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August is Make-A-Will Month: Create Your Legacy Through the Women’s Fund WillPower Society

Posted on Aug 17, 2026

August is recognized as Make-A-Will Month, a time to reflect on the values that matter most and consider how we want to care for the people and causes we love long into the future. While creating a will is an important step in protecting your family and ensuring your wishes are honored, it is also an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community you care about.

At the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, we believe that lasting change happens when generations invest in generations. Through legacy giving through our WillPower Society, supporters can help ensure that women and girls in our region have access to opportunities, resources, and advocacy for years to come.

No one wants to think about why we have to create a will, but having one is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your loved ones. A will provides clear guidance for your family, helps reduce stress during difficult times, and ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

Yet for many people, creating a will remains one of those tasks that gets pushed to “someday.” Make-A-Will Month serves as a reminder that no matter your age or stage in life, having a plan in place is an act of care and responsibility.

The Women’s Fund WillPower Society recognizes individuals and families who have included the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region in their estate plans.

By becoming a WillPower Society member, you join a group of visionary supporters who are committed to creating a future where women and girls can thrive. These generous donors understand that meaningful change takes time and that investing in future generations is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting impact.

Being a part of the WillPower Society is not determined by the size of your future gift, rather it reflects your commitment to the mission and your belief in the power of philanthropy to create positive change.

Whether your planned gift is made through a will, trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other estate planning vehicle, your legacy can help sustain the Women’s Fund’s work for years to come.

Having gone through seasons of challenge, having been a single mom, and now being blessed beyond all hope or expectation, it is such an easy decision to pay it forward and to try to create a path for women on an ongoing basis. – WillPower Society Member

Your Legacy Can Shape the Future

Imagine a young woman in the Fox Valley pursuing leadership opportunities because of programs supported by the Women’s Fund. Imagine families benefiting from initiatives that create greater financial stability and opportunity. Imagine future generations living in a community where women and girls have the resources they need to succeed.

These possibilities are made stronger through the foresight and generosity of legacy donors.

When you choose to include the Women’s Fund in your estate plans, you are making a statement about the future you want to create. You are investing in a cause that will continue to strengthen our region long after your gift is made.

I’ve seen so many barriers over my life and wish to see them reduced or better, eliminated, for girls of the present and future.

Make-A-Will Month is the perfect time to review or create your estate plan and consider the legacy you wish to leave behind.

If the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region has been meaningful in your philanthropic journey, we invite you to explore becoming a member of the WillPower Society. By including the Women’s Fund in your plans, you can help ensure that the work of advancing opportunities for women and girls continues for generations to come.

Together, we can build a legacy of empowerment, equity, and community impact that lasts far into the future.

To learn more about the Women’s Fund WillPower Society and legacy giving opportunities, contact the Julie Keller, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region. Your future gift can help create a stronger future for generations of women and girls across our community.

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