Giving Tuesday and Legacy Giving: How to Make an Impact That Lasts
The holiday season is all about embracing the spirit of giving—and let’s be honest, it feels pretty great to give back! From Thanksgiving gratitude to the global generosity of Giving Tuesday, this time of year is packed with opportunities to support the causes we care about. But while many focus on donations and feel-good moments, there’s another, often overlooked way to make a lasting impact: legacy giving.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a way to balance out the consumer focus of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, making the holiday season a time to focus on generosity and community impact. It’s become a global movement that encourages people to support causes they care about—whether by donating, volunteering, or simply raising awareness. Giving Tuesday is about making a positive difference, and it has shown that even a single day dedicated to generosity can create a powerful ripple effect.
What is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving or leaving a gift in your will, lets you continue supporting your favorite causes after you’re gone. It’s a way to create a lasting impact on the organizations and values you care about. Legacy gifts can be monetary, but they may also include assets like property, stocks, or life insurance policies designated for a charity or nonprofit organization.
By including a charity in your will, you’re making sure that part of your estate goes toward meaningful contributions. Think of it as extending the spirit of Giving Tuesday into the future, helping your chosen causes long after you’re no longer around to do so directly.
Why Consider Legacy Giving on Giving Tuesday?
While Giving Tuesday is mostly about one-time donations, it’s also a great opportunity to think about the longer-term impact you’d like to make. Legacy giving takes your generosity a step further by creating a steady stream of support for nonprofits over time, helping them with long-term projects, endowments, or scholarships that need ongoing funding.
Taking a moment during the holiday season to consider your legacy can be meaningful. It’s an opportunity to think about how you want to be remembered and how your values align with your giving. This season, you can make a difference both now and in the future.
How to Get Started with Legacy Giving
Legacy giving doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can be set up at any point in life. Here are a few steps to consider:
Identify Causes Close to Your Heart: Think about the charities and nonprofits that mean the most to you. Whether it’s environmental conservation, education, health, or animal welfare, focusing on causes that resonate with your values will help shape your giving legacy.
Create or Update Your Will: Adding a legacy gift to your will is easy. You can designate a specific amount, percentage, or portion of your estate to go to your chosen charity.
Let the Charity Know: Informing the organization of your plan to include them in your will helps establish a connection and lets them express their appreciation. Some charities also offer special recognition for legacy donors, allowing you to become part of the lasting impact you’re creating.
Legacy Giving: A Gift for Future Generations
Legacy giving isn’t just a financial decision; it’s a promise to support the values that matter to you. It ensures that the things you care about now will still be supported for years to come. For nonprofits, these kinds of gifts are invaluable, helping them carry out their missions well into the future.
This Giving Tuesday, as you think about how you can give back, consider legacy giving as a unique and lasting way to make a difference. It’s a powerful way to continue your generosity, impacting future generations and helping nonprofits grow in meaningful ways.
At Epilogue, we’re here to help make legacy giving simple and accessible, so you can focus on creating an impact that extends well beyond today.
