HOPE FOR THE WORLD
YOUR LEGACY FOR THRIVING STUDENT MINISTRY
Thank you for considering a gift to IFES in your will or estate planning. We are encouraged to have supporters like you, who stand in a long line of faithful witnesses, longing for God’s mighty acts to be declared among the next generation
(Psalm 71:18).
You can change the world by leaving a legacy gift to IFES.
Is that a brash overstatement? If you’ve ever supported IFES or one of its national movements, we expect you’ll agree that it’s not.
Here’s why:
University students are future politicians, pastors, and parents. Many graduates will become leaders in business, science, and the arts. You know what difference the gospel can make – that if they place their trust in Jesus and follow him as Lord in all of life, they will shape the future for years to come.
Through student ministry, God opened my eyes to life in Christ. Thanks to a conference held by IFES movements in French-speaking Africa, I repented of a life with no regard for God and started a new adventure with the Lord. I’m now seeking to live God’s way, committed and determined to serve him.
This is why we’re here – to give students everywhere the opportunity to encounter Christ and thrive into the future.
In partnership with faithful supporters like you, we’ve been working for over 75 years to see a vibrant student witness on every campus in every corner of the world. To achieve this, we’re pioneering, strengthening, and connecting indigenous, self-led student movements.
The need for your support is as great as ever:
Students have always been at a formative stage in life, navigating questions of meaning, truth, justice, and faith. But today’s digital connectedness has intensified that search, with Generation Z showing a significant spiritual openness. Alongside, a steep 20-year rise in tertiary education students across the world means that millions more are now searching.
This is why a gift in your will can transform lives and change the world long beyond your lifetime.
When Jesus told his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the good news…”, that to me is the story of IFES. No longer able to “go” bodily, I get much joy from praying for and giving to the “gospelling” of the whole world.
Now that ministry is at work in around 180 countries, I feel very blessed to be part of that “taking the Gospel to all the world” — through the university. And, to think that my small estate will keep on furthering that “all the world” discipling, I am richly blessed.
Inspired by the tree in Psalm 1, our current strategy is guided by four “thriving together” priorities:
Thrive in our witness
We desire to thrive in our witness, to see students reaching students with the good news, to rejoice as thousands come to faith in Jesus every year.
Thrive in whole-life commitment
We aim to thrive in whole-life commitment, to see students equipped to influence the university, the church, and society for the glory of Christ.
Thrive on new ground
We long to thrive on new ground — to see Christian student ministry in countries, cities, and campuses where no witness yet exists.
Thrive into the future
We want to thrive into the future — to be a fellowship of national movements that are strong, healthy, resilient organisations.
We’re deeply grateful for the part you play in this shared mission and global fellowship. Thank you for considering a legacy gift to ensure thriving global student ministry for subsequent generations.
I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
PSALM 71:18
YOUR IMPACT FOR YEARS TO COME
For more than 75 years, Christian students, graduates, staff workers, and supporters across IFES have equipped the next generation of students for campus witness.
Maybe you came to faith or learned to serve through your national movement’s ministry. Maybe you know someone who served with IFES overseas. Maybe you’ve been faithfully praying or regularly giving over many years.
Whatever your past connection, we’re delighted that you’re considering how this stage of your story can be part of the big, life-transforming, world-changing story of IFES.
This is what you can do through your kind and visionary gift (click to open):
Equip students to confidently and creatively share the gospel
After a prayer event on IFES World Student Day, three students in the IFES movement in Armenia felt compelled to share God’s Word on campus.
The only problem?
Campus Bible study groups are not permitted! Students interested in studying Scripture together must head off-site to the movement’s office.
So, the students decided to write encouraging verses on sticky notes and leave them on walls around the university. Peers were soon reading, smiling, and discussing God’s love and Christ’s strength.
A visit from the IFES Scripture Engagement team also encouraged the movement to develop a ‘participatory drama and TV interview’ approach to their office Bible studies:
Participants are invited to closely analyse a narrative text in small groups by imagining themselves as one of the characters in the story. Then, chat show style questions tease out the significance of what they’re thinking and feeling – and how that applies to their lives.
