A donor legacy statement or video typically focuses on how the overall life experiences of the donors and their family inform and guide the grantmaking mission, strategies, and practices of the foundation. These statements may be written by the donors alone, by the donors with other family members, or, in