Nansen Society Membership

Planned Giving

The Nansen Society: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

This special group created for USA for UNHCR supporters whose legacy gift will have a lasting impact on the lives of refugees is named for Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930) Norwegian explorer, humanitarian and the first High Commissioner for Refugees, appointed by the League of Nations. Nansen's commitment to resettlement of prisoners and refugees of World War I and the Russian Revolution was matched by his creativity and perseverance. When he submitted his final report to the League of Nations, he was able to report the resettlement of nearly a half million people. The document he created as High Commissioner, called the Nansen Passport, enabled thousands of undocumented refugees to be resettled safely, among them artist Marc Chagall, ballerina Anna Pavlova and composer Igor Stravinsky.

Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922, and when UNHCR created an award for outstanding humanitarian accomplishments, the award and medal were given Nansen's name. The first Nansen Refugee Award laureate was former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Nansen Society

Nansen Society members are leaving a lasting legacy to ensure we can continue our mission of protecting refugees and empowering them with hope and opportunity.

Please let us know if you have already remembered USA for UNHCR in your will or trust or by beneficiary designation. We want to thank you personally and include you as a Nansen Society member.

Free Estate Planning Tool

Join fellow USA for UNHCR supporters on Giving Docs, a safe, secure and free-for-life suite of estate plan essentials. If you choose to include USA for UNHCR in your estate plans, you'll be eligible for The Nansen Society benefits!

Get Started

Next Steps

  1. Contact Jane Nordell at 202-293-0434 or plannedgiving@usaforunhcr.org for additional information or to chat more about the different options for including USA for UNHCR in your will or estate plan.
  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
  3. If you include USA for UNHCR in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID.

Legal name: United States Association for UNHCR
Address: 1310 L St NW, Ste 450
Washington, DC 20005
Federal tax ID number: 52-1662800