No man with his wisdom could
have done more; no man with his
wisdom should have done less.
Kurt Hahn CBE, 1886-1974
The Importance of Lifetime Recognition
We believe that making a commitment to the future by leaving a legacy should not be recognised purely through acts of remembrance. Those who have chosen to endow that future should be both recognised and thanked in their lifetimes. It is for this reason that Gordonstoun has created The Kurt Hahn Foundation.
Membership of the Foundation is open to all those who have signified their intention to make a bequest to the School.
A gesture of this sort is often private and personal and supporters may choose not to be recognised individually as members of the Kurt Hahn Foundation, the membership of which will otherwise appear in the School's literature each year as a mark of the gratitude of the Gordonstoun community.
Kurt Hahn Foundation gatherings will be held from time to time at which you will have the opportunity to meet fellow members and keep abreast of the School's current developments and future plans. These are informal and well-attended functions in places of special interest or with a particular link to the School. KHF lunches or receptions have been held at Buckingham Palace, in Browns Hotel in Mayfair, the New Club in Edinburgh and on board Ocean Spirit when docked at St Katharine Docks in London.
We very much hope you will wish to become a member of this valued and important group supporting Gordonstoun.
Why leave a legacy to Gordonstoun?
The quality of education that Gordonstoun is currently able to bestow upon its students has been made possible by the generosity of past students, parents and other friends of the School. Leaving a legacy today enables the School to plan with greater confidence for future generations.
Your legacy can enhance the general endowment of Gordonstoun or support a particular project of special significance to you.
Many OGs have already taken the important step of joining teh Kurt Hahn Foundation.The thoughts of just two members follow:
"I am pleased to have included a provision in my Will to benefit Gordonstoun in the future. I hope that benefit will occur a long time from now so I have made my bequest index-linked! I only spent a little over two years at Gordonstoun but it was an intensely active, formative time that I have since come to realise did a lot to shape my adult life. My prospective financial contribution is modest but every little helps".
Stephen Gale-Batten (1971 Round Square)
"I am leaving a legacy to Gordonstoun in my Will because they certainly proved to me that "More is in me"! I thank Gordonstoun for giving me belief in myself and the moral courage to get out and do something with my life, instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen".
Joe Ellison (1945 Hopeman Lodge)
Tax Efficient Giving/Inheritance Tax
A Legacy left to Gordonstoun by way of your Will is free of Inheritance Tax (which would otherwise be payable on any assets in your estate, including your home, over a threshold of £300,000). Legacies left to spouses are exempt from Inheritance Tax but legacies to children and others are not. The gift to a named charity or charities can be a specific amount or the residue of an estate (i.e. what is left after all bequests, debts and expenses have been settled).
N.B. Tax benefits are only applicable to UK taxpayers. Individual circumstances may vary. Please consult your tax or financial advisor. Inheritance tax threshold figures as of January 2008.
Writing your Will
You can write your Will in several different ways (see below), leaving a fixed amount of money, a bequest in kind or the residue of your estate. If you have already made a Will you can make a simple addition or codicil to your existing will. You may add more than one codicil to your Will.
You will find further information and advice on writing a Will in the column to the right.
A gift to Gordonstoun is a gift that will endure
If you decide to leave a legacy to Gordonstoun please inform the Gordonstoun Campaign Office by completing a Legacy Form (available from the Campaign Office) and sending it to the School. Your pledge is not legally binding but is a statement of your present intention. By informing us of your intention we can more securely plan for generations to come.
Our pledge to you
A Living Legacy is a pledge made during your lifetime in favour of Gordonstoun. In return for this undertaking:
- We ensure that your bequest is applied only to the fund or project you care most about.
- You will become a member of The Kurt Hahn Foundation and receive invitations to Foundation events.
- We will publicly acknowledge your generosity as a Foundation member unless you prefer to remain anonymous.
View the Kurt Hahn Foundation brochure:
KHF/Legacy brochure
Please contact the Campaign Office if you would like further information or wish to speak to the Campaign Director.
Thank you for supporting Gordonstoun.
Gordonstoun Schools limited - Scottish Charity no. SC037867.
Recognised as a charity by the Inland Revenue.
Company registered in England no. 288105.