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What Story Will Your Legacy Tell?

Posted on Oct 14, 2026

When most people hear the words “estate planning,” they immediately think about wills, legal documents, and financial assets. While those are important pieces of the process, estate planning is about much more than what you leave behind. It’s about the values you pass on, the causes you champion, and the impact you want to make for generations to come.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

For many women, the answer extends beyond family and loved ones. It includes creating opportunities for future generations, supporting causes that align with their values, and helping build a stronger community.

What Is Estate Planning Awareness Week?

Each year, the third full week of October is recognized as National Estate Planning Awareness Week, a designation adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. The week was established to help Americans better understand what estate planning is, why it matters, and how it contributes to long-term financial well-being.

The purpose of Estate Planning Awareness Week is simple: to encourage individuals and families to take proactive steps to protect their loved ones, document their wishes, and create a plan for the future. Despite its importance, many Americans have not created or updated essential documents such as wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, or beneficiary designations. Estate Planning Awareness Week serves as a reminder that planning ahead is not just about assets and finances, but about providing clarity, reducing stress for loved ones, and ensuring your values are honored.

Estate Planning Is for Everyone

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or those nearing retirement. Regardless of your age or stage of life, having a plan helps ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for.

An estate plan can include:

Including charitable giving in your estate plan allows your values to continue making a difference long after your lifetime.

Did you know?

More than half of Americans do not have an estate plan in place. Estate Planning Week serves as an important reminder to create or update your plans and ensure your wishes are documented.

A planned gift to the Women’s Fund can be as simple as including the organization in your will or naming the Women’s Fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy. Every legacy gift helps create opportunities for future generations of women and girls.

A Legacy That Lasts

Many of the opportunities women enjoy today were made possible because someone before us believed in investing in the future.

Whether it was access to education, leadership opportunities, financial security, or support during challenging times, generations of women have benefited from individuals who chose to leave a lasting impact.

When you include a charitable gift in your estate plan, you become part of that legacy. Your future gift can help ensure that women and girls continue to have access to opportunities, resources, and support for years to come.

A planned gift does not have to be large to make a meaningful difference. In fact, many legacy gifts are made by individuals who simply wanted to ensure that causes important to them remained strong in the future.

Some of the most common options include:

These gifts often cost nothing during your lifetime but can create significant impact in the future.

Investing in the Future of Women and Girls

At the Women’s Fund, we believe that creating lasting change happens when people invest not only in today’s needs but also in tomorrow’s possibilities.

A planned gift is one way to ensure that future generations of women and girls have access to opportunities that help them learn, lead, and thrive. It’s a way to continue advancing economic security, leadership development, and community well-being long into the future.

Most importantly, it’s a reflection of your belief that every woman and girl deserves the chance to reach her full potential.

Begin the Conversation

Estate Planning Week is an excellent reminder to review your plans, update important documents, and consider the legacy you want to create.

As you think about your future, we invite you to consider how your values can continue to make a difference for generations to come.

Because the most meaningful legacies are not measured by what we leave behind, but by the lives we help transform.

Interested in learning more about leaving a charitable gift in your estate plans to the Women’s Fund? Connect with Julie, jkeller@womensfundfvr.org. We’d be honored to have a conversation about how your legacy can help create a brighter future for women and girls in our community.

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