Kind in den Armen der Mutter

Inheritances and legacies

With an inheritance or a legacy to UNICEF, you are building the foundation for a better future for children.

Many people desire to leave something lasting behind and change the world beyond their lifetime. For some, it’s a matter of giving 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, live a different life. They grow up in poverty or regions affected by crisis. 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 opportunities. Donating to children in need builds the foundation for a better, more peaceful future.”

Bettina Junker, Executive Director of UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Leave behind the gift of new beginnings 

Children shape the world of tomorrow. They are our future. Therefore, UNICEF supports children in need in Switzerland and worldwide. So that the next generation is empowered to develop their full potential.

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

  • With a legacy, you leave UNICEF a precisely defined asset, such as a fixed amount of money or a specific asset.
  • 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 tax-exempt. This means that your donation can be used to full effect to support children in need.

Baby in Arm von Eltern

Contact us

Are you considering including UNICEF in your will or inheritance contract? Would you like to learn more about UNICEF and how we use your donation to help children in need? We are glad to provide you with more information and assist you in implementing your plans according to your wishes.

Daniel Leibundgut
Head of Customer Service
[email protected]
+41 44 317 22 24


Frequently asked questions

Settling 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 last will includes your final wishes. To be legally valid, a last will must be fully handwritten, dated and signed or notarized. A contract of inheritance, meanwhile, is an agreement between you and your future heirs. Contracts of inheritance must be notarized.

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