Promoting Charitable Bequests

A significant number of individuals choose to allocate a portion of their estate to charitable causes through their wills. In a notable collaboration, the organizations Apotheker ohne Grenzen (AoG) and Tierärzte ohne Grenzen have established a new initiative called Vermächtnis ohne Grenzen. The primary aim of this alliance is to enhance public awareness regarding charitable bequests.

The organizations stress that creating a will allows individuals to preserve their values and ideals beyond their lifetime. By deciding how to structure their inheritance and which individuals or organizations to support, individuals can make a meaningful impact and contribute to a better future.

In the absence of a will, the statutory inheritance laws outlined in the German Civil Code come into play upon death. However, these laws do not always align with the deceased's wishes. If no heirs can be identified, the state inherits the estate.

To promote awareness about charitable bequests, the alliance has developed resources available on its website, including a guide and a checklist for drafting and organizing a will. Additionally, an inheritance calculator is provided to assist individuals in determining the distribution of their estate and identifying the shares of eligible heirs. This tool also offers insights into the statutory inheritance share and indicates which portions can be freely allocated through a will.

In response to numerous inquiries about how to incorporate charitable donations into wills, the two organizations founded this alliance in 2024.