censored, imprisoned, persecuted and threatened simply for expressing their ideas. PEN International stands with them — defending their right to write freely and helping ensure that their voices are not silenced. 

By leaving a gift to PEN International in your Will, you can help carry this work forward for generations to come. Your legacy can help protect writers at risk, defend freedom of expression and keep literature and ideas free to cross borders. 

LEAVE A SHARE OF YOUR ESTATE

One of the simplest ways to leave a lasting gift to PEN International is to leave a share of your estate.

This is known as a residuary gift. It means that, after your loved ones and other commitments have been taken care of, a share of what remains of your estate can go to PEN International.

You can choose the percentage you would like to leave, while making sure the people who matter most to you are provided for. Because it is a share rather than a fixed amount, the value of your gift can change naturally with the value of your estate.

THE LASTING VALUE OF YOUR LEGACY 

Leaving a gift in your Will is a deeply personal decision. It is an opportunity to provide for those you love while remembering a cause that reflects your values and the difference you want to make in the world. 

  • Your loved ones come first. You can make provision for the people who matter most to you, while choosing to leave something meaningful to a cause you believe in. 

  • You remain in control. You can continue to use your assets throughout your lifetime, and you can review and change your Will as your circumstances or wishes change. 

  • Your values can live on. A legacy to PEN International can help carry forward your belief in the importance of writers, literature and the freedom to express ideas without fear. 

  • You can help protect writers for generations to come. Your gift can help PEN International stand alongside writers who are persecuted, imprisoned or threatened for their words, and support the long-term fight for freedom of expression. 

  • Your generosity can have a lasting impact. A legacy gift can help ensure that, long into the future, writers are not silenced simply for speaking, writing or creating - and that people everywhere remain free to read, write and share ideas. 

GETTING STARTED: 3 SIMPLE STEPS 

1. Consider leaving a share of your estate.

A residuary gift allows you to leave a percentage of what remains of your estate to PEN International, while making provision for your loved ones.

If you’re in the UK: GOV.UK has a helpful Will-writing guide with information on how to make a Will and what you need to consider.

If you’re outside the UK or have assets in another country: Will and inheritance laws vary between countries. STEP is a global professional body for people working in trusts and estates and can help you find a qualified professional in your country.

2. Start a conversation.
If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift to PEN International in your Will, contact Paul Julien, Head of Development, at [email protected].

3. Leave your legacy.
Once your plans are in place, your gift can help safeguard PEN International’s work for the future - protecting writers and freedom of expression for generations to come.

Thank you for considering a gift that can help ensure that writers are free to write and that their words can continue to reach the world.