Legacy Giving

Legacy Giving is one of the most significant forms of philanthropy worldwide. Every year, thousands of people choose to leave part of their estate to charitable causes, creating a lasting social impact that continues long after their lifetime.

Desmos brings this opportunity to Greece, enabling anyone who wishes to strengthen society by including charitable giving as part of their estate planning.

Since its establishment in 2012, Desmos has served as a trusted hub between donors and nonprofit organizations, identifying social needs and ensuring that every donation is used transparently, responsibly, and effectively to achieve the greatest possible social impact.

Through Legacy Giving, your generosity can continue making a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Legacy Giving important to Desmos?

At Desmos, we believe in the power of generosity and in the profound significance of leaving a lasting legacy that benefits future generations. This conviction, together with our commitment to honoring every donor’s wishes with the utmost care, responsibility, and respect, is what led us to establish our Legacy Giving program.

Do I need a will?

A will is not legally required, but it is the safest and most effective way to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes.

What is the best age to make a will?

There is no specific age. However, it is generally advisable to make a will once you acquire assets or take on family responsibilities.

What if I already have a will? Can I change it?

Εάν έχετε ήδη διαθήκη, μπορείτε να την επανεξετάσετε για να βεβαιωθείτε ότι ανταποκρίνεται στις τρέχουσες επιθυμίες και συνθήκες σας. Η διαθήκη μπορεί να τροποποιηθεί ή να αντικατασταθεί οποιαδήποτε στιγμή.

Where should I keep my will?

Your will should be kept in a safe and accessible place, such as with a notary public, in a bank safe-deposit box, or with a trusted individual. Depositing your will with a notary public significantly reduces the risk of loss or future disputes.

Is a will required if I wish to leave a gift to a nonprofit organization after my death?

Yes. Recording your charitable wishes in a will is the best way to ensure that they can be carried out as intended. To safeguard your wishes, your instructions should be clear, legally valid, and ideally prepared with the assistance of a lawyer or notary public. It is advisable to deposit your will with a notary public of your choice. You may also appoint an executor to oversee the implementation of your wishes.

How can I support one or more nonprofit organizations through my estate plan?

There are several ways to include a nonprofit organization in your estate planning. These include, for example:

  • Making a gift through your will
  • Naming a nonprofit organization as the beneficiary of a trust, fiduciary arrangement, or a foundation
  • Naming a nonprofit organization as the beneficiary (primary or contingent) of a life insurance policy

What types of gifts can I leave to a nonprofit organization?

There is a wide range of options, including:

  • A monetary gift
  • Shares, securities, or other investments
  • Proceeds from a life insurance policy
  • Works of art or jewelry
  • Real estate

Would this be subject to taxation?

Yes. Under current Greek tax law, inheritances to nonprofit organizations are subject to inheritance tax at a rate of 0.5% of the value of the inherited assets. This tax is payable by the beneficiary—in this case, the nonprofit organization. Depending on the nature of the gift, additional costs associated with accepting, administering, or realizing the assets may also arise. These costs are typically met from the gift itself.

As tax legislation may change over time, we recommend seeking advice from a qualified legal or tax adviser when planning your legacy gift.

Are there any restrictions if I am not a Greek citizen or do not live in Greece?

No. Neither your nationality nor your country of residence prevents you from making a legacy gift to support charitable causes in Greece.

However, because estate planning may be governed by different legal systems depending on your country of residence or nationality, we highly recommend that you seek advice from a qualified legal adviser in your own jurisdiction.

What type of gift is likely to have the greatest and most immediate impact?

In general, cash and cash-equivalent assets—such as bank deposits or short-term investments—allow nonprofit organizations to respond most effectively to pressing needs and advance their charitable mission. Other assets may also be valuable when they are particularly well suited to the mission and needs of a specific organization.

Conversely, gifts such as shares in privately held companies, properties in poor condition, certain works of art, jewelry, or other assets that are difficult to sell or costly to maintain, may place a financial or administrative burden on an organization rather than provide meaningful support.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount I can leave?

No. There is no minimum or maximum amount for a charitable gift made through a will. Every gift—regardless of its size—can make a meaningful difference.

What matters most is that your wishes are expressed clearly, realistically, and in a legally enforceable manner.

