Investing In a Future We Can Only Imagine.

A woman Scholar smiling at the camera in front of a whiteboard with mathematical calculations

A male Scholar in a blue jacket smiling at the camera, holding a book open against the backdrop of the Rhodes House library

A woman sitting on a sofa in Rhodes House with the sunshine streaming in from the window behind

A woman smiling at the camera against the backdrop of a medical scanner with a brain scan on a screen behind

Building the Future Together

Would you like to create a powerful link between your life experience and those Rhodes Scholars who will come after you? Investment in future Rhodes Scholars and your legacy will inspire those who, like you, want to use the gift of their Scholarship to help make our world a better place.

Remembering Rhodes in your Will is a catalyst for Scholars to come together to use their unique strengths to make a difference-big and small- in their communities, in their countries and around the world.

Get in touch with our team

Our team is here to help with any planned giving related queries.

Rachel Wood, Director of Development and Deputy Head of Campaign

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Eleanor Catchpole-Simmons, Development Associate

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An Invitation to Join Us As We Invest in the Next Century of Scholars

It's impossible to predict what path future Scholars will follow. But now, more than ever, we know our world needs bright young minds with the energy and commitment to work in the service of humanity.

We invite you to join our growing community of more than 100 Scholars and Friends of the Trust who have included the Scholarships in their Will. Together these bequests of all sizes support a global fellowship of Scholars who will make the world a more just and better place, not only for the 21st century but for the 22nd century too.

Join us in our commitment to tomorrow's potential.

My vision, my legacy...

Recognising the importance of legacy gifts - after all it was a bequest that started the Rhodes Scholarships and provided me with my unique experience - I wanted to contribute to their future sustainability. A legacy gift can be established in a variety of ways to provide flexibility and tax benefits in many countries. But most of all it is a way for me to pay it forward to future generations of Rhodes Scholars

Don Gogel (New York & Balliol 1971)

Charles Simkins (Transvaal & Balliol 1970)

Celebrating Charles Simkins’ (Transvaal & Balliol 1970) Bequest – Helping Launch the 10th Rhodes Scholarship for Southern Africa

Although we were saddened by the passing of Charles Simkins (Transvaal & Balliol 1970) in 2023, Charles' generosity and legacy live on through his bequest to the Rhodes Trust. His gift is a fitting tribute to a life well lived and honours his commitment to education, academic research, social justice, and the empowerment of South African youth.

After completing his MA at Oxford and his PhD studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, Charles pursued a distinguished academic career at the University of the Witwatersrand and was actively involved in the struggle to end apartheid through his roles in civil society organisations and social justice initiatives.

Throughout his life Charles remained deeply committed to creating a just and equitable society for all South Africans. He lived the values of the Rhodes Scholarship and helped to fight the world's fight until his final breath. Whilst we mourn his passing, we thank him for his commitment to the Trust and to future Scholars from South Africa.

His legacy will live on through them.

Legacy FAQs

We appreciate the many decisions you may consider when making your Will. Should you generously include the Scholarships, we commit to using your gift efficiently and for its intended purpose. We will respect your privacy, acknowledge your generosity and respond promptly to your questions.

Why leave a legacy gift?

What can my legacy gift support?

What is the Rhodes Society?

Who do I get in touch with? Critical Next Steps.

Join Our Community of Rhodes Society Members

How to make a bequest

There are many ways to include the Scholarship in your Will. The most popular and easiest is a simple bequest.

Stating a specific monetary or cash gift amount in your Will.
Designating a percentage of your estate.
Specifying a residual gift for all or part of your estate after your loved ones and debts have been accounted for.

Depending on your county's tax code, you may be able to include gifts of securities, retirement funds, life insurance or annuities, among other options.

There may be a separately incorporated Rhodes Trust charity in your country of residence that will allow your estate to receive tax benefits.

It is critically important that you use the correct legal name in your Will. Please get in touch with rachel.wood@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk for further information.

This information is of a very general nature and we always recommend you consult your legal/financial advisor before drafting or updating your Will.

Letting Us Know About Your Bequest

Below is helpful information related to some global constituencies. If you live elsewhere, please contact Rachel Wood at rachel.wood@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

We always suggest you consult your lawyer or financial advisor, and please also contact us to ensure we have the correct legal name as it can vary by geography.