FAQs
Why should I leave a legacy to UNICEF?
How do I include UNICEF in my Will?
What can I give to UNICEF in my Will?
Who can I talk to about changing my Will?
How do I amend my existing Will?
What wording can I use in my Will?
What if I don't have a Will?
Should I tell you that I have included UNICEF in my Will?
Can my legacy be used for a particular country or programme?
Other questions
By leaving a legacy to UNICEF, you can rest assured that you are making a difference for future generations of children. You will change the lives of children from the world’s poorest countries by helping to provide nutritious food for hungry children, by helping to give vital medicines and vaccines to protect children from diseases, by helping to prevent young children from being trafficked into child labour and exploited, and by helping to educate them for a worthwhile future.
Your bequest will play a key role in protecting children from abuse and ensuring their rights are respected.
How do I include UNICEF in my Will?
There are two ways you can leave a legacy to UNICEF:
- You can write ‘UNICEF New Zealand’ into your Will. This means that when you have passed away, your legacy can be used immediately to improve the lives of children around the world, wherever the need is greatest.
- You can write ‘the UNICEF Children’s Foundation’ into your Will. This is our endowment fund for children, administered by renowned economist and UNICEF Ambassador Gareth Morgan. Gifts left to the UNICEF Children’s Foundation are invested permanently. As a lasting memorial to your support, the interest accrued is invested into our life-saving programmes for children.
What can I give to UNICEF in my Will?
We fully appreciate that looking after your loved ones is a priority for you. But a gift of any size to UNICEF will make a difference to many children’s lives around the world. Your legacy can include:
- A specific amount of money, or items such as shares or jewellery;
- A percentage of the value of your Estate;
- The residue of the Estate after provision for your family and others.
Who can I talk to about changing my Will?
John Daysh, UNICEF’s Bequest Manager, will be happy to talk to you about our life-saving work for children, and the contribution you can make to our vision of a world fit for children. You can call John free on 0800 243 575, or e-mail john@unicef.org.nz
If you want to amend or create your Will, we recommend that you talk to your legal advisor or Trust Company, who will ensure that your wishes to provide for the world’s children are clearly and legally stated.
If you don’t have a legal advisor or Trust Company, we recommend the Guardian Trust as a good contact to help you.
How do I amend my existing Will?
If you have already made a Will you can make a simple addition to include UNICEF by completing a form and taking it to your legal advisor or Trust Company. Download the Changes to my Will Form to leave a legacy to UNICEF.
What wording can I use in my Will?
Here is a suggestion for what you can write into your Will.
- Gift of a share in the remaining Estate
I give the rest/the whole of my Estate to my Trustee on trust. Out of this my trustee will pay my debts, taxes, funeral and Estate administration costs. My Trustee will transfer what remains (my remaining Estate) as follows: A ____ % share of my remaining Estate to UNICEF NZ for its work with children around the world. A receipt given on behalf of UNICEF NZ will be a sufficient discharge for my Trustee. - Gift of a specified amount of money or items
I give $______ or an item(s) of value ____ to UNICEF NZ for its work with children around the world. A receipt given on behalf of UNICEF NZ will be a sufficient discharge for my Trustee.
We recommend that you talk to your legal advisor or Trust Company, who will ensure that your wishes to provide for the world’s children are clearly and legally stated in your Will.
If you don’t have a legal advisor or Trust Company, we recommend the Guardian Trust as a good contact to help you.
What if I don't have a Will?
We recommend that you make a Will as soon as you can. Without a Will, the Government decides on the distribution of your Estate, which may not reflect your wishes. A Will is a way to show you care about your family, friends and the causes that are important to you. Making a Will can give you peace of mind, knowing that your special wishes are clear.
Should I tell you that I have included UNICEF in my Will?
We would appreciate it if you could let us know if you intend to, or already have, included UNICEF in your Will. This will help tremendously to plan ahead our long-term work.
This also gives us the opportunity to thank you for your generosity and compassion for children. We would like to celebrate your commitment by inviting you to become an esteemed member of UNICEF's Kora Lang Society. Your information will always be treated with complete confidence.
Can my legacy be used for a particular country or programme?
We respectfully recommend that you gift your legacy for general use for our work with children. This would be enormously helpful in ensuring UNICEF’s long-term programmes and emergency response for children can be nimble and adapt to changing circumstances. UNICEF will always use your legacy so that it has the best impact for children.
However, if you want your gift to be used for children in a particular country or programme, you can write this into your Will.
Please think carefully about this and phrase this as a request rather than a condition, because otherwise UNICEF may not be able to use your gift. For example, if you state the use of your money too specifically, e.g. ‘work with disabled children in northern Indonesia’, we may not be able to carry out your wishes.
Other questions
If you have any other questions please speak to our Bequest Manager John Daysh. You can call John free on 0800 243 575, or e-mail john@unicef.org.nz
