Building Your Legacy

Jun 9, 2025

You have invested your time and treasure throughout your lifetime to the causes that are important to you and want to leave a legacy reflective of that work. Giving charitably now and/or after your lifetime, and volunteering for a cause you care about, are among the many ways to leave a legacy. Your legacy is made up of moments of action, decision and reflection that accumulate during your lifetime.

If you want to leave a legacy through financial means, a legacy fund with the Community Foundation provides you with an opportunity to include charitable giving in your estate plans and make a difference for future generations to come.

A legacy fund is a no-cost charitable fund that enables individuals and families to document their charitable intentions and goals to be activated upon their passing. By establishing a legacy fund at the Community Foundation, you can continually update your goals and wishes as your interests and priorities change, with minimal time and at no cost.

Consider a Legacy Fund If You:

  • Want to ensure the causes you care about are supported in the long-term
  • Appreciate the flexibility of being able to easily change your charitable intentions without revising your will or trust
  • Need to preserve cash and assets now and/or for retirement, but want to leave a charitable legacy in your community or to encourage future generations to make a charitable impact
  • Want to simplify the administration of your estate for your heirs, executor or successor trustee

What are the Benefits?

  • No cost to establish a legacy fund
  • No cost to update and amend charitable intentions
  • Fully customizable to meet charitable goals
  • Legacy funds can be named as beneficiary of various assets, such as a trust or will, IRA or other assets that allow for a beneficiary designation

Our team of charitable giving experts is here to assist you in building your legacy. We will work alongside you to ensure your charitable giving fund fits into your overall legacy plans. If you are interested in learning more about ways the Community Foundation can help you build a legacy, contact Sarah Ramsey at ramsey@desmoinesfoundation.org or (515) 447-4207.