‍The most meaningful legacies aren’t measured in dollars alone—they’re measured in the impact they continue to make.

At SOAR Partners, we often see that individuals who care deeply about community impact want their values to live on beyond their lifetime. One of the most powerful and accessible ways to do this is by including a nonprofit organization in your will or trust.

Planned giving through bequests ensures that your life’s work—your dedication to service, family, and community—continues to advance the causes you care about most.

1. What It Means to Include a Nonprofit in Your Will or Trust

A charitable bequest is a simple, flexible way to make a lasting gift. It allows you to designate a nonprofit to receive a portion of your estate after your lifetime. This can be done through:

A specific gift (e.g., “I give $10,000 to [nonprofit name]”),

A percentage gift (e.g., “I give 10% of my estate to [nonprofit name]”), or

A residual gift, where the nonprofit receives the remainder after other distributions are made.

2. Why This Matters—for Donors and Nonprofits

Leaving a charitable bequest provides a way for donors to make a transformational impact without affecting their financial security during life.

A study by Trust & Will notes that including nonprofits in estate plans is becoming increasingly common, with many donors choosing to give a percentage of their estate rather than a fixed amount, ensuring their gift grows in proportion with their assets (TrustandWill.com, 2024).

DonorSearch reports that planned gifts through wills and trusts often represent the single largest contribution an organization receives, providing essential long-term stability and supporting major initiatives (DonorSearch.net, 2024).

3. How to Add a Nonprofit to Your Will or Trust

Including a nonprofit in your estate plan can be completed with just a few steps:

Decide on the type of gift. You can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other obligations are met.

Work with your attorney or financial advisor. They can ensure your intentions are documented properly and aligned with current tax laws.

Provide accurate details. Include the nonprofit’s legal name, address, and tax ID (EIN) to avoid confusion during estate administration.

Inform the nonprofit. Many organizations have “legacy societies” that recognize and thank donors for their future gifts.

McAfee Taft advises that “clarity and communication are critical,” noting that both donors and nonprofits benefit when expectations are clear and legally documented (McAfeeTaft.com, 2024).

4. The Benefits of Giving Through a Will or Trust

Charitable bequests can:

Reduce potential estate taxes for larger estates, allowing more of your assets to support charitable work.

Leave a flexible legacy—you can adjust your will or trust at any time as circumstances change.

Model generosity for future generations, encouraging children and grandchildren to continue a tradition of giving.

In the UK, Ellisons Solicitors reports that nearly 1 in 5 individuals with a will have included at least one charitable bequest, reflecting a global rise in legacy-based giving (Ellisons.com, 2024).

5. How Nonprofits Can Encourage Legacy Giving

Nonprofits can take proactive steps to make legacy giving more accessible:

Incorporate simple sample language (“I bequeath ___% of my estate to [Organization Name, EIN ###]”) into donor materials.

Create a section on their website explaining how to include the organization in wills and trusts.

Share stories of donors whose planned gifts made a lasting impact.

Encourage supporters to consult their advisors—while clarifying that the nonprofit does not provide legal or financial advice.

When nonprofits normalize these conversations, they empower supporters to make meaningful, lasting contributions aligned with their values.

Building a Legacy of Purpose

Including a nonprofit in your will or trust is not just a financial decision—it’s a declaration of purpose. It says, “I believe in this mission, and I want my support to endure.”

At SOAR Partners, we help nonprofits strengthen their planned giving strategies so they can steward these legacy gifts with integrity, transparency, and gratitude. Because the most powerful legacies are built not on wealth alone, but on vision—on a shared belief in the good we can leave behind.

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