Not at all. Legacy gifts come in many sizes, and every gift helps create lasting impact. Many donors make planned gifts without affecting their current financial security.
Legacy Giving
About Legacy Giving
Create a Legacy That Lives On
The values you share today can inspire generosity for generations to come. Legacy giving allows you to support the people, places, and causes you care about while creating a lasting expression of your family’s values.
Whether you’re beginning your estate planning, exploring charitable giving options, or ensuring your existing fund continues beyond your lifetime, we’re here to help you build a legacy that strengthens Southwest Indiana for generations.
Why Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving is more than a financial decision. It’s an opportunity to share your values, involve future generations in giving, and create lasting support for the community you love.
By including the Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana in your estate plans, you can:
- Continue supporting the causes that matter most to you.
- Create a lasting tradition of family philanthropy.
- Leave a permanent impact in Southwest Indiana.
- Provide flexibility for future generations to continue your charitable vision.
- Help address the changing needs of our communities for years to come.
Whether your legacy supports education, health, the arts, local nonprofits, or your hometown, your generosity will continue creating opportunities long into the future.
Whether you’re beginning your estate planning, exploring charitable giving options, or ensuring your existing fund continues beyond your lifetime, we’re here to help you build a legacy that strengthens Southwest Indiana for generations.
"It was easy. I just worked with the Community Foundation and my advisor to make the Community Foundation the beneficiary of an investment."
-Mark Waterman, Community Foundation Fund Founder
What Is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is the process of including charitable gifts in your estate or financial plans.
These gifts may be made through:
- Your will or living trust
- Retirement account beneficiaries
- Life insurance policies
- Charitable trusts
- Donor advised funds
- Other estate planning tools
Some donors choose to establish a new charitable fund through their estate, while others simply include an existing Community Foundation fund in their plans.
No matter the approach, your gift becomes part of a permanent commitment to Southwest Indiana.
Why Partner with the Community Foundation?
A charitable fund with the Community Foundation offers flexibility that many individual charitable gifts cannot.
Your fund can:
- Continue forever through endowment.
- Adapt as community needs change.
- Support one organization or many.
- Involve children and future generations.
- Be professionally administered and invested.
- Honor your charitable wishes exactly as you intended.
Family Philanthropy in Action
A Legacy of Giving, Today & Tomorrow
Nick and Lynne Rice have built a legacy of generosity through planned giving with the Community Foundation, aligning their personal values with the long-term needs of Southwest Indiana.
Like many people, they delayed estate planning for years.
“Nick and I kept putting off estate planning because of our situation,” Lynne shared. “We have no children; our extended families are small and do not live close. Sitting down with a legal pad and trying to list ‘what should go where after we’re gone’ seemed daunting.”
Instead of trying to navigate those decisions alone, they chose to start with a conversation.
“We decided to visit the Community Foundation and see if they could provide us with better options and also make executing our will(s) as easy as possible,” she said.
Through that process, the Rices found clarity and peace of mind. They were able to create a plan that reflected what mattered most to them, while also simplifying the decisions that often make estate planning feel overwhelming.
“Our meetings with the Community Foundation were very productive,” Lynne added. “We went home with a lot of information that helped us with the decision process. We were encouraged to support what we felt was important. Throughout, they were always very patient and thoroughly answered all our questions.”
As part of their planned giving, the Rices established funds that will continue strengthening their community for generations. Their giving includes the Habitat for Humanity of Perry County Fund and the Rice Scholarship Fund, both deeply connected to their personal story.
Add Your Existing Fund to Your Estate Plan
Already have a fund with the Community Foundation?
One of the easiest ways to extend your impact is by naming your charitable fund in your estate plan.
You can name your fund through:
- A bequest in your will
- A living trust
- Retirement account beneficiary designations
- Life insurance
- Charitable trusts
- Other planned giving strategies
We’ll gladly work with your attorney, accountant, or financial advisor to ensure your charitable wishes are fulfilled.
Ways to Give
Planned giving allows you to support the Foundation through your estate or future assets. These “give later” gifts create a legacy without affecting your current lifestyle. Learn how these creative and flexible giving options allow you to create your charitable legacy.
Gifts Through Your Will
Leave a percentage, specific amount, or remainder of your estate.
Retirement Assets
Name the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA or retirement plan.
Life Insurance
Designate the Community Foundation as a beneficiary or transfer ownership of an existing policy.
Appreciated Assets
Give stocks, mutual funds, or other appreciated investments while potentially avoiding capital gains taxes.
Charitable Remainder Trust
Provide income to yourself or loved ones before supporting charitable causes.
Charitable Lead Trust
Support charitable causes now while preserving assets for heirs later.
Real Estate
Donate farmland, commercial property, vacation homes, or other real estate assets.
Closely Held Business Interests
Create lasting charitable impact through business succession planning.
Legacy Partners
Professional Advisor Resources
Information for attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors working with charitable clients.
Let Us Know
Notify Us of Your Plans
Already included us in your estate plans? Let us know so we can ensure your gift is used exactly as you intend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be wealthy to make a legacy gift?
Can I change my plans later?
Yes. Most planned gifts can be updated as your life, family, or charitable priorities change.
Can my children continue our family's giving?
Absolutely. Many charitable funds allow successor advisors or family members to continue recommending grants, creating a tradition of family philanthropy.
Will my gift support my hometown?
Yes. You can direct your gift to benefit a specific community, nonprofit, scholarship, field of interest, or allow it to address the region's greatest needs over time.
Should I tell the Community Foundation about my plans?
While not required, we encourage you to let us know. This allows us to thank you, ensure your wishes are understood, and welcome you into the Legacy Society.
The Legacy Society
Celebrating Visionary Generosity
The Legacy Society honors individuals and families who have included the Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana in their estate plans or made another qualifying planned gift.
Membership recognizes your commitment to ensuring generosity continues for generations and celebrates the lasting impact your legacy will have across Southwest Indiana.
Member Benefits
- Recognition (if desired)
- Society Member Lapel Pin
- Invitations to Legacy Society gatherings
- Updates on the impact of planned gifts
- Opportunities to connect with fellow legacy donors
- The satisfaction of knowing your generosity will continue long into the future
Your Legacy
Ready to Begin?
Whether you’re creating your first estate plan, updating existing documents, or exploring ways to involve your family in philanthropy, we’re here to help.
Together, we can create a charitable legacy that reflects your values, supports the causes you love, and strengthens Southwest Indiana for generations to come.