WHEELING, W.Va. — “What will be my legacy?” is a question that most people ask throughout their lives. Legacies take different forms: children or grandchildren, work, faith, notable community service, etc. Legacies can also include charitable planned gifts to nonprofits and causes that mattered to people during their lives. 

Although August is officially National Make-A-Will Month, we encourage everyone to take time during the remainder of 2024 to either create a will or revisit yours to ensure that it aligns with your vision of your legacy for your loved ones as well as for any charities you wish to support.  

Your will can solidify a legacy of philanthropy. 

Giving through your will is an easy and impactful way to make a difference in your community and the lives of others forever. You can include direct gifts to nonprofits that you loved or leave a gift to the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) to create an endowed charitable fund that provides lasting support for your favorite causes or organizations. An endowed fund will continue to grow through smart investing and will provide perpetual grants – in your name or anonymously, if you prefer – that change lives and transform your community.  

You can consider other planned giving options. 

Leaving a gift in your will is one of several options you have when it comes to planned giving. If you have a professional advisor, we recommend that you speak with them to determine the best and most advantageous fit for your circumstances. You may want to consider the following options: 

• Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement plans: Consider making a nonprofit, like the CFOV, the beneficiary of life insurance policies or tax-deferred retirement plans such as a 401(k) or an IRA. Just like a bequest in your will, this gift can be used to open an endowed fund with us that will live forever.  

• A charitable remainder trust: This is another way you can carry out a legacy of philanthropy. This type of trust makes income payments to you or other beneficiaries. Then the remainder of the trust passes to one or more qualified charitable organizations, such as the CFOV.  

The CFOV is here to help your legacy live on.  

If a legacy of philanthropy is important to you, we are here to help. We can work with you and your professional advisor to maximize your giving power and craft a Legacy Agreement to outline the legacy of perpetual support that you envision. 

To learn more about planned giving and how the CFOV can ensure your legacy continues through an endowed fund, call our Director of Development & Donor Services Liz Paulhus at (304) 905-6084 or send an email to liz@cfov.org.