Planned Giving: How to Leave a Lasting Impact Through Smart Charitable Planning

When you think about planned giving, a deliberate, long-term strategy to donate assets to charity, often through legal tools like trusts or wills. Also known as legacy giving, it’s not about writing a check after a fundraiser—it’s about building a future where your values outlive you. Most people assume giving means donating what’s left over. But planned giving flips that: you decide ahead of time how your resources will help others, even after you’re gone.

This isn’t just for the wealthy. Whether you’re setting up a charitable trust, a legal arrangement where assets are held and managed for the benefit of a charity, often with tax advantages, naming a nonprofit in your will, or using life insurance, the goal is the same: make your support predictable, efficient, and meaningful. And it’s not just about money. Planned giving can include property, stocks, or even intellectual property—things that grow over time and can do far more good when donated strategically.

But here’s the catch: not all planned giving works the way people think. A charitable remainder trust, a type of trust that pays income to you or others first, then gives the rest to charity sounds great until you realize it locks up your assets, charges high fees, and leaves you with unpredictable payouts. Meanwhile, some charities claim to use 100% of donations—but that usually means they’re hiding overhead costs elsewhere. True planned giving means knowing who gets what, when, and why. You need transparency, legal clarity, and a clear understanding of what happens if things change.

People give because they care. But the smartest givers ask: How do I make sure this lasts? That’s where planned giving shines. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t show up on social media. But it’s the quiet force behind housing programs, school clubs, and community outreach that keep going for decades. You don’t need a big estate to start. You just need to think ahead.

Below, you’ll find real stories and clear breakdowns of how people actually make this work—from avoiding costly mistakes with trusts to finding charities that truly put every dollar to work. Whether you’re considering your first planned gift or trying to understand why your neighbor set up a trust, these posts cut through the noise and show you what matters.