Legacy with Intention: Integrating Philanthropy, Impact, and Family Values

For successful families, wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about meaning. It’s about values, vision, and the impact you leave behind. At our firm, we believe in helping clients build a legacy with intention—a legacy that reflects what matters most to them and serves future generations with both financial strength and moral clarity.

In this article, we explore how we work with high-net-worth families to align wealth with purpose using proven tools such as charitable trusts, donor-advised funds, family mission statements, and education programs that engage the next generation. Whether you’re starting your philanthropic journey or refining an established giving strategy, this guide will help you understand how to integrate philanthropy, family values, and impact investing into a lasting legacy.

Why Intentional Legacy Planning Matters

Many wealthy families face a simple question: What is our wealth for?

Beyond financial security and lifestyle, many want their wealth to serve something greater—a cause, a community, a set of values. But too often, giving is reactive, fragmented, or inconsistent with long-term goals. Legacy planning with intention brings clarity, continuity, and measurable impact.

Here’s how we help families create legacies that last and matter:

Defining a Family Mission Statement

Before structures and strategies, we begin with purpose.

We guide families through a discovery process to create a Family Mission Statement—a document that captures shared values, long-term goals, and guiding principles. It answers questions like:

• What kind of impact do we want to have?

• Which causes or communities matter most to us?

• How should future generations engage with our wealth?

A well-crafted mission statement becomes a compass for all wealth decisions, from philanthropy to investing, and helps reduce conflicts by aligning everyone around a common vision.

Structuring Giving: Donor-Advised Funds, Charitable Trusts & Foundations

We help families turn vision into action by selecting the right charitable vehicles. Each comes with different tax benefits, levels of control, and complexity. Here are the most common:

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

• Simple, flexible, tax-efficient

• Allows you to contribute assets now, get an immediate tax deduction, and distribute funds to charities over time

• Easy to set up and manage, even with modest amounts

DAFs are often a starting point for families exploring philanthropy without the administrative burden of a private foundation.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)

• Provide income to the donor or family for life or a term of years

• Remainder goes to a designated charity

• Useful for estate planning, especially when selling highly appreciated assets

Private Foundations

• Ideal for families who want greater control, brand identity, and governance

• Higher costs and complexity, but allows for multi-generational involvement, direct grantmaking, and even family employment

We evaluate the pros and cons of each and design structures that fit your goals, timeline, and level of engagement.

Teaching Values Through Philanthropy

Philanthropy isn’t just about giving—it’s about teaching, bonding, and building character.

We work with families to turn giving into a hands-on educational experience. This includes:

• Family giving committees: Where children vote on grants and learn about causes

• Site visits to nonprofits to see impact in action

• Workshops on budgeting, due diligence, and nonprofit evaluation

• Encouraging next-gens to present proposals for charitable projects

These activities create a culture of generosity and responsibility, preparing heirs to be thoughtful stewards—not just passive beneficiaries.

Aligning Investments with Impact

Charitable giving is only one part of an intentional legacy. Many families also want to align their investments with their values—through sustainable investing, or impact investments.

We help clients:

• Build mission-aligned portfolios that avoid harm and promote good

• Invest in private opportunities—clean energy, healthcare, social enterprises—that generate both returns and impact

• Review fund managers for investment criteria

• Track performance in both financial and impact terms

This approach transforms wealth from a passive asset into a powerful engine of change, extending your impact well beyond traditional charity.

Engaging the Next Generation

Most wealth transfer plans fail—not because of bad tax strategy, but because heirs aren’t prepared.

We help families involve younger generations early, through:

• Values-based financial education

• Participation in family meetings and charitable strategy sessions

• Mentorship opportunities with impact leaders

• Digital tools and dashboards to monitor giving and investing

When families talk openly about wealth, responsibility, and purpose, the next generation is far more likely to embrace—and enhance—your legacy.

Creating a Living Legacy

Legacy isn’t just what you leave—it’s what you live.

That’s why we encourage clients to give while they’re alive, engage with the causes they support, and bring their families along for the journey. When philanthropy becomes part of family life—not just an estate plan—it transforms not only recipients but also givers.

Our clients often tell us this is the most meaningful part of their wealth planning: seeing their values in action, witnessing the change they’ve made, and knowing their family is aligned around a shared purpose.

7. Why Work With Us?

Our firm takes a holistic, values-based approach to wealth and philanthropy. We act as your partner across:

• Legacy planning

• Charitable structure design

• Impact portfolio construction

• Family education and engagement

We understand the technical side—tax optimization, legal vehicles, investment strategy—but we never lose sight of what truly matters: helping you make a lasting difference.

Our team works discreetly, thoughtfully, and with full customization. Whether you're starting your giving journey or refining a legacy plan, we provide institutional-quality service with deeply personal care.

Final Thoughts: Align Wealth With Purpose

If you’ve built wealth, you’ve already achieved something exceptional. But the ultimate goal for many isn’t just accumulation—it’s significance.

By integrating philanthropy, family values, and intentional strategy, you can create a legacy that lives far beyond balance sheets. You can inspire generations, uplift communities, and reflect what truly matters.

Let’s build a legacy worth remembering—on purpose.

Have questions, schedule your no-obligation consultation here.

Sources*:

National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP)

Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS)

Charity Navigator

*These organizations are not affiliated with IFG. IFG does not endorse, support, or recommend any information that is not provided by its affiliates or representatives.

Disclaimer:

Information provided is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a financial advise, an offer or solicitation to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or any other product or service. Accordingly, this document does not constitute investment advice or counsel or solicitation for investment in any security. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.