Pamela Monaco sitting with her dog

Planning Never Stops

Giving Voice Winter 2024: Giving Matters

Jan L. Lane, CAP®, Senior Philanthropic Advisor

While estate planning is crucial for promoting financial and generational wellness, the majority of American adults don’t have estate planning documents — like wills, trusts or healthcare directives — in place. It is common for many of us to avoid this process for a whole host of reasons, including procrastination, the misconception that it is strictly for older adults or those with lots of money or property, or simply because we don’t know where to start. For those of us who have gotten started, it’s important to remember that a good planning process never really stops.

Once an estate plan is in place, most people wait for a major life transition — like the birth of a child, home purchase, serious illness, or passing of a loved one — to trigger a review. The truth is it’s never too early to start thinking about estate planning, and once you’ve put your wishes in writing, it’s a good idea to revisit these documents at least every three to five years. Even if your life circumstances haven’t changed, a routine review provides an opportunity to reflect on other factors that may shift over time — ranging from the technical (tax laws) to the intangible (your priorities). As you review your estate plan, consider whether your documents align with your charitable intentions, especially if you’ve captured your intentions through a legacy plan at the Community Foundation. A fund at the Community Foundation can be an ideal recipient of estate gifts through a will or trust, or through a beneficiary designation on a qualified retirement plan or life insurance policy. Whether you opt to create your own legacy fund or supplement an existing endowment fund that aligns with your vision for long-term impact, the proceeds can be used to support the causes you care about most.

Just as there are plenty of reasons to review your estate plan on a regular basis, the same is true of a legacy plan. Here are a few examples to consider:

Charities Can Change

If your plan includes direct support for your favorite nonprofits, a periodic review will allow you to include backups or contingencies in the event that a charity ceases its operations.

You Can Change

A periodic review will give you a chance to check in with yourself and reflect on what is most important to you. Is your answer the same now as it was five years ago? Will it be the same a decade from now?

The Community Can Change

There is a good chance that the needs and opportunities we are addressing today will not be the same as the needs and opportunities of tomorrow. While reviewing your plan, you may wish to consider how you can incorporate support that is flexible enough to respond to future changes.

Whether it is estate or legacy planning, there are ongoing steps we can all take throughout our lives to protect our loved ones, support future generations and preserve our legacies. The Community Foundation can help you develop — and maintain — a charitable legacy plan that complements your estate plan and evolves with your wishes.

Related Stories

Man and woman standing in front of church
Stories January 28, 2025

Holistic Giving: Jeff & Rachel Roney

Jeff and Rachel embrace giving in every facet of life—through faith, family and community. Their ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 11, 2024

Professional Advisor 365: A Year-In-Review Summary of Collaborative Planning

Here’s a roundup of events and activities that we’ve led over the past year to ...

Man sitting
Publications November 21, 2024

Meals On Wheel Delivers Nutritious, Personal Interactions

Peter Wong, a former airline worker, found renewed purpose through North Area Meals on Wheels ...

Two boys sitting together
Publications November 21, 2024

Young Entrepreneur Making Waves in Hip-Hop

Sixteen-year-old Azory Infinite dreams of redefining music while breaking cycles of poverty. Through the Good ...

Man and woman standing outside
Publications November 21, 2024

Couple shares ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ — and Green

Music has been a lifelong passion for retired physicians Dr. Harold L. Husovsky and Dr. ...

New Hire Headshots
News Releases November 19, 2024

Community Foundation Announces New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Deraretu Abubeker as Scholarships & Student Success ...

Stories October 22, 2024

National Estate Planning Week

As we enter National Estate Planning Awareness Week, now's a good time for a brief ...

News Releases October 9, 2024

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

In May, leaders from four local grassroots groups celebrated their completion of The Leadership Classroom ...

Man and woman standing in front of church
Stories January 28, 2025

Holistic Giving: Jeff & Rachel Roney

Jeff and Rachel embrace giving in every facet of life—through faith, family and community. Their ...

hand holding growing money
Publications December 11, 2024

Professional Advisor 365: A Year-In-Review Summary of Collaborative Planning

Here’s a roundup of events and activities that we’ve led over the past year to ...

Man sitting
Publications November 21, 2024

Meals On Wheel Delivers Nutritious, Personal Interactions

Peter Wong, a former airline worker, found renewed purpose through North Area Meals on Wheels ...

Two boys sitting together
Publications November 21, 2024

Young Entrepreneur Making Waves in Hip-Hop

Sixteen-year-old Azory Infinite dreams of redefining music while breaking cycles of poverty. Through the Good ...

Man and woman standing outside
Publications November 21, 2024

Couple shares ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ — and Green

Music has been a lifelong passion for retired physicians Dr. Harold L. Husovsky and Dr. ...

New Hire Headshots
News Releases November 19, 2024

Community Foundation Announces New Hires

The Central New York Community Foundation has hired Deraretu Abubeker as Scholarships & Student Success ...

Stories October 22, 2024

National Estate Planning Week

As we enter National Estate Planning Awareness Week, now's a good time for a brief ...

News Releases October 9, 2024

Four Local Organizations Graduate from Leadership Training Program

In May, leaders from four local grassroots groups celebrated their completion of The Leadership Classroom ...

View More