Crispin Ellison Bursary Award

Crispin Ellison Bursary Award
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How to apply

  1. Register an account.
  2. Start your entry (save it in-progress).
  3. Submit your entry to be in the running.
Best of luck!
 

For any questions, please contact us at awardssupport@smeeandford.co.uk or visit our FAQ page.

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This prestigious bursary, set up in 2026 and awarded by Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford in partnership with the Institute of Legacy Management (ILM), is named in memory of Crispin Ellison, a former director at Legacy Link who dedicated his career to advancing professional knowledge and standards in the legacy sector.

The bursary is a testament to Crispin’s vision: investing in people, sharing knowledge, and upholding excellence in legacy giving. It supports individuals currently working or volunteering in the charity sector who wish to further their professional development by completing ILM legacy management training.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the bursary, four awards will be granted this year: two at the Legacy Giving Awards (29 April 2026) and two at the ILM Conference (May 2026). Each winner will receive up to £1,000 towards ILM training.

Eligibility

  • Open to charity professionals working in or with legacy giving teams. Applicants from all sizes of charity may enter – please state your legacy team size and income total for the preceding year.
  • The bursary will be paid directly to ILM once training is booked.
  • It must be repaid in full if winners do not comply with ILM training terms.
  • Winners must complete training within 12 months of receiving the award.
  • Additional costs (e.g. revision classes or optional courses) are not covered.
  • A 200-word reference from a direct line manager or senior colleague must accompany the application.

Ambition

Show how the applicant is committed to developing their career in legacy management and to upholding high professional standards. Explain how completing ILM training will help them contribute to their organisation and the wider legacy sector.

Excellence

Demonstrate how the applicant already shows dedication, professionalism and a desire to learn. Highlight how they reflect Crispin Ellison’s values of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and integrity.

Achievement

Provide brief examples of how the applicant has made a positive impact in their role so far and how the bursary will help them build on these achievements. A 200-word reference from a direct line manager or senior colleague must accompany the application.

Crispin Ellison Bursary Award

START YOUR ENTRY

To find out more

For entry enquiries, please contact us at awardssupport@smeeandford.co.uk or visit our FAQ page.