Behind the scenes with … FirstClass & Legacy Monitor

Legacy Foresight is the UK’s most prominent legacy market analyst that specialises in benchmarking, research and analysis to generate insights and data for the UK’s legacy market.


Its annual benchmarking consortium programme, Legacy Monitor, has been designed to monitor, analyse and forecast trends in legacy giving. To do this, it draws on data from 81 charities, which accounts for almost half of the UK legacy market by legacy income.


Of the 81 charities that form the consortium, 69 use FirstClass, which makes data retrieval a robust and efficient process for 75 per cent of its members.


But how is this achieved? How do the remaining 25 per cent contribute to the report? And what exactly goes into providing critical data that’s used to underpin a highly regarded industrywide report?


Here, Sean Nelson, Project Manager and Priti Parmar, Client Support & System Testing Consultant at FirstClass, explain.


Sean: There are number of aspects to the Legacy Monitor programme. However, the two main components are the quarterly benchmarking and the annual health check. For both strands, our job is to act as the go-between by taking charities’ data, sense-checking it and supplying it directly to Legacy Foresight.


Priti: At the start of the year, Legacy Foresight provide us with a list of dates and deadlines that we and the charities must adhere to. These form the backbone of the entire programme for the whole year. For example, it means that we know when to issue the first emails to charities, asking them for specific data, when to chase them and when to issue the second round of emails. Working with so many charities, there has to be this structure in place to make data collection at this level manageable.


“The majority of the data supplied to Legacy Monitor comes direct from charities’ FirstClass legacy software. This data can be extracted and transferred easily and efficiently, and is almost always complete and robust. For charities that don’t use FirstClass, the process can be more time consuming and more data quality checks are required”


Kathryn Horsley, Director of Insight at Legacy Foresight


Sean: We begin by grouping the charities into two groups: FirstClass users and non-FirstClass users. For the non-FirstClass users, the emails are bespoke as we attach the respective charities spreadsheet containing previously supplied data covering the last six years. The charity add data for the latest quarter & update the historical data if required.  FirstClass users are provided with a blank spreadsheet that is populated with data copied directly from reports from FirstClass.  We ask for pecuniary, residual and other income/bequests spanning these timeframes.  We have also recently starting requesting additional data for high value legacies.


Priti: Generally speaking, once the charities have completed and returned the spreadsheets, it’s our job to review the data, check the figures and spot any anomalies.  For example, if the figures are unusually low or high compared with previous years, we’ll flag it with the charity, which generally has a reason for this. We’ll then log the reasons and include any other comments when passing that charity’s data on to Legacy Foresight.


Sean: With FirstClass, there is no need for charities to copy and paste their data into the spreadsheet. The charity simply runs the necessary reports, which takes five minutes compared with the vast amount of time non-FirstClass users will need to manually locate and input the same data. If a charity fails to supply their data, we have to ask Legacy Foresight to estimate the figures on their behalf. However, we’ll always give them advance warning of our intentions – and this is usually prompts them to supply a completed spreadsheet.


Priti: Once we have all the data – the FirstClass reports and the spreadsheets – we consolidate it and place it in the Cloud in such a way that it can be manipulated by Legacy Foresight, so that if they want to create tables and graphs, for instance, they can. The Legacy Monitor team then go through it all with a fine toothcomb and use the data and insights to produce the report that our industry knows and trusts.


“If you really want to understand the dynamics and performance of your legacy income, then you need access to as much robust data as you can possibly acquire. FirstClass is not only a tool that allows its users to do just that, but combined with the Legacy Monitor programme, it also has the capacity to empower charities to make more informed, strategic decisions for their legacy programme.”



Kathryn Horsley, Director of Insight at Legacy Foresight


Thinking about maximising your organisation’s legacy gifting programme? Interested in speaking with the UK’s legacy management software specialists? Contact the FirstClass team on +44(0)1257 272730 or email info@firstclass-software.com

