What kind of legacy do you want to leave in your community?
For many people, that means creating opportunities for future generations. Planned giving is one powerful way to do that. By making a future charitable gift, you can help ensure that nonprofits doing important work in San Diego County continue to thrive for decades, while also making thoughtful financial and estate plans for your family.
At United Way of San Diego County (UWSD), planned giving enables supporters to invest in the long-term well-being of our community through our programs and partnerships that support education, financial stability, and economic mobility.
Whether you’re just starting to think about your legacy or updating your estate plan, planned giving offers flexible ways to make a meaningful impact. Learn more about what planned giving is, why it matters, and how you can take the first step.
What Is Planned Giving (Legacy Giving)?
Planned giving (often referred to as legacy giving, estate gifts, or charitable bequests) is a commitment you make today to support a nonprofit in the future, often as part of your estate or financial plan. These gifts allow you to support causes you care about while maintaining control of your assets during your lifetime. Most planned gifts represent only a small portion of an estate, so supporters can care for loved ones while also supporting organizations that matter most to them.
Unlike an annual donation, a planned gift is typically arranged now and fulfilled later, most commonly through a will, trust, or beneficiary designation. Planned giving can start with something as simple as adding a charitable bequest or beneficiary designation to a retirement account, life insurance policy, or bank account. Over time, many people work with financial advisors, estate planners, or attorneys to incorporate charitable giving into their broader planning.
Most planned gifts are arranged using assets such as:
- A will or living trust
- Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s)
- Life insurance policies
- Stocks, mutual funds, or other appreciated assets
- Real estate or other property
Why People Choose Planned Giving
Many donors choose planned giving because it allows them to make a significant future impact while maintaining flexibility during their lifetime.
Common reasons people include charitable gifts in their estate plans include:
- Supporting a cause that reflects their personal values
- Creating a lasting impact in their community
- Making a larger gift than may be possible during their working years
- Using certain assets in a tax-efficient way
- Leaving a meaningful legacy for their family and community
- Many planned gifts are easily changeable or revocable, providing flexibility to adjust should needs change
People often begin exploring planned giving as they approach retirement, but many donors start thinking about their legacy as early as their 40s, as they begin formal estate planning.
Why Planned Giving Is Growing
For many people, an estate plan does more than ensure their loved ones are cared for after they pass; it can also reflect their personal values. By including planned gifts for the causes they care about, individuals can create a lasting legacy and make a meaningful impact for years to come.
Planned giving is becoming one of the most important sources of long-term funding for nonprofits. According to the Giving USA 2025 report, charitable bequests alone accounted for nearly $46 billion in donations nationwide each year, underscoring the importance of legacy gifts in sustaining nonprofit work across the country.
Research shows that:
- The most common planned gift is a charitable bequest included in a will or trust.
- About 45% of bequests are created by individuals younger than 55, and 15% of all planned gifts are by those younger than 45. (source: plannedgiving.com)
- Planned gifts account for over 30% of all charitable giving in the United States. (source: philanthropy.org)
Despite their impact, fewer than 10% of Americans have included a charitable gift in their estate plans, creating an enormous opportunity for those who want to make a lasting difference in their communities.Â
Why Planned Gifts Are Often Larger
Did you know the average bequest is typically 40 times larger than a typical annual gift (source)? Planned gifts are often larger than traditional annual donations because they can come from assets that may not be used during a donor’s lifetime, such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, or appreciated investments. This allows donors to make a more significant charitable impact than they might feel comfortable giving during their working years.
You Don’t Need a Fortune to Leave a Legacy
Many people assume planned giving is only for the wealthy, but that’s not the case. A simple designation in your will, retirement account, or insurance policy can create a meaningful legacy that helps families across San Diego County for generations. In fact, many planned gifts come from these types of assets, which may go unused during someone’s lifetime. Even a small percentage of an estate can make a lasting difference for the community.
How to Start Planned Giving
If you’re considering including charitable giving in your estate plans, getting started is often simpler than people expect. Many donors begin with three basic decisions:
- Choose what you want to support: a specific nonprofit, scholarship program, or community cause.
- Choose the type of asset to give: such as retirement accounts, stocks, real estate, or life insurance.
- Decide when the gift will take effect: during your lifetime, through your estate, or as part of a long-term charitable plan.
Many people begin by adding a simple charitable bequest or beneficiary designation and then refine their legacy plan over time with the help of financial or estate planning advisors.
Why Planned Giving Matters in San Diego County
San Diego County is home to thousands of nonprofits working to support education, economic opportunity, housing stability, and community well-being. Legacy gifts play an important role in helping sustain these organizations and their programs for decades to come.
