August is National Make-A-Will Month — an important reminder to establish or update your will and estate plan. A will is a fundamental part of end-of-life planning, ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes and your loved ones are protected, avoiding the delays and expenses of probate. Taking the time to establish a will not only supports those you care about most, but it also gives you peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be honored.
Beyond protecting your loved ones, your will can be a powerful tool for creating lasting impact. At Rose Community Foundation, we believe that everyone has a legacy to leave—regardless of income or status. Through thoughtful planning, you can support the causes and communities that matter most to you by including a legacy gift in your estate plans. A legacy gift is a charitable contribution to a nonprofit or cause you care about, ensuring your values live on and continue to make a difference for generations to come.
“I want to leave the world a better place than I found it, and the legacy gift is my version of planting a tree. It’s something that will help people even when I’m gone,” says Dr. William Silvers, donor-advised fundholder and Rose Community Legacy Circle member.
How it works at Rose Community Foundation
Our Philanthropic Services team can help you establish a fund which lays out your wishes for charitable distributions to organizations you care most about, including Rose Community Foundation. Your estate planning documents can simply name the fund as a beneficiary of charitable bequests, allowing you to adjust the terms of the fund anytime to reflect evolving charitable priorities.
Legacy gifts can be established using a variety of assets, including stock, real estate, life insurance or an IRA beneficiary designation—a tax-effective option that can maximize your impact. To learn more about establishing a legacy gift, view here.
When you include gifts to or through Rose Community Foundation in your estate plan, you become part of the Rose Community Legacy Circle. As a Legacy Circle member, you’ll be invited to exclusive Foundation programs and events, and enjoy meaningful opportunities for connection and stewardship—all in recognition of your philanthropic leadership and lasting impact.
Tips to get started on creating your will
Take stock of your assets
- List all of your assets, including bank accounts, investments, real estate and personal property. If you work with an attorney, financial advisor or asset manager, include their contact information.
Review your beneficiary designations
- Check the beneficiaries listed on your life insurance policies, retirement accounts and other investment accounts. These designations bypass probate and go directly to the named individuals, so it’s important to keep them current – especially after major life events such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child.
Choose your personal representative thoughtfully
- When considering someone to serve as the personal representative of your estate, have a conversation with them to confirm they are willing to take on the responsibility and be sure to include their contact information in your records. When preparing your will, consider establishing Powers of Attorney for finances and health care directives – appointing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.
Revisit your plan on a regular basis
- Once your will is in place, make it a habit to review every few years. Your assets, relationships and wishes may change over time and your estate plan should reflect your current circumstances and intentions. If you relocate to another state, revisit your will to ensure it is in compliance with state laws.
Other Resources
Rose Community Foundation recommends contacting an attorney to help you in drafting a will. In addition, there are other resources available to help you begin the process of creating a will, including Free Will which provides free online access to will-making services, enabling you to help the people and causes you love most. Giving Docs, similar to Free Will, provides estate planning tools for a small fee.
Should you have questions, or are interested in opening a fund, or establishing a legacy gift, please contact our Philanthropic Services team.