Planning Your Legacy
In honor of National Estate Planning Awareness Week, Tiffanie Purvis General Counsel & Senior Philanthropic Advisor for The Community Foundation shares a few tips about how to get a head-start on planning your legacy.
October 19–23 is Estate Planning Awareness Week—a good time to ask a question many of us put off: What will my story say after I'm gone?
Estate planning is often seen as paperwork: wills, trusts, and beneficiary forms. But at its heart, it's about care. A thoughtful plan protects the people you love, ensures your wishes are honored, and spares your family from having to guess at decisions during a difficult time. It's also an opportunity to put your values to work long after today.
As a fundholder at The Community Foundation, you already know what it means to make a difference in our region. Your fund has supported neighbors, strengthened organizations, and helped build a community where more people can thrive. Including The Community Foundation in your estate plan is a natural way to carry that impact forward.
Planned gifts can take many forms, and most are simpler than people expect:
A bequest in your will or trust that adds to your fund, creates a new one, or supports Community Foundation initiatives for the Greater Washington region
A beneficiary designation on a retirement account, bank account, or life insurance policy
A gift of appreciated assets, such as securities or real estate, that can offer tax advantages
A successor plan for your fund, so your giving priorities continue with your family or in your name
A legacy gift doesn't have to be large to be meaningful, and it doesn't have to change your lifestyle today. It simply ensures that the causes you care about continue to be supported, with The Community Foundation stewarding your gift responsibly and adapting to the community's needs over time.
Ready to get started?
We've created resources to help you begin the conversation with your family and your advisors.
Download our Estate Planning Guide for a practical overview of the key documents, questions to consider, and ways to build charitable giving into your plan.
Visit our planned giving website to explore giving options and see how others have chosen to leave a legacy.
Our team is always glad to talk through your ideas, confidentially and with no obligation. Whether you're just starting to think about your legacy or you're ready to update your plan, we'd be honored to help.
To schedule a conversation, contact Tiffanie Purvis or Olivia Hsu at legacy@thecommunityfoundation or 202-955-5890.