Refugees flee persecution and violence every day in many parts of the world.

UNHCR is there to help.
You can be there too.

Consider making the UN Refugee Agency a beneficiary of your will or life insurance, or of a gift of financial securities. Contact us or your financial advisor to put yourself in the picture.

You can offer lasting support to refugees

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Making a lasting gift to help refugees is just as easy and even more meaningful. Below are various ways for you to consider leaving a legacy to support the UN Refugee Agency’s work for refugees.

To make a lasting gift, consider designing your financial plans to include refugees as beneficiaries. You can ensure that the rights of refugees remain protected, and that their basic needs are met by the UN Refugee Agency in the future. Perhaps you would like to donate a portion of your estate by making a bequest to UNHCR in your will. This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to leave a legacy to help refugees. Moreover, the tax benefits of a bequest can offer significant benefits to your heirs.

Insurance policies also offer an excellent mechanism to support refugees. You can transfer ownership of a policy to UNHCR, or name UNHCR as the beneficiary. There are numerous tax benefits to be gained by transferring an existing or newly purchased policy to the UN Refugee Agency.

Financial planners, trust companies and banking institutions offer a number of financial vehicles that can help to maximize your donations to UNHCR and maximize the tax credits you receive. In a charitable gift annuity, for example, you can make a large gift to the UN Refugee Agency and based upon your age and your personal financial situation, the UN Refugee Agency will guarantee you a monthly income stream for the rest of your life. The tax benefits of a charitable annuity depend upon the value of the negotiated monthly salary and the life expectancy of the donor (according to actuarial tables).

Another financial vehicle that makes sense for those who wish to make a large donation to the UN Refugee Agency is a charitable remainder trust. By investing in such a trust, you give the UN Refugee Agency irrevocable title to the assets in the trust, but the interest and capital gains earned on the protected funds are directed back to you. The tax benefits of a trust are immediate on the initial gift, although careful planning is required to minimize the tax implications of earned interest and capital gains on the trust.

You may also wish to realize the tax benefits of donating stocks and property to the UN Refugee Agency. The Canadian tax system offers preferential tax credits for the transfer of uncashed financial securities to support charitable work. Not only is this a legal way to minimize tax paid on appreciated assets, but it is also an excellent way to offer your support to refugees.

Contact us at UNHCR for more information, or for a free personalized proposal to suit your needs. We will work with you and your financial and legal advisors to ensure that your generosity offers the maximum benefit—both to you and your estate, and to refugees worldwide.

There are many ways to make a financial contribution to the UN Refugee Agency. You can make a donation online or make a regular monthly gift to offer ongoing support of our work.

Disclaimer: Please note that any tax advice or commentary offered by UNHCR should be confirmed by an independent financial or legal professional, and all significant financial decisions should be made in consultation with family members or heirs.