Danielle Harbaugh
Head of Fundraising and Communication
Leave a gift in your will to Mercy Ships
Get your free legacy guideLeave a legacy of hope and healing
A gift in your will can help make life-changing surgery possible and strengthen healthcare for generations to come. Our free legacy guide explains how it works, the choices available to you and what your future gift could make possible.
Why consider a legacy gift
A legacy gift lets you do something few decisions in life allow: shape the future on your own terms. Whatever you choose to leave, whether a percentage of your estate, a fixed amount, or a specific asset, it can become part of something much bigger: helping make life-changing surgery possible for people who need it.
- Create an impact that continues: A gift in your will can help make surgery possible today while strengthening care for tomorrow through training, partnership, and stronger healthcare capacity.
- Every gift matters: There is no minimum. A legacy of any size can help make a lasting difference.
- Your decision stays yours: You can shape, update, or change your gift at any time.
What could your legacy make possible?
A gift in your will can become part of something that continues long into the future, helping patients access specialized surgery while healthcare professionals strengthen expertise that can reach many more people.
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128,800+ life-changing surgical procedures provided
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56,500+ Professionals trained in their area of expertise
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35+ Years working alongside African partners
How to leave a legacy gift
Leaving a legacy gift in your will can be simpler than you might think. Take your time, explore what feels right for you, and know that we're here if you'd like to talk it through.
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Think about what matters to you
Start with the people and causes that are important to you and consider the legacy you would like to leave.
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Explore your options
A gift can take different forms and doesn't need to be large to make a difference. Our free Legacy Guide can help you understand the possibilities.
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Talk to us
If you have questions, our Legacy Manager is here for a confidential, no-obligation conversation and can help you understand the next steps. Mercy Ships Switzerland similarly directs people to its legacy manager for individual questions.
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Make your wishes known
When you're ready, include your chosen gift in your Will in the way that's right for you and your circumstances.
We live in a country with good healthcare. From this privileged position, I feel the need to help those who aren't as fortunate. A legacy gift is the best way for me to do that. That's why I've decided to remember Mercy Ships in my will — to help make care possible in Africa, where it's so urgently needed.
Writing your will? Start with our free guide
Whether you're making a will for the first time or updating one you already have, our free Legacy Guide is a genuinely helpful place to start — a clear, practical overview of what to think through and how the process works.
The kind of work a legacy sustains
Long-horizon funding pays for the part of the work that outlasts any single field service.
A legacy you can entrust to Mercy Ships
For more than four decades, supporters have helped Mercy Ships bring hope and healing through hospital ships. Your future gift will be handled responsibly, with transparency and care.
Talk to a legacy advisor
Ready to talk about what your legacy could make possible? Our team is here for a personal, no-pressure conversation.
Legacy team
FAQ
How do I leave a gift in my will to Mercy Ships?
You can include Mercy Ships in your will by naming us as a beneficiary for a percentage of your estate, a fixed sum, or a specific asset. Your solicitor or will-writing service can help you add this wording — or our legacy advisors can walk you through it.
Do I need to write a new will?
Often not. In many countries an existing will can be amended with a codicil, which is quicker and cheaper than rewriting it. Your solicitor or notary will advise which applies where you live.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. Your will stays entirely yours — you can update or change your gift at any time, for any reason.
Which Mercy Ships entity should be named?
This depends on where you live, because Mercy Ships is registered separately in a number of countries. Naming the wrong entity can create tax consequences or delay. Ask the office in your country for the exact registered name and number to use.
Are there tax benefits to legacy giving?
In many countries, charitable gifts left in a will are exempt from inheritance or estate tax, though rules vary by country. Speak with one of our legacy advisors or your financial advisor about what applies to you.
Can I say what my gift should be used for?
You can, though unrestricted gifts are the most useful. A will may take effect many years after it is written, and a restriction that made sense then may not match where the need is greatest when the gift arrives.
Is legacy giving complicated?
Not at all. Most people add a legacy gift as a simple addition to their existing will, often in just a few sentences, with help from a solicitor or free will-writing service.
Who can I speak to for advice?
Mercy Ships can't provide legal advice, but we're glad to support you through each step — from explaining your options to connecting you with a solicitor or will-writing service if you need one. Start with our free Legacy Guide for a clear overview, or reach out to us any time you'd like a personal conversation about what your legacy could achieve.
Your legacy can be part of their future
You don't need to make a decision today. Start by discovering what a gift in your Will could make possible.
