Many people who don’t have children wonder how their legacy will take shape. Without biological heirs, you may feel a unique freedom to channel your resources, time, and values toward the broader community. In fact, Americans over 50 without children are more than four times as likely as parents to have a charitable estate plan. If this sounds like you—or if you’re helping a family member in this situation—now is a great time to consider creating an intentional philanthropic strategy.
The PACF is here to help. Reach out anytime for a conversation! As we begin our dialogue, here are three ways you might think about your giving:
- Make charitable giving an expression of who you are. If you don’t have children, the causes you care about can become an extension of your values and the impact you want to leave behind. A fund at the PACF can carry your name—or something else meaningful—to reflect your priorities. Examples might include “Smith Family Fund,” “Sally Smith and Joe Brown Foundation Fund,” “Building Stronger Communities Fund,” or “Animal Welfare Innovation Fund.” Ultimately, the choice is yours.
- Integrate charitable planning into your estate plan. Without children, you often have greater flexibility to decide how your wealth will create lasting meaning beyond your lifetime. By weaving charitable giving into your estate and financial strategies, you can direct resources to the causes that matter most to you and ensure your legacy benefits your community. This is a thoughtful way to give purpose to your accumulated assets and make a difference for future generations. We can help you involve your estate planning advisors in structuring a charitable plan that works for you.
- Include extended family and future generations. Even if you don’t have children, you can involve nieces, nephews, other relatives, or community members in your philanthropic journey. You might build a multi-year giving plan or adjust your giving as community needs change. When you establish a Donor Advised Fund at the PACF, you can even name successor advisors to continue recommending charities to receive distributions.
Whether or not you have children, the PACF is here as a resource and sounding board every step of the way. Reach out to learn more about how we can help you build a charitable plan that reflects your values, supports your family’s goals, and makes a meaningful difference in the causes you care about.
