Older Germans increasingly want to support a good cause with a legacy donation

1 in 5 people in Germany aged between 50 and 70 can imagine leaving a charitable bequest in their Will, according to the 2024 Donation Monitor. This rises higher among those who have donated in the last 12 months, with nearly 1 in 3 willing to leave all or some of their inheritance to a charitable cause.

The Donation Monitor was commissioned by the German Fundraising Association and conducted with the initiative “My Legacy Does Good. The Apple Tree Principle”. For 2024, it surveyed 2,674 people aged 50-70 and included questions on legacy giving for the first time.

The Monitor reveals that the vast majority of respondents – almost 90% – are aware that they can leave their inheritance, or part of it, to a charitable organization.

Willingness to leave a charitable bequest is higher among those aged 50 to 59 at almost 24%, while among members of this age group who have donated in the last 12 months, 32% can imagine leaving a charitable legacy.

The most popular causes for potential legacy givers are animal welfare (40%); environmental and nature conservation (27%); and child and youth welfare (24%).

Of those who cannot imagine leaving a legacy to a charitable organization, 72% said they primarily want to use their inheritance to provide for their relatives, while around 20% also believe that their inheritance is too small and can’t therefore achieve anything.

Larissa Probst, managing director of the German Fundraising Association, commented:

“The new insights we are gaining with the help of the Donation Monitor and the “My Legacy Does Good” initiative are highlighting significant social opportunities. A positive approach to aging is combined with shared responsibility for the future beyond one’s own lifetime.”

Susanne Anger, spokesperson for the “My Legacy Does Good. The Apple Tree Principle” initiative, which brings together 26 nonprofit organizations in Germany added:

“Many people are increasingly looking for alternative ways to pass on their values to the next generation. Therefore, the desire to leave one’s legacy to a good cause holds significant potential for the common good, because many future testators want to give something back to society.”

Picture: Press conference with (from left to right) Susanne Anger, spokesperson for the initiative “My Legacy Does Good. The Apple Tree Principle,” and Larissa Probst, managing director of the German Fundraising Association