Kind in den Armen der Mutter

Legacies & gifts in your will

With an inheritance or a gift in a will made out to UNICEF, you can lay the foundation for a better future for children.

Many people want to leave behind something with a lasting impact and to change the world after they themselves are gone. For some, it’s a matter of giving something back out of gratitude. After all, most of us have experienced a great deal of love, care and safety throughout our lives.

Millions of children, however, have a completely different experience. They grow up in regions affected by crisis or in great poverty. By including UNICEF in your will or contract of inheritance, you can leave a lasting mark on the lives of children in need.

Bettina Junker

“Every beginning holds new possibilities. By making a donation to children in need, you lay the foundation for a better, more peaceful future.”

Bettina Junker, Executive Director of UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Give the gift of a new beginning

Children shape the world of tomorrow. They are our future. UNICEF is therefore committed to helping children in need, in Switzerland and worldwide. So that the next generation can grow up protected and develop to their full potential.

If you wish to include UNICEF in your will or contract of inheritance, there are generally two options open to you:

  • With a gift, also known as a legacy or bequest, you leave UNICEF a precisely designated asset, such as a fixed amount of money or specific tangible assets.
  • With an inheritance, you leave UNICEF a percentage of your estate. UNICEF thus becomes a co-heir alongside family members and people close to you.

As a non-profit organization, UNICEF is exempt from inheritance tax. You can therefore be sure that the full amount of your donation will support children in need.

Baby in Arm von Eltern

Contact us

Are you considering including UNICEF in your will or contract of inheritance? Would you like to learn more about how UNICEF would use your donation to help children in need? We will be happy to provide you with information and assist you in implementing your plans in accordance with your best interests.

Asa Sjöberg Langner
Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy
[email protected]
+41 44 317 22 35

Daniel Leibundgut
Head of Customer Service

[email protected]
+41 44 317 22 24


Frequently asked questions

Organizing your estate gives you the certainty that your assets will one day be used as you see fit. You can consider people close to you, as well as charitable organizations whose values you share.

A will or contract of inheritance enables you to create clarity with regard to your estate and avoid possible misunderstandings or even disputes.

A will is your last will and testament recorded in writing. To be legally valid, a will must be fully handwritten, dated and signed. A contract of inheritance, meanwhile, is an agreement between you and your future heirs. Contracts of inheritance must be notarized.

We will be happy to provide you with information about the legal provisions regarding inheritance. For example, compulsory shares for close relatives must be observed, and there are also certain formal requirements. You can find common questions and answers about inheritance here.