News Story

Did you know legacies account for almost one third of most charities’ income? Yet cultural charities are among the least likely to receive a legacy gift, with only five arts organisations featuring in the top 1,000 charities for legacy giving.

A lasting impact on BRB’s future

Over the past six years, BRB supporters have generously left legacies totalling £885,000. These gifts have enabled us to bring some incredible ambitions of the Company to life, from ensuring we can continue our fantastic Dance Track programme, to launching BRB2 and developing bold new works such as Black Sabbath – The Ballet.

In 2019, we were very generously left a legacy to support talent development by a donor who had, during her lifetime, supported apprenticeships for Elmhurst Ballet School students to join BRB. Her legacy directly supports an annual contract for one dancer from Elmhurst Ballet School to join BRB as an Apprentice.

Current BRB dancers Olivia Chang-Clarke, Sophie Walters, Marlo Kempsey-Fagg and Alfie Lee-Hall have all had their apprenticeships funded by the legacy.

Former Apprentice Sophie Walters performing in The Firebird pas de deux with Tom Hazelby during the BRB2 tour. Credit: Johan Persson 2026

Every legacy makes a difference

However, legacies can come in a range of sizes. In 2019, we were left a legacy by a generous donor who wanted to support BRB alongside a number of other charities. The donor first made provision for friends and family, then divided the remainder of the estate between 37 charities across the UK, of which BRB was one.

Legacies like these make a huge contribution to a range of charities, and being one of a generous donor’s passions is just as important to us as receiving a larger gift.

Helping ballet flourish for generations to come

Whether it’s an opportunity like the dancer apprenticeship, supporting brand-new productions or enabling young people to experience ballet for the first time, legacies have a significant impact on the work we are able to do. They help us grow and flourish for generations to come.

Gifts of all sizes support the work of the Company and enable us to plan for the future with confidence.

Join us online on 6 October to find out more

If you’d like to find out more about making a will and leaving a gift to charity, and about the impact that legacies can have, we invite you to join us for a free online seminar on 6 October. With the help of NBB Waldrons Solicitors, the seminar will be an opportunity to discover more about legacy giving and the difference it makes.

Click here to book your place.

For questions or more information, please contact GeorgiaDavenport@brb.org.uk 

Former Apprentice Alfie-Lee Hall performing in the Scheherazade pas de deux during the BRB2 tour. Credit: Johan Persson 2026