Your Legacy, Your Values: Why Including Nonprofits in Your Estate Plan Matters

As we begin a new year, many of us take time to reflect on the legacy we want to leave

behind — not just for our families, but for the communities and causes we care most about. One of the most impactful ways to do that is through thoughtful estate planning. While most people associate wills and trusts with passing down assets to loved ones, including charitable giving as part of your estate plan can extend your impact far beyond your lifetime — especially for mission-driven organizations like Servants.

The Estate Planning Gap: A Surprising Reality

Despite broad agreement that estate planning is important, most Americans have yet to take this critical step. Surveys show that only about 30–35% of adults in the U.S. have a will or estate plan, leaving a vast majority without clear instructions for how their assets should be distributed after they’re gone. (Caring)

Even among those who do have wills, far fewer include charitable bequests. One industry estimate suggests that only around 12% of Americans have an estate plan that includes charitable giving. (Gitnux)

This gap isn’t just a statistical curiosity — it has real implications. Without a legally binding estate plan, state law — not your personal wishes — determines how your assets are distributed. That can lead to disputes, delays, and outcomes that surprise your loved ones at one of the most difficult moments of their lives. (Caring)

Why a Will Matters — for Family and Community

At its core, an estate plan protects what matters most. It ensures that your home, retirement accounts, life insurance, personal belongings, and other assets pass to the people you choose, in the way you intend. It also allows you to name guardians for minor children, designate trusted people to make financial or healthcare decisions for you if you’re unable, and reduce legal roadblocks such as probate. (Caring)

But estate planning isn’t just about protecting assets — it’s about clarity and peace of mind. Imagine the relief your family would feel knowing your wishes are clearly documented, and that you took intentional steps to safeguard their future.

Including Nonprofits in Your Legacy

One of the most meaningful choices you can make in your will is to include a bequest — a gift to a nonprofit that reflects your values and passions. These legacy gifts are powerful for two reasons:

1. They extend your impact beyond your lifetime. A bequest to a charity like Servants can help ensure our mission — serving low-income seniors and people with disabilities by repairing and improving their homes — continues long into the future.

2. They can provide tax benefits to your estate. Charitable gifts in wills or trusts are generally deductible from your taxable estate, which may reduce estate tax liabilities and help preserve more of your assets for both family and causes you support. (Fidelity Charitable)

   
   

There are many ways to include charitable giving in an estate plan: a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other bequests have been fulfilled. You can even designate particular programs or funds you’d like your gift to support. (Fidelity Charitable)

A Legacy That Matters

Estate planning may not be an easy topic, but it is one of the most generous things you can do for your family — and for the world you want to help build. As you think about the year ahead, consider pairing your financial care for loved ones with a legacy that reflects what you believe in.

At Servants, we are honored to partner with donors who choose to include us in their legacy plans. These gifts — often made quietly and without fanfare — have transformative power, ensuring that future seniors live with safety, dignity, and hope.

If you’ve been meaning to begin or update your estate plan, there’s no better time than the start of a new year. Protect what matters — and make your legacy count.