SUPPORT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MUSIC CREATORS
Leave a Legacy, a gift for every generation to come.
WHY LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL?
Music is so important to all our lives. Without the creators behind the melodies and lyrics, where would we be?
Music makes us feel better and plays a vital role in helping us stay positive, especially during difficult times. Legacies are vitally important and collectively help the Fund continue its work in supporting music makers.
We encourage PRS writers to make a Will so that their Estate, including any copyright interests and royalties, is distributed in accordance with their wishes and not left to the vagaries of intestacy law.
We want members to think about what happens to their copyrights and royalties on their death and after providing for family and friends perhaps consider leaving a gift to the PRS Members’ Fund to support our work and their fellow members who are suffering ill-health and financial hardship.
Together we can make a lasting impact and let the music live forever!
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT THE FUND THROUGH A LEGACY
Pecuniary gifts: a fixed sum of money.
Residuary gifts: a share of the estate.
Gift of royalties: members can leave any percentage of their PRS royalties to the Fund. It is also possible to leave MCPS and PPL earnings, publisher income, and other royalties.
Will writing notes, which deal specifically with bequests of royalties to the PRS Members’ Fund, are available on request. If you need help to find the wording you need to donate your future royalties, please contact us.
Why a gift of royalties is different?
The nature of a royalty bequest presents unique benefits for both the donor and the recipient.
Copyrights continue for 70 years after the death of the writer.
It is a heart-warming thought that years after death, a gift could buy a much-needed new pair of glasses for an elderly composer or pay rent arrears that stopped a struggling songwriter being evicted.
If you would like to know more about the impact you could have by leaving a gift to the PRS Members’ Fund in your Will or further information download our Make a Will guide.
“Thank you for your continued support, our work as musicians is important. It provides the soundtrack that recalls memories of better times and raises spirits in good times and bad, we share emotions when words cannot and pass stories through time that carry lessons we can revisit that are not concealed in books.”
OUR MAKE A WILL SERVICE TO MEMBERS
When making or updating your Will, we recommend you get professional advice from a solicitor.
“Make your Will For Good” – free and professionally drafted with our new partner Bequeathed. The simple way to make the right Will for you.
We all need an up-to-date Will, but it’s one of those jobs many of us put off. With Bequeathed, you can get started straight away. Just go online any time that suits you and follow the simple steps to create a draft Will.
A member of staff from one of their partner legal firms will then advise you in a free 30-minute appointment, in person or over the phone.
Once your Will is complete the firm will help you with getting it signed and witnessed.
There is never any charge for a standard Will, which is suitable for most people.
If your circumstances are complicated and you require further legal advice, the legal firm will explain what’s needed and give you a quote to consider.
Click here to start.
For more complex or international needs assistance can be provided by our partner media and entertainment law firm Simkins LLP.
Contact them at wills@simkins.com.
For further information regarding the Make A Will service, contact us at fund@prsformusic.com.
Watch our Make A Will film with Angellica Bell here.
THE LEGACY MEMORIAL
TOM SPRINGFIELD
1934 – 2022
Tom Springfield was an English musician, songwriter and record producer who was prominent in the 1960s folk and pop music scene, and wrote hits including Georgy Girl, A World Of Our Own, I’ll Never Find Another You and The Carnival Is Over.
When Tom passed away last July he bequeathed his future royalties to the PRS Members’ Fund to support the most vulnerable in the PRS community.
Click here to watch our 1-min tribute to Tom’s generosity and please consider making a royalties’ bequest in your own Will.
OUR PLEDGE TO YOU
Leaving a Gift in your Will is a special and personal decision. That is why we promise:
- We will continue to offer financial and welfare support to PRS songwriters and composers and develop our services to meet our members’ needs.
- We will use your gift wisely and cost-effectively so that it has the greatest impact for PRS songwriters and composers who suffer illness and hardship.
- Any personal information that you choose to give us will be handled securely and confidentially. We will always respect your privacy – you choose the frequency and ways we can contact you.
- Your contribution will not be forgotten. We will ensure our work continues to support songwriters and composers for generations to come.
