Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will Month? So, as you wrap up summer trips and before you face a fall full of obligations, this is a great time of year to create or update your will.
While everyone needs a will, only about 30% of Americans say they actually have one, according to the 2021 Wills and Estate Planning Study by Caring.com. The Community Foundation of Broward strongly recommends that you use National Make-A-Will Month as an opportunity to talk to your trusted professional advisor about wills and estate planning.
Wills aren’t about doom and gloom. Estate planning is about empowerment and peace of mind.
A will is a chance to protect your loved ones by naming a guardian for minor children or locking in care for beloved pets. A will is an opportunity to take control of an uncertain future by making financial and real estate plans now, instead of leaving it up to the courts to decide. If you are interested in charitable giving, including an estate gift in your will cements a legacy of making a difference – and it doesn’t cost anything in your lifetime.
The Community Foundation is a go-to resource to navigate charitable planning opportunities for you today and through your estate plan. We partner with you and your professional advisor to maximize your giving power and create endowments that will fuel your legacy of support forever.
If you value local philanthropy, one of the easiest planned gifts you can make is using a portion of your estate to support a charitable Fund, in your name, at the Community Foundation. You can do it by making a bequest to the Community Foundation through your will or trust. You can also name the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of an IRA, charitable gift annuity, life insurance policy and similar assets.
When you include the Community Foundation in your estate plan, you have the opportunity to join our Legacy Society, which includes more than 160 forward-thinkers who have promised $335 million in estate gifts that will shape a brighter future for Broward. As a valued part of our philanthropy family, Legacy Society members are honored at our annual Legacy Society celebration. Legacy Society members are also invited to other Community Foundation events, such as our Food for Thought gatherings where attendees learn about Broward’s big issues and the work of the Foundation.
At the Community Foundation, we know that creating a will is a powerful way for you to craft a legacy that reflects your values and makes a BOLD impact for the issues that matter most to you. We are ready to help you achieve all of your charitable goals.
Let’s Talk!
For more information about how the Community Foundation partners with you to help achieve your charitable goals, contact Jennifer Powers, Director of Philanthropic Services, at jpowers@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503, ext. 113
Click here for SAMPLE TESTAMENTARY LANGUAGE that can be used to support your philanthropy through the Community Foundation of Broward.
