Saturday, July 25, 2009

Your Legacy And Charitable Giving


When you use the term philanthropy, many people think it does not apply to them but to the very wealthy. However, most people do see themselves as charitable. Well, philanthropy and charity are one in the same thing. You often are charitable to those things that matter most to you. In your display of charity, you are expressing a part of yourself, a part that can be captured in your estate planning. It is your personal legacy.

For many, one of the most important part of a personal legacy is philanthropy/charitable. But it is seldom just about the amount of the check or the impact the gift has on taxes. It is about the personal legacy story and the portion of the story that the charitable gift completes.

I have many clients who are committed to the idea of higher education and making it more accessible and afforable to others. As a result, they often want to provide a bequest in their will or establish a trust which would represent their legacy. They feel a greater sense of connection to the causes and educational institutions to which they give, and they are better able to articulate their values and life experiences that led them to their philanthropic/charitable choices. As a result, philanthropy/charity can provide the added benefits of both a teaching tool and a treasured family tradition.

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