Home page Charitable bequests: What you should know
Would you like to use your inheritance for a good cause and make a charitable bequest? It's important to choose a transparent and trustworthy organization. We'll show you how to recognize this. You can also find out more about the benefits of a charitable legacy donation.
Most well-known organizations in Germany are trustworthy and very transparent in their work and donor communication
Strict quality standards apply, especially for non-profit organizations, which are regularly reviewed
You can use these quality standards to identify which organization suits you and your values
In addition to practical tax advantages, a charitable donation in your estate or will has further benefits
Clarity and (legal) certainty, advice and service as well as the opportunity to pass on your own values are some of the advantages of leaving a legacy for a good cause
Giving part of your estate to a charitable organization is a selfless and generous gesture. This is because the nature of inheritance only applies to a limited extent in this case: You may share the concerns, commitment and values with an organization, but the relationship of trust that one has with the immediate family circle can be difficult to build with an organization.
With your family, friends and other relatives, you know who will receive something from your estate. Perhaps you know exactly who would be happy to receive what.
To ensure that the generosity of any legacy donation is reciprocated transparently and effectively, you should take a close look at the organization you like. You can use the following list of questions to find out whether an organization meets your values and is trustworthy.
A reputable organization provides regular reports on its activities, projects and how the donations are used.
We publish this information in the form of our Impact Report.
In addition to membership of the "Transparent Civil Society Initiative" or the PHINEO seal of approval, there are other seals of approval that can be an indication of a reputable and transparent organization. Organizations that bear this seal voluntarily commit to strict quality standards with regard to their use of funds, advertising and accounting in accordance with the award of the seal.
Wilderness International is a member of the "Transparent Civil Society Initiative", bears the "Wirkt" seal of PHINEO and has signed the voluntary commitment of "Transparency International e.V." to disclose our actions in the form of 10 points. We have also established a strict Code of Conduct .
The articles of association are the heart of a non-profit organization, in which the basic rules, objectives, structures and non-profit status are anchored. The articles of association should be published and accessible.
You can view our articles of association here.
If you have a specific wish as to how your legacy donation should be used, a specific purpose can be agreed. The organization of your choice should make this option available to you.
We will be happy to check with you to what extent it is possible to earmark your donation. Our statutes provide the framework. If your heart beats for a specific protected area, for example, there is nothing to stop you from earmarking your donation.
A detailed and informative website stands for transparency and professionalism. The website should not only contain the statutes and annual reports, but also present specific project presentations, success and impact stories and the team.
You can view the Wilderness International website at your leisure via the homepage.
The ability to make direct contact with the organization and with questions about estate donations should be a prerequisite for your involvement.
We look forward to meeting you and telling you more about our foundation and wilderness conservation in Peru and Canada.
Donation-based organizations have an obligation to their donors. This also applies to information. That is why a credible organization regularly reports on projects, successes and news. This ensures transparency and trust.
You can find Wilderness International on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube, where we share news with you, as well as in our magazine and via our newsletter.
Concrete proof of the impact of projects or successes is an important sign of transparency. This allows you to understand what donations are being used for and whether they are having an impact in accordance with the statutes.
Transparency, traceability and impact are crystal clear at Wilderness International: for every euro donated, we protect 1 square meter old-growth forest - permanently. Our donors receive a certificate with the exact geo-coordinates of the protected forest area for every donation. Our "Wirkt!" seal from Phineo also confirms our measurable success in climate and species protection.
Administrative costs are all expenses that do not flow directly into the statutory project purposes, but are necessary for the smooth and professional operation of the organization - such as IT, personnel administration or marketing expenses.
According to the DZI, the following administrative cost ratios apply:
- Below 10%: "low"
- 10% to under 20%: "appropriate"
- 20% to 30%: "acceptable"
- Over 30%: "unacceptably high"
Our administrative cost ratio is 5%. In concrete terms, this means that we use 5 cents of every euro donated for administrative purposes.
View of the Peruvian rainforest and our research station.
Supporting an organization and thus a vision for life is not just a good feeling. It has concrete advantages. We will show you what these are below.
With a legacy donation to a charitable organization of your choice, you support what is important to you. Be it nature and animal protection, intergenerational justice or sustainability - a donation in your will sets an (eternal) example.
For example, you enable Wilderness International to preserve further protected areas in the Amazon rainforest and temperate rainforest forever and protect them for future generations. So you are passing on your values to the people who come after you.
Settling your own estate with a will is easy. You can prepare well for the writing and ultimately only need a pen and a sheet of paper. Settling the estate is also generally straightforward.
Many people report that they feel almost liberated once they have settled their own estate. Knowing that everything will be clarified, divided up and dealt with safely after death is a huge relief.
It can also provide inner peace to deal with one's own finiteness in this sober way.
Even if it is less complicated than it seems, dealing with your own mortality, German inheritance law and other formalities can be overwhelming. A key advantage of donating your estate to a charitable organization is therefore that you are always well advised and do not have to shoulder this process alone.
If you have any questions, uncertainties or important concerns, we will be happy to assist you.
It's a great feeling to know that you can immortalize yourself with a legacy donation. Whatever project or organization you want to support, most charitable structures are designed to last.
This is especially true for Wilderness International: your donation protects forests, animals and plants forever. You even know in advance how large your protected area will be.
Tax advantages should not be neglected. Estate donations to charitable organizations are always exempt from inheritance tax. This has advantages for all parties involved:
