We are grateful for each and every gift you make to the school and and happy to speak with you about how you would like your gift or legacy best used.
You can make a gift of any amount securely online via NowDonate our online giving partner. Or if you would prefer to discuss personally how you would like to give and the purpose for which you would like it designated, please contact our Development Office.
George Heriot’s bequest of 1624 and the generosity of countless others since, has shaped the Heriot’s we know today. It falls to our generation to maintain and build on the legacy we have inherited to ensure that we hand the School to future generations in robust shape.
As Edinburgh’s oldest independent school, pupils benefit from an all-round education of exceptional quality. In November 2o2o, we were voted ‘Scottish Independent School of the Decade’ by the Sunday Times.
Our core income streams (fees) fund day-to-day running costs but are not sufficient to fund new initiatives nor can they provide long-term financial security for the Foundation – the beating heart of Heriot’s. At present, five per cent of the pupils at Heriot’s are Foundationers but we cannot guarantee that number long term. In 2015 we launched a long term fundraising campaign – Foundation400 with the aim of securing the education of Foundation pupils in perpetuity.
Ensuring a real social mix at Heriot’s is key and we want to continue the high level of bursarial support we provide to ensure that bright children without the financial means are able to access a Heriot’s education.
Many parents make significant financial sacrifices to fund a Heriot’s education for their children, and thus fee increases are aligned to necessary increases in core running costs and essential maintenance of the School only. We do not have the benefit of a substantial endowment generating income to fund new capital projects and Foundation places.
We therefore need those who care passionately about Heriot’s to support the school and the people it serves.
Gifts from UK taxpayers are eligible for Gift Aid, enabling us to reclaim an additional 25p for each £1 that you give. In addition, if you are a higher rate tax payer you can reduce the real cost of your gift through reclaiming the balance between standard and higher rates of tax.
| Your gift to Heriot’s | Total value of your gift to Heriot’s | Actual cost of your gift for 40/45% taxpayers |
| £100 | £125 | £75/ £68.75 |
| £500 | £625 | £375/ £343.75 |
| £1,000 | £1,250 | £750/ £687.50 |
| £5,000 | £6,250 | £3,750/ £3437.50 |
Regular gifts can be made monthly, quarterly or annually, either online via our secure donation page or by completing and returning this Gift Form.
For many UK taxpayers, giving shares to a charity is a tax-effective way of making a gift.
When making a gift of shares listed on any recognised stock market in the UK or overseas, the donor will not only avoid Capital Gains Tax liability but can also offset the full value of the shares against their Income Tax liability. The same principles can be applied to gifts of land, buildings and certain other assets such as an Authorised Unit Trust (AUT) and Open-Ended Investment Company (OEIC).
If you are interested in making a gift of shares, please contact the Development Office. Given that individual circumstances vary considerably from person to person, we recommend that in addition to talking to us you also seek the guidance of your accountant or financial advisor.
Perhaps you can offer mentoring and interview help in a specific employment area or with university interview practice, or it might be that you can offer specific work experience opportunities to S4 and S5 pupils.
We keep a note of former pupils and current parents who are willing to offer work experience and are happy to be contacted in a mentoring capacity. We are currently seeking former pupils and current parents who will give us permission for pupils to contact them to secure work experience, with a current need in the following areas:
If you would like to be considered for this, please email our Careers Advisor, who will be delighted to hear from you.
