We rely almost entirely on the support of our members and the wider public to enable us to continue our work of exploring, recording and publishing Egypt’s heritage. Throughout our long history, some of our greatest work was made possible by legacies left by our supporters. If you leave us a legacy, you will become part of this great philanthropic tradition, and so become part of Egypt’s history.

Leaving a gift in your will

There are many different types of legacy. You may for example leave

A specific legacy a specific sum, or particular asset or assets from your estate

A residuary legacy all or a specified portion or percentage of your estate after all expenses and specific gifts have been paid

A reversionary legacy a gift of property or other assets which will be passed to the EES only after the life interest of another beneficiary has come to an end

or make the EES a beneficiary of a life assurance policy payable upon your death.

Sample wording

If you leave a bequest to the EES in the following words “I give to the Egypt Exploration Society (amount or nature of bequest) to be used for its general purposes.”, your gift could be put towards any of our core activities: fieldwork, research, education, training, publishing or archiving. If you would prefer to make a more targeted gift, then please contact us to discuss your options.

Although it can be simple to make a new will, or amend an existing will, we would recommend that you should take legal advice.

Inheritance tax

The EES is a registered charity and is exempt from tax so your estate will not have to pay inheritance tax on any gift left to it.  If you are a US taxpayer, please contact the London Office for information on tax-efficient bequests.

Gifts in action

In Egypt

In 2006 Michael Murphy bequeathed £23,000 to support work at Memphis. The result was a transformation in our understanding of Egypt’s early capital city.

In the UK

In 2006, the parents of Lucy Gura gave £40,000 in memory of their daughter. Their gift established the Lucy Gura Archive, which has preserved some of the oldest photographs of excavations in Egypt in the world.

If you would like to donate in memory of somebody then please contact us to discuss it further. 

Sharing your plans with us

We recognise that your future plans are a private matter and you may not wish to tell the Society about them. If, however, you would like to inform us of your legacy gift, or that you are thinking about making one and would like to discuss this,  please write to us at the London office or email [email protected]. This would allow us the opportunity to discuss any requirements with you and to welcome you into our circle of legators as a thank you for your bequest. 

Thank you for remembering The EES in your will