Estate planning is about more than simply distributing assets after your lifetime. It is also an opportunity to think about the impact you want to have on future generations.
Charitable giving is a powerful way to put your values into action, supporting organizations that advance causes you care about, strengthening your communities, and addressing challenges around the world. As you begin thinking about estate planning, you may find yourself asking: Can I continue supporting these causes after I’m gone?
The answer is yes.
Legacy giving allows donors like you to extend your philanthropic impact beyond your lifetime, helping ensure that the organizations and causes you care about continue to receive support. If you support causes around the world, you may find that including international charities in an estate plan is often more complex.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about your estate plan or revisiting an existing one, these four practical steps can help you support the causes you care about for years to come.
Step 1: Inventory Your Assets and Philanthropic Passions
Before updating or creating a will, start by identifying what matters most to you.
Make a list of the charitable organizations, causes, and regions you support or would like to support. Legacy gifts can often be an extension of the giving you already do today. Whether your passion is education in Kenya, humanitarian relief in Ukraine, or environmental initiatives in the U.K., documenting these priorities is an important first step.
At the same time, review the assets that could potentially support your charitable goals, including:
- Cash and investment accounts
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Donor advised funds
- Other estate assets
A clear picture of both your resources and philanthropic priorities creates a strong foundation for meaningful estate planning.
Step 2: Understand Your Options
Once you’ve identified your goals, gather the information and guidance needed to determine the best approach for your legacy.
While many attorneys and financial advisers are experienced in charitable planning involving U.S.-based nonprofits, giving to organizations outside the United States can be more complex, especially when the charity you want to support does not have a domestic affiliate.
Whether you choose to work with professional advisers or research options on your own, some important questions to answer include:
- How can I leave a legacy gift to an international charity?
- Can my estate receive tax benefits while supporting a nonprofit abroad?
- What options exist if my chosen organization does not have a U.S. presence?
Step 3: Choose the Right Giving Vehicle
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to legacy giving. The right structure depends on your goals, family circumstances, and charitable objectives.
Common legacy giving options include:
Direct charitable bequests |
Naming a charitable beneficiary in your will or trust. |
Beneficiary designations |
Designating a charitable organization as a beneficiary of a retirement account, investment account, or life insurance policy. |
Donor advised fund succession plans |
Establishing instructions that allow charitable giving to continue through a donor advised fund after your lifetime. |
If you are considering international giving in your estate plan, CAF America can serve as a charitable partner by helping facilitate gifts to eligible charitable organizations around the world.
Step 4: Share your vision with family and trusted partners
Even the most carefully crafted estate plan can be strengthened when loved ones understand your intentions.
Discuss your philanthropic goals with family members, executors, trustees, advisers, and other trusted representatives. Explain why certain causes matter to you and how you would like your charitable legacy carried forward. These conversations can help minimize uncertainty, provide helpful context, and give future decision-makers confidence when carrying out your wishes.
Common questions about international legacy giving
Now that you have a better understanding of the steps you can take to ensure your charitable giving legacy is carried out, here are answers to some of the most common questions about legacy giving.
What if the organization I want to support does not have a U.S. nonprofit affiliate?
Many donors assume they can only support international organizations that have a U.S.-based “Friends of” charity or affiliated nonprofit. In reality, other pathways may be available to facilitate international charitable giving as part of an estate plan. Organizations with expertise in cross-border philanthropy can help evaluate and support charitable organizations abroad while meeting applicable compliance and due diligence requirements.
Can my estate receive tax benefits while supporting a nonprofit abroad?
Every donor’s situation is unique, which is why professional legal and tax advice is essential. For example, the tax treatment of a charitable bequest can vary depending on the gift’s structure, the assets being donated, and the recipient. Because these details can be complex, guidance from a trusted professional can help you make informed decisions.
How can my family ensure my charitable wishes are carried out?
The most effective approach combines clear estate planning documents, conversations with family members, and partnerships with trusted charitable organizations that understand your goals.
Do I need to review my estate plan after it is created?
Yes. It is important to revisit your estate plan periodically, particularly after major life events or changes in your financial circumstances.
Planning for the Future
If the causes you support extend beyond U.S. borders, legacy giving can help ensure that meaningful work continues well into the future. By taking an inventory of your assets and charitable priorities, consulting experienced advisers, selecting the right giving vehicle, and communicating your vision to loved ones, you can create a plan that reflects both your values and your philanthropic goals.
Whether you want to continue supporting organizations you’ve championed throughout your lifetime or expand your impact to new regions and causes, thoughtful planning today can help create lasting change tomorrow.
Interested in learning more about international legacy giving? CAF America offers legacy giving services, which can help donors and advisers explore options for incorporating global charitable impact into an estate plan.
More Resources
- Review deeper insights in the Legacy Giving Report
- See the latest data on international legacy gifts
- Learn about the value of generosity in your estate plan
- Meet Helen L. Rinker Ashley and see the impact of her legacy
- Read a case study about artwork donated to benefit a U.K. charity