If you have a spouse, children, or, in certain circumstances, parents, Greek law protects their entitlement to a statutory share of your estate. For this reason, we recommend preparing your will or broader estate plan in consultation with your legal adviser.

Can a nonprofit organization decline my gift?

Yes. Like any beneficiary under a will, a nonprofit organization has the right to determine whether it is appropriate and feasible to accept a bequest.

Although rarely, under extraordinary circumstances a gift may be declined, for example, if it:

  • is subject to conditions that cannot be fulfilled;
  • is inconsistent with the organization’s mission or values;
  • consists of assets that involve significant costs and cannot realistically be sold or generate income in support of the charitable purpose;
  • would expose the organization to undue liabilities or risks; or
  • would create disproportionate legal, tax, or administrative burdens.

In any case, discussing your intentions with your chosen nonprofit organization before finalizing your will can significantly reduce the likelihood of any future difficulties.

Why should I include Desmos in my will?

By including Desmos in your will, you can leave a lasting legacy that continues to improve lives long after your lifetime.

Desmos has a proven track record of transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. We are committed to ensuring that every gift is directed where it is needed most and creates the greatest possible social impact. As a trusted and well-established nonprofit organization, Desmos is committed to honoring your wishes and transforming your gift into meaningful, lasting change.

If I decide to include Desmos in my will, what information should I include?

To ensure that Desmos can be notified of and accept your gift, your will should include the following information:

DESMOS NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION
HEADQUARTERS: The Municipality of Athens
ADDRESS: 71, Athinon Avenue, Athens 10173, Greece
GREEK TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN): 997460285
TAX OFFICE: KEFODE ATTIKIS

Should I let Desmos know if I intend to include it in my will?

Yes. Although it is not a legal requirement, we encourage you to speak with a member of the Desmos team before finalizing your will.

We can help you explore the different ways of making a legacy gift, discuss how your gift could best achieve the impact you wish to create, and help ensure that your intentions are reflected clearly in your estate planning.

I have already included Desmos in my will. Should I let you know?

While this is not required, it is strongly encouraged. If your will is executed before a notary public and includes Desmos’ details, the notary will notify the organization when appropriate. However, if you have prepared a handwritten will that is kept privately, informing Desmos of your intentions in advance may prove helpful. Any conversations or information you choose to share with us will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence.

Can I specify how I would like my gift to be used?

Yes, subject to certain conditions. You may indicate how you would like your gift to be used—for example, by supporting one of Desmos’ principal areas of work.

Because social needs and priorities naturally evolve over time, we encourage you to express your wishes in a way that provides Desmos with sufficient flexibility to achieve the greatest possible social impact while remaining true to the purpose you have chosen.

How does Desmos ensure that my charitable wishes will be respected?

Desmos is a well-established and trusted non-profit organization with extensive experience in managing charitable donations and implementing social initiatives throughout Greece. Working with non-profit organizations across the country, Desmos serves as a trusted hub for coordinating donations, resources, and social impact programs.

Transparency is one of our core values. We publicly share information about our work, governance, governing documents, annual reports, and financial statements so that donors can see how the resources entrusted to us are managed and used.

For Legacy Giving specifically, Desmos has established a dedicated Legacy Giving Committee responsible for reviewing the feasibility and overseeing the implementation of all legacy gifts. The Committee carefully evaluates each case to ensure that any proposed gift can be accepted and implemented in accordance with the donor’s wishes.

Once a legacy gift has been accepted, Desmos is committed to carrying out the donor’s wishes with transparency, responsibility, and effectiveness.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you would like to discuss Legacy Giving, please contact:

Emily Kern, General Manager, Desmos, emily@desmos.org, or/and
Lena Papalexopoulou, Vice-President of the Board, Desmos, lena.desmos@gmail.com

If you prefer not to contact us by email, you are welcome to call us on: +30 216 809 0840

Important Notice: The information provided on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice.

Depending on the nature of the assets you wish to leave and your philanthropic goals, Desmos may work with you to explore a tailored giving solution that reflects your wishes and supports the causes you care about most. These discussions may also take place in collaboration with your own legal, tax, or other professional advisers. In any case, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a qualified lawyer or notary public you trust, to ensure that your will accurately reflects your intentions and complies with the applicable legal requirements.