Both committed believers and seeking friends love exploring the Word in this way. At a recent study on John 13, one student remarked:
“It was touching to read the story through Jesus’ eyes. It made me feel the love and care he had for his disciples – and also for us.”
Your legacy gift can equip students like these to thrive in witness.
Empower students and graduates to live with integrity for Jesus in all of life
Even though students in Nepal face pressure from parents and society to graduate and be successful, many lack motivation – so says Sudarsan, a graduate of the IFES movement there.
In his experience, many students skip classes and cheat on exams. Few have hopes of a good career inside the country – emigration is on everyone’s mind.
But the IFES movement and an e-learning course from IFES Scripture Engagement have helped him see how his faith can bring purpose to all of life.
“Even though unemployment is high and salaries are low, we believe this country was given to us by our Lord and feel that we must stay and give something back.
“In a society where corruption is common, a Christian worker who refuses to take a bribe or a nurse who treats patients with extra love is a radiant witness of Jesus.
We are training students to see that their future profession or workplace is their mission field. We want Christian engineers, nurses, doctors, teachers, and government officers working with excellence and ethics.”
Through school, campus, and graduate groups, Sudarsan and volunteers like him are shifting the mindset through Scripture and mentoring relationships.
Your legacy gift can empower students to thrive in whole-life discipleship.
Encourage the launch of new student groups on unreached campuses
When Mayerlis started her studies in San Miguel, El Salvador, she couldn’t join an IFES-linked group on campus – because there wasn’t one.
But a grant from IFES has helped the national movement fund a pioneer staff worker, Sindy, who recently graduated from another university in San Miguel.
During her studies, she attended a national movement event where God challenged her to see a student mission field. On return, she invited some classmates to a Bible study group – and they came.
Mayerlis has caught a similar vision for her campus. But it can be hard:
“These days students feel more isolated, more focused on study, unsure how to relate with others.”
So, Mayerlis and Sindy are building bridges. On Valentine’s Day, they offered students “love letters” with love-filled Bible verses – timely encouragements for the many students facing economic pressures and coping with families split apart by emigration.
After following up contacts, Mayerlis is now leading a small group.
“We’re not simply reopening groups. We’re reclaiming ground! Conversations that begin about homework and end up reflecting on God’s purposes… Sitting in the middle of campus with open Bibles, naturally speaking God’s name in university spaces… That’s reclaiming ground for the kingdom!”
Your legacy gift can encourage students and staff like these to thrive on new ground.
Enable student movements to grow stronger across generations
As staff worker in the IFES movement in Kenya, Ben supports around 4,000 Christian students.
He says that today’s digital saturation exposes them to competing belief systems and theological confusion. Many are also burdened by anxiety, social fragmentation, and academic pressures. The guidance he can give student leaders is therefore crucial for the health of the movement.
“Gen Z and Gen Alpha are searching for truth that’s authentic, understandable, and lived out. Their questions are deeply personal and contextual. So, we need staff who are spiritually grounded, theologically equipped, and pastorally sensitive.”
Ben is one of many staff workers from national movements in Africa who have benefitted from the annual IFES Institute for Staff Development and Training.
“We need to help students know the truth and live it – to shape witness that’s visible not only in Christian Union gatherings but also in classrooms, hostels, workplaces, and all of society.”
“Thanks to what I learned through the Institute, I’ve initiated, revived, and strengthened theological engagement programs within Christian Unions. This has helped students develop deeper engagement with Scripture and theological reflection, equipping them to live out their faith more confidently and consistently.”
Your legacy gift can enable staff and movements like these to thrive into the future.
HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY
You can leave a gift to IFES in various ways, including:
Gift in your will or trust – naming a specific sum of cash, property (real estate), or stocks, or a percentage of your estate once all other payments and bequests have been made.
Charitable beneficiary designations – naming IFES as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, investment fund, or retirement savings plan.
With your support and by God’s grace, we will thrive together as a global fellowship – more students will hear about Christ, more students will be discipled and trained for lifelong faithfulness, and more national movements will be pioneered, supported and strengthened. Thank you for this incredible gift.
