One of the most meaningful conversations I have with donors is about what they actually want their wealth to do in the world.
In my work as Director of Legacy Giving, I’ve seen firsthand how people’s thinking about inheritance and legacy is shifting. More and more, the people I work with aren’t simply planning to pass everything to their heirs. They’re asking harder, more interesting questions: What does my family actually need? What kind of legacy do I want to leave? And how do I prepare the next generation to receive and steward wealth thoughtfully?
If you haven’t revisited your estate plan recently, now is a good time. Here are three trends worth knowing about.
Sometimes heirs don’t need it or want it.
It may sound surprising, but there are situations where it makes good financial sense for heirs to decline an inheritance. This Wall Street Journal article explains how legal disclaimers can give families post-death flexibility, allowing assets — especially tax-heavy ones like traditional IRAs — to pass to contingent beneficiaries in a more efficient way. It’s a nuanced strategy, but one worth discussing with your estate planning attorney.
Strategic giving is increasingly local giving.
Across my career, I’ve watched donor priorities evolve. Today, donors are more intentional than ever — focused on outcomes, personal values, and long-term impact rather than broad or reactive giving. And increasingly, they want to see the difference their generosity makes close to home. That’s a shift I find genuinely exciting, and it’s one I see reflected in the fundholders I work with here in the Sacramento region.
Hands-on involvement and proactive planning go hand in hand.
New research shows that donors who use Donor Advised Funds are significantly more likely to volunteer their time, especially locally. That combination — frequent giving, personal involvement, community connection — reflects something I believe: that the most meaningful philanthropy grows out of real relationships with the places and people you care about.Â
What this means for you.
If any of these themes resonate, I’d love to talk. Whether you’re thinking about a Donor Advised Fund, a Legacy Fund, or simply want to explore how charitable giving might fit into your broader estate plan, I’m here to help you think it through.Â
Your Philanthropy Team
Here to help you give with confidence, today and beyond your lifetime.
