More people are choosing to leave estates not to family, but to causes they care about.

Why Give to Charity?

• Desire to make a lasting impact
• No close heirs
• Tax benefits

Examples

• Universities receiving multi-million-dollar donations from alumni estates
• Local shelters or churches named as beneficiaries

Considerations

• Clarity – Be specific about how funds should be used.
• Balance – Families may feel excluded if charity replaces heirs entirely.
• Legacy – Charitable giving is a way to extend values beyond one’s lifetime.

Philanthropic estates are reshaping how inheritances are viewed—less about wealth transfer, more about legacy.