Legacy Giving

Even though we all know it will happen one day, none of us like to think about the time when we will have to say goodbye to this world. Many people put off making a will because of this, but identifying who will inherit what you leave behind, whatever it is worth, is an important, meaningful part of living.

What is legacy giving?

Your will is a powerful document. It allows you to express your wishes and the values that are important to you, such as equality for LGBTI people.

Legacy giving is simply identifying a charity or organisation in your will to leave a percentage of your estate to, or a named sum, or some other asset such as securities, bank and securities accounts, life insurance, and real estate. For many people it is a beautiful and honourable gesture to give a lasting gift to a cause that is close to their hearts.

For LGBTI people, donating a legacy to organisations like ILGA-Europe means knowing that they will leave a meaningful impact towards a better world for future generations of people just like them, because they will be supporting our work towards a fair and just society that values and treats LGBTI people equally. As many LGBTI people have grown up vulnerable, feeling on the outside, not having equal rights, their contribution towards the happiness and security of LGBTI people has great meaning.

Why make a legacy in favour of ILGA-Europe?

If you want to, even after your death:

• Help guarantee that our work continues at the highest levels to bring about legal and political change for LGBTI people in every country in Europe and Central Asia.

• Help us defend at the highest levels against the negative impacts of governments who seek to scapegoat and deny LGBTI people.

• Help us provide grant aid to LGBTI organisations, either in times of emergency, or to help build an ever-stronger movement for the safety, equality and freedom of LGBTI people across Europe and Central Asia.

• Help us train LGBTI activists to be the very best they can be when working for equality in their own countries and localities.

• Help connect LGBTI activists working for positive change from all over Europe and Central Asia with each other.

• Give future generations of LGBTI people the chance to live in a world where they are valued and accepted as they are at every level of society.

How to give a legacy donation

There are different ways to make your will, and the rules will depend on what country you live in. The best way to find out is to do a web search for how to make a will in your country, and seek advice from a notary or solicitor. In Belgium, where ILGA-Europe are located, there are three types of will for residents, which are detailed here. 

Making a legacy donation to ILGA-Europe

If you are thinking of making a legacy donation in your will, please keep ILGA-Europe in your mind. We work with and on behalf of over 700 LGBTI organisations across Europe and Central Asia to bring about positive change for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Our commitment to their safety, equality and freedom is paramount, and has been our core work since 1996.

If you would like to make a legacy donation to ILGA-Europe, it is essential that details to correctly identify our organisation are included in your will:

Our legal name and address: ILGA-Europe, Rue du Trône/ Troonstraat 60, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Our business number: BE 0476.617.319

It is also essential that you contact us in writing  to let us know you have put a legacy donation to ILGA-Europe in your will. Please email our Partnerships Manager annas@ilga-europe.org or write to us at our address above, marking your letter for the attention of Anna Shepherd.

Do you have a notary with whom to make a will? If not, you can find one in Belgium here, or search for a notary or solicitor in your country of residence.