At the same time, the United States is experiencing one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history, with trillions of dollars expected to pass from one generation to the next over the next 25 years (source). As families plan their estates, many are considering how they can support both their loved ones and the causes that matter most to them.
For San Diegans who care deeply about strengthening their communities, planned giving offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact that extends far beyond a lifetime.
Legacy Giving with United Way of San Diego County
For United Way of San Diego County, planned gifts help sustain our long-term mission to ensure that every child, individual, and family has access to the resources they need to succeed. Planned gifts help support our initiatives, such as:
Early Childhood Literacy
Programs that help young children build strong reading skills and start school ready to learn.
Career Pathways for Youth
Expanding opportunities for teens through career readiness programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) that connect students to future high-paying career pathways.
Financial Security and Economic Mobility
Helping individuals and families achieve greater financial stability through:
- Free financial coaching to help people meet basic needs, increase income, build credit, reduce debt, and grow savings
- Access to safe and affordable banking and financial services for low- and middle-income families
- Free tax preparation and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) support through the San Diego County EITC Coalition, United Way of San Diego County helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families file their taxes for free and claim valuable state and federal tax credits that can significantly reduce financial strain.Â
Planned gifts can also help create long-term or endowment support for programs that address the region’s most pressing challenges.
If you choose to include United Way of San Diego County in your estate plans, you’ll join our Legacy Circle, a community of
 supporters committed to strengthening San Diego for generations to come.
7 Ways to Support United Way of San Diego County Through Legacy Giving
There are several ways to structure a legacy gift to UWSD. Here are seven common planned giving options that allow you to create a lasting impact right here in our community.
1. A Gift in Your Will (Bequest)
One of the most common and flexible forms of planned giving is a charitable bequest.
By including United Way of San Diego County in your will or living trust, you can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are distributed.
Benefits of a bequest:
- Flexible and easy to arrange
- Can be updated at any time
- Allows you to prioritize family while still supporting your community
If you don’t have a will or living trust, you can start your will for free today with our partner, FreeWill. Or you can update your existing will or trust to include United Way of San Diego County, then let us know of your addition so we can welcome you to our Legacy Circle.
2. Name UWSD as a Beneficiary
Another simple option is to designate United Way of San Diego County as a beneficiary of an existing financial account.
You can name United Way of San Diego County as a beneficiary of:
- Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b))
- Life insurance policies
- Donor-advised funds
- Brokerage accounts
Benefits:
- Simple paperwork
- No need to update your will
- Easily adjustable if your plans change
3. Gifts of Stock or Appreciated Assets
Donating stocks, mutual funds, or other appreciated assets can be a highly efficient way to support charitable work.
In many cases, donors may receive tax advantages while avoiding capital gains taxes, allowing more of the asset’s value to go directly toward community impact.
Benefits:
- Potential tax advantages
- Maximizes your charitable gift
- Supports community programs and services
4. Gifts of Real Estate
Property can also become a powerful tool for philanthropy. You may choose to donate homes, land, or other real estate either during your lifetime or through your estate plan to support the mission of United Way of San Diego County.
Benefits:
- Turn property into lasting community impact
- Flexible timing options
- Supports programs for generations to come
5. IRA or Retirement Plan Gifts
Retirement accounts are often one of the most tax-efficient assets to leave to charity. Because retirement funds can be heavily taxed when passed to heirs, many donors choose to designate organizations like United Way of San Diego County as beneficiaries.
Benefits:
- Simple beneficiary designation
- Potential tax advantages
- Creates a high-impact legacy gift
6. Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) allows you to place assets into a trust that provides income to you or your loved ones for a set period of time.Â
After the trust term ends, the remaining assets support the work of United Way of San Diego County.
Benefits:
- Provides income for you or your family
- Supports long-term community programs
- Can be part of a broader estate planning strategy
7. Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) allows you to donate cash or assets to United Way of San Diego County while receiving fixed payments for life. When the annuity ends, the remaining value becomes a legacy gift that supports community programs.
Benefits:
- Guaranteed fixed income payments
- Potential tax benefits
- Long-term support for community initiatives
Plan Your Legacy with UWSD Today
By including United Way of San Diego County in your estate plan, you’re helping drive our mission to ensure that every child, individual, and family in our community has the opportunity to succeed. If you’re interested in learning more about planned giving, legacy giving, estate planning for charitable impact, or tax-smart charitable gifts, United Way of San Diego County is here to help.
If you choose to include United Way of San Diego County in your estate plans, you’ll join our Legacy Circle, a community of supporters committed to strengthening San Diego for generations to come.
Explore the full range of options and resources in the Planned Giving Hub: uwsd.org/planned-giving
Together, we can build a stronger San Diego County, today and for generations to come.
For more information, contact Vivian Grifantini at Vivian.grifantini@uwsd.org.Â