Most of us hope to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether through the lives we touch, the values we uphold, or the actions we take—legacy is about impact that lasts beyond our lifetime. One powerful way to ensure that your beliefs continue shaping the world is through legacy giving: including a charitable gift in your will.
Legacy giving isn't reserved for the wealthy or famous. It’s a quiet yet transformative way for anyone to support the causes that mattered to them in life—continuing their story of compassion, justice, or generosity long after they’re gone.
What is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving or bequest giving, refers to the act of leaving a portion of your estate—money, assets, property, or other valuables—to a charity or non-profit organization in your will.
This form of giving comes into effect after your death, but its impact can last for decades. It ensures that the things you cared deeply about—like education, environmental protection, equality, or public health—can continue to benefit from your support even after you’re no longer here to give in person.
In essence, legacy giving is your voice, your values, and your love for the world continuing to speak on your behalf.
Further reading: The Ethics of Charitable Giving: What to Look For
Why Leave a Gift to Charity in Your Will?
1. Make a Difference That Endures
- Legacy gifts often help fund the long-term work that non-profits can’t always support through short-term donations. Whether it’s building schools, funding research, protecting ecosystems, or feeding families—your gift can lay the groundwork for real, lasting change.
- Related: How Non-Profits Measure Success (Beyond Dollars and Cents)
2. Support Causes That Define Your Values
- Every person holds unique passions. Maybe you’ve always cared about animal welfare, or you’ve seen how mental health support can change lives. By leaving a legacy gift, you ensure that the causes closest to your heart continue to grow and flourish.
- Explore: The Power of Community in Health Recovery
3. Pass On Your Values to the Next Generation
- Legacy giving sends a powerful message to family and future generations: that giving back matters. It teaches by example, showing that we can live not only for ourselves, but for the good of others.
4. Give Without Sacrificing Today
- Unlike immediate donations, legacy gifts allow you to support a cause without impacting your current lifestyle or financial needs. You can provide for your loved ones and contribute to charity. It’s not a choice between one or the other—it’s an extension of care to both.
How Legacy Giving Shapes the Future
Think of legacy giving as planting a tree. You may not sit under its shade, but others will. You may not hear the laughter of the children it shelters or see the birds it houses—but its presence is felt long after you’re gone.
Some real-world examples include:
- A local artist leaves part of her estate to a community art center, ensuring future generations have access to creativity and self-expression.
- A lifelong teacher designates funds to a literacy foundation, allowing underserved children to receive tutoring and books. See more: The Role of Non-Profits in Educational Equity
- A former cancer survivor contributes to medical research in their will, advancing future treatments that could save lives. Learn more: The Power of Collective Action: When Communities Unite
These aren’t grand gestures reserved for the elite—they’re powerful, heartfelt decisions made by everyday people who chose to turn their legacy into a lasting force for good.
How to Include a Charity in Your Will
Creating a legacy gift is simpler than many imagine. Here’s how you can start:
1. Think About What Matters to You Most
- Consider the issues, communities, or causes that have shaped your life. Was there an organization that helped your family in a time of need? Is there a cause that reflects your values? Your gift should reflect what you believe in most deeply.
2. Choose What You Want to Give
- A specific dollar amount
- A percentage of your estate
- A particular item or asset (such as land, jewelry, stocks, or other valuables)
- What’s left after other gifts and obligations are fulfilled (this is known as a residual gift)
- Even a modest gift can create a ripple effect that lasts generations.
3. Consult an Estate Planner or Attorney
- Work with a professional to ensure your will is legally sound and reflects your intentions clearly. They can help structure your gift in a way that supports both your family and your chosen charity.
4. Inform the Charity (If You Wish)
- While you’re not required to tell the organization, doing so helps them plan for the future. Many non-profits will also honor your legacy—sometimes through special acknowledgments, commemorative plaques, or impact reports for your family.
The Bigger Picture: How Legacy Gifts Sustain Progress
Legacy giving does more than support a single organization—it plays a vital role in long-term community growth. Many non-profits use legacy gifts to fund future programs, build stability, and respond to emerging challenges. These gifts help organizations weather economic downturns, expand into new communities, and continue serving the most vulnerable.
A legacy gift may support:
- Health clinics in rural communities
- Housing for the elderly and disabled
- Scholarships for first-generation college students
- Legal aid for marginalized groups
- Environmental conservation in threatened regions
The scope is as wide as your vision for the future.
How You Can Start Today
If you’re thinking about creating a legacy through charitable giving, here are a few simple steps to begin:
- Start the conversation. Talk to your loved ones about your values and your vision for giving.
- Make a list of causes you believe in. Reach out to those organizations to learn how legacy gifts are used.
- Review your existing will or estate plan. If you don’t have one, this may be the time to create one.
- Take your time. Creating a legacy isn’t a rushed decision—it’s a thoughtful act of love and purpose.
Need ideas on where to give beyond cash? Read: Beyond Money: Other Ways You Can Support a Cause
Final Thoughts: A Life Remembered by Goodness
Legacy giving isn’t about writing a check—it’s about writing a chapter that continues after you’re gone. It’s a way to carry your compassion forward, to offer hope when you’re no longer present, and to let your values live on in action.
Every gift, no matter the size, tells a story. A story of someone who believed the world could be better—and chose to help make it so.
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave behind wealth. Sometimes, the richest legacy is the one that comes from the heart.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