For supporters in the UK 🇬🇧
When writing or changing your will it is recommended that you seek advice from a solicitor. You can contact Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship to find a Christian solicitor working in wills/probate in your area. Web: lawcf.org/lawyer-search or Tel: 07495 966480
You can leave a gift to IFES when you write your will for the first time or by adding a clause to an existing will (a codicil).
When leaving a legacy, you can choose to:
- Leave a portion of your estate once all other payments and bequests, for example to family and friends, have been made (residuary legacy).
- Leave a specific sum of money (pecuniary legacy).
Leave possessions, shares, or property (specific legacy).
Yes, leaving a gift to charity could reduce inheritance tax due on your estate. Please ask a solicitor for more details.
Please use the following details:
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students,
5 Blue Boar Street,
Oxford,
OX1 4EE
England and Wales registered charity number 247919.
We understand that making a will is a very private matter, but we would be delighted to answer any questions about IFES ministry. Jill Bain and the IFES Supporter Relations team can be contacted on 01865 263777 or by email at supporter.relations@ifesworld.org
For supporters in the Canada 🇨🇦
When writing or changing your will it is recommended that you seek advice from a legal professional like a lawyer, or in some provinces a notary.
You can leave a gift to IFES when you write your will for the first time or by adding a clause to an existing will (a codicil).
When leaving a legacy, you can choose to:
- Leave a portion of your estate once all other payments and bequests, for example to family and friends, have been made.
- Leave a specific sum of cash, real estate, or stocks.
Make IFES a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, RRSP or RRIF.
A planned gift like a legacy can offer tax and other benefits. Please ask a legal professional or financial advisor for more details.
Due to the complexities of giving money to an organisation outside Canada, please ask the InterVarsity Canada gift planning team for guidance on the best way in which to word a gift to IFES in your will. You can contact them via https://ivcf.ca/donate/planned-giving/ or call 416.443.1170 / Toll-free: 1.800.668.9766.
We understand that making a will is a very private matter, but we would be delighted to answer any questions about IFES ministry. Jill Bain and the IFES Supporter Relations team can be contacted on +44 1865 263777 or by email at supporter.relations@ifesworld.org
For supporters in the USA 🇺🇸
When writing or changing your will it is recommended that you seek advice from a legal professional. Your church may be able to recommend a reputable lawyer or ask a trusted friend or family member for their recommendation near you.
Trusted partners in gift planning include:
- National Christian Foundation – www.ncfgiving.com
Barnabas Foundation – www.barnabasfoundation.org
You can leave a gift to IFES when you write your will for the first time or by adding a clause to an existing will (a codicil). For advice on language to include email supporter.relations.usa@ifesworld.org
When leaving a legacy, you can choose to:
- Leave a portion of your estate once all other payments and bequests have been made.
- Leave a specific sum of cash, real estate, or stocks.
- Make IFES a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, investment fund, or retirement savings plan.
Other planned giving options may include:
- Retirement plan assets or life insurance policies
- Donor advised fund (DAF)
- Gift from IRA
Appreciated securities
A planned gift like a legacy can offer tax and other benefits. Please ask a legal professional or financial advisor for more details.
Please use the following details:
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students/USA, Inc.
PO Box 46007, Madison, WI 53744
Tax ID number: 26-3538114
We understand that making a will is a very private matter, so we would be
delighted to answer any questions about legacy giving. Contact Heather Connolly and the IFES/USA Supporter Relations team by phone at +1 (608) 348-6234, or by email at supporter.relations.usa@ifesworld.org
We understand that making a will is a very private matter, but we would be delighted to hear from you to answer any specific questions about IFES ministry or leaving a legacy, or simply so that we can thank you for your care for student ministry.
Outside the USA, call Jill Bain and the IFES Supporter Relations team at +44 (0) 1865 263777 or email supporter.relations@ifesworld.org
You can also download our legacy leaflet for different regions:
By giving to IFES, you will support a ministry that’s equipping Christian students not only to speak the truth but also to adorn it by the way they live.