Leaving A Legacy

Future generations deserve to enjoy a healthy planet teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Planned giving, or a bequest, is the most effective way to contribute to the environment beyond this lifetime.

WWF is committed to working for a living planet. For 30 years, WWF-Hong Kong has been the city’s foremost environmental non-governmental organisation. We are contributing to a sustainable future through conserving wetlands, protecting migratory birds and advocating for a healthy marine ecosystem.

Our education programmes reach the general public and 65,000 primary and secondary students annually. In recent years, our scope of work has extended to mainland China and the Asia Pacific region. We need your generous support to continue our work for generations to come.

There are two main ways to make a bequest to WWF-Hong Kong: via a will or a life insurance policy. Prospective donors can give a specific bequest of a sum of money or asset; make a percentage bequest by listing the percentage of an estate to be left to WWF; or make a residual bequest of the remainder of an estate or a percentage of the remainder after specific bequests have been made.

Planned giving is a popular practice in the United States and Europe, especially in Britain. It is less common in Hong Kong. According to Dr Chris Ng, honorary consultant of the Registered Financial Planners, Hong Kong Management Office, “There isn’t sufficient promotion on insurance policy donation to charities here, and there is still a deep-rooted notion among the Chinese that one’s legacy should be left to one’s own children.” In 2005, the local insurance provider Life Care Movement began to promote planned giving as a means of charity donation, a great first step in raising awareness about planned giving.

Stephen Cheong U-tan became a policy donor six years ago. He made WWF-Hong Kong the sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy. “I’d like to make donations to some reliable charitable organisations after death as a contribution to society,” he says. “WWF is a mild and rational organisation that promotes environmental conservation in a non-radical way through negotiations and governmental policy advisory. I am reassured as a policy donor to WWF.”

The procedures of legacy or policy giving are not complicated, says Cliff Li Chi-yuen, a legacy donor to WWF-Hong Kong. “I was only required to name WWF as my beneficiary in the presence of two witnesses—a process no different from making a bequest to any other persons or organisation,” he says. “I know many people would like to support WWF, but they often have reservations about donating a significant proportion of their possessions during their lifetimes because of financial uncertainty. Being a legacy donor is a great alternative. You can contribute to a good cause even when you’re deceased.” Legacy or policy giving is a decision that can be made early on in estate planning because it does not create a burden on your current financial conditions or living standards.

By planning ahead and taking action, future generations will inherit a living planet.

Contact our Donor Service Team at 2526 1011 or wwf@wwf.org.hk