Inspiring Legacies with RCS

By Fiona Paton • November 24, 2025
Charities are experiencing a major shift. Supporters now expect digital-first, mobile-first communication - they want to engage in ways that feel personal, transparent, and effortless. Social media is great for sharing impact stories, but when it comes to deeper, more meaningful conversations - like inspiring someone to leave a gift in their Will - charities need something more powerful and more trusted. Traditionally, mobile messaging has been used for quick text-to-donate campaigns or sending reminders. But imagine if that same channel could nurture long-term relationships, build trust, and spark legacy pledges. That’s exactly where RCS (Rich Communication Services) can make a meaningful difference. RCS is the first major upgrade to mobile messaging in 20 years. It offers an enhanced, more interactive experience compared with SMS, giving charities a way to reach supporters with messages that feel modern, secure, and genuinely helpful. Here’s why RCS is so relevant for legacy fundraising: Secure & trusted: Your charity’s name and logo appear as a verified sender, giving supporters instant reassurance that your message is authentic. Connected & seamless: Messages land directly in supporters’ native messaging inboxes on Android and iOS — no apps to install and no additional steps. Engaging & interactive: You can add images, buttons, carousels, and track engagement in real time, making each message a richer opportunity to inspire and inform. For charities, this means you can reach warm, highly engaged audiences — those most likely to consider a gift in their Will — with content that feels personal, trustworthy, and uplifting. Instead of a plain text reminder, imagine sending a beautifully branded message containing a story of impact, a short video, or a simple button to learn more about pledging a legacy. It’s a small upgrade in channel, but a big step forward in supporter experience. Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for mobile messaging. And the timing couldn’t be better. Legacy giving in the UK reached £4.5 billion in 2024 , a 9 percent increase on the previous year, and forecasts show legacy income is set to more than double by 2050 as the Baby Boomer generation finalises its estate planning. The opportunity is significant — but only if charities adopt communication tools that match how supporters want to connect today. With over 600 UK brands already using RCS , and early adopters seeing up to three times more engagement than SMS , the question isn’t whether charities should embrace RCS. It’s why wait at all? Bring your messaging to life and get started with RCS today. Get in touch for a journey towards richer messaging, better engagement, and higher conversions

The Hidden Power of Legacy Income

By Fiona Paton • November 18, 2025
Imagine a supporter who believes in your mission so deeply that they decide to make it part of their legacy. Long after they’re gone, their gift continues to fuel your work, carrying forward their values and trust in your cause. That’s the hidden power of legacy income - it’s not just funding, it’s a lasting bond between donor and organisation, built on loyalty and commitment. Beyond Paperwork Legacy gifts are one of the most impactful and emotionally significant forms of giving. They represent trust, loyalty, and a donor’s lasting commitment to your cause. But with that trust comes responsibility, and complexity. Managing legacy income isn’t simply about tracking paperwork. It’s about honouring a donor’s final wishes while ensuring their gift makes the greatest possible impact. Yet, many charities still rely on outdated tools or manual processes to manage gifts in wills. The consequences? Delays in processing Missed opportunities to maximise value Unnecessary risks that can erode donor confidence Why a Dedicated Legacy Income System Matters A modern, dedicated system transforms the way organisations handle bequests: Structure → Clear processes using best practices that reduce confusion and errors Visibility → Transparency across teams, ensuring everyone knows the status of each gift Confidence → Reliable data that builds trust with donors, families, and stakeholders This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about safeguarding relationships and ensuring every legacy gift fulfils its intended purpose. Who Benefits? Whether you’re a charity, non‑profit, or higher education institution , getting smarter about how you manage legacy income is vital. With the right system in place, you can: Reduce administrative burden Protect against risk Unlock the full potential of legacy giving The Results of Smarter Legacy Income Management When charities and non‑profits adopt a dedicated legacy income system from FirstClass, the impact is clear: Faster processing & rapid access to records → Gifts are managed efficiently, reducing delays and ensuring funds reach the cause sooner. Income dashboards & financial reports → Real‑time visibility into pipeline, trends, and performance supports confident decision‑making. Customisable templates → Flexible tools that adapt to your processes, reducing admin and saving time. Contact records → Centralised donor and executor information strengthens relationships and ensures transparency. Reduced risk → Accurate records and structured processes protect against errors and safeguard donor trust. Seamless CRM integration → Works smoothly with key CRM partners, ensuring data flows without duplication. Smee and Ford integration → Direct connection to industry‑leading probate data for complete oversight. Stronger relationships → Families and executors feel reassured that gifts are handled with care and transparency. Legacy gifts are too important to be left to outdated processes. By adopting smarter tools, you can honor donor trust, reduce risk, and unlock the full potential of legacy income. Ready to transform how you manage legacy income? Get in touch with us today to see how our solutions can help you build confidence, efficiency, and growth for the future.

FirstClass goes Global

By Fiona Paton • November 4, 2025
The background International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) was founded in 1969, with the aim of stopping the commercial hunt for whitecoat seals on the east coast of Canada. IFAW has grown into a charity that works across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. IFAW is dedicated to building a world where animals and people can thrive together on a healthy planet. Through its work in the fields of biodiversity conservation and wildlife rescue, IFAW has had a major impact on ecosystems and communities around the world. With a third of the charity’s income stemming from legacies, IFAW has been using FirstClass to streamline, manage, and monitor this crucial revenue stream from its UK office for over 10 years. However, its international counterparts were using disparate systems that were incurring significantly more administration time than would have been required when using one standardised legacy management platform. In 2025, the decision to implement FirstClass across six new international territories was taken.