Agenda for the day
Thursday 24th April 2025 - Hilton, Bankside
Your Awards Day at a Glance
| 09:30 - 09:45 | Arrive at Hilton Bankside and enjoy breakfast drinks with your colleagues from the sector. |
| 09:45 - 12:00 | Three themed panel discussions will discuss ways in which to boost the success of your legacy strategy in the year ahead. Please join in with questions to the panel members. |
| 12:00 – 13:15 | Pre-awards ceremony drinks reception on the balcony. Catch up with old and new friends from the legacy sector and take photos to remember the occasion! |
| 13:15 - 15:00 | Take your seats in the main room for lunch and awards ceremony. |
| 15:00 - 16:30 | Awards winners are announced by our celebratory host. |
| 16:30 | End of ceremony and awards day. Attendees can continue their celebrations & conversations in the hotel bar on the ground floor. |
The Excellence Forum at the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards
The Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2025 provides a unique platform to benchmark and learn about the incredible achievements of the legacy giving sector.
More than just an awards ceremony, the Legacy Giving Awards provide a valuable opportunity for learning and inspiration. Attendees of the Excellence Forum from 09:30 -12:00 will join shortlisted finalists, industry specialists, and members of the judging panel to examine the factors driving excellence, innovation, and impact in this vital and hardworking sector. It’s a rare opportunity to share knowledge and hear about the brilliant case studies and best practice examples that have emerged from this year’s entries.
Every Attendee Package offers the option to attend the Excellence Forum in person, or view recordings of the morning, to help you get the most from your Legacy Giving Awards experience. Places* at the Excellence Forum are limited to 200 places, so please let us know in advance if you plan to attend this part of the awards day.
| Panel 1 | “With A Little Help from My Friends”: Collaborative Approaches Legacies – Chaired by Richard Radcliffe, Radcliffe Consulting |
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Legacy fundraising thrives on collaboration! In this session, our panel will dive into how leveraging both internal and external expertise can take your legacy strategy to the next level. Drawing on real-world examples from this year’s entries and their own experiences, they’ll share insights on how organisations are tapping into available resources – from staff and volunteers to external partners and consultants – to create a legacy strategy that lasts. THEMES: Collaboration / Guidance / Resource & Investment
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| Panel 2 | “Never Ending Story” Creating Legacy Stewardship Excellence – Chaired by Ashley Rowthorn, Legacy Futures |
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In the world of legacy giving, the story doesn’t need to end when the donor’s gift is received – it can be the beginning of an enduring partnership. This panel will look at which of this year’s entrants are using innovative strategies for nurturing long-term relationships with legacy donors’ friends & families, outstanding stewardship strategies, and underline the value of first-rate stewardship. THEMES: Stewardship / Communication / Data & Insight
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| Panel 3 | “Beg, Steal, or Borrow”: Stand-Out Legacy Ideas 2025 – Chaired by Lucinda Frostick, Remember a Charity |
| In this session, we’ll shine a spotlight on the most innovative and impactful legacy campaigns, events, and strategies that left our judges in awe. This session will showcase the best of the best, offering fresh ideas and inspiration for your own legacy team. Whether you’re looking to elevate your supporter relationships or push the boundaries of what’s possible in legacy events, these stand-out examples will show you what’s truly possible when you think outside the box. THEMES: Excellence / Innovation / Inspiration With panelists:
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