For many clients, drafting a Legacy Letter in their own words is a highly meaningful exercise that allows them to share their thoughts with succeeding generations. Authors may reflect on their family history and life experiences, share values and beliefs, and offer a vision for the future. An additional purpose can be to clarify philanthropic aspirations in what is sometimes referred to as an “Expression of Donor Intent.”
Sharing this type of knowledge provides heirs (and in some cases trustees) with uniquely personal guidance that could otherwise be lost over time.
A Legacy Letter may include:
- Stories that shed light on the family’s origins and historical milestones
- Insights into the family’s motivations
- Charitable giving preferences
- Specific institutions and organizations may change over time, so sharing broad themes is often helpful. This leaves room for heirs to shape the family’s giving as time passes.
- Mission statements like these that help to articulate the family’s WHY:
- “Our family philanthropy supports (has supported) organizations that address… ”
- “We are guided in this work by our beliefs and our shared values, including …”
The format of the letter can vary, and it can be written or videotaped, whatever is most comfortable for the client. It should then be filed with other important documents and distributed to estate executors, fiduciaries and/or heirs.
A Legacy Letter can be an effective way to communicate a client’s vision. While the statement is not binding, it can be an influential resource with respect to purpose and priorities.
Expressions of donor intent may “tell stories about personal character, values, and passions, and they offer guidance on principles
National Center for Family Philanthropy, Philanthropic Purpose, 2022.
and priorities. They often offer insights into contingency plans if a goal is no longer achievable (e.g., due to a law change), if the original goal is met (e.g., a cure for a disease is found), and/or if future generations don’t have the interest or ability
to continue managing the giving.”
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