Shaping Your Legacy: 4 Questions to Ask Before Making a Gift

Before you make a gift in your will, it’s wise to think it through and have a conversation. As you shape your long-term plans, find out how they align with our mission by asking these four key questions.

1. How will my gift be used?

Why it matters: Every nonprofit abides by accounting standards and makes financial information—like budgets and spending—available to the public. This information can be useful whether your gift will be invested long term or spent to fund immediate needs. If you want your gift to make a broad impact or to be used for a specific purpose, have a conversation with Vail Health Foundation about your goals.

2. What is the vision of the organization?

Why it matters: A vision statement shares where an organization is headed. Because a legacy gift provides support well into the future, make sure the plan matches your values.

3. What is your 10-year plan?

Why it matters: Details on strategic plans, rainy-day funds, board bylaws and fundraising guidelines are clues that an organization will remain viable. An endowment like ours also provides financial security that will extend your generosity for generations.

4. How will my gift be recognized?

Why it matters: Philanthropy is always worth celebrating, but you have the right to opt in or out of recognition. Express your preferences. It’s OK to ask to be removed from a list—or to be featured in our marketing to inspire other donors. Whether your gift is celebrated in a private or public way is completely up to you!

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of printing. The information in this publication is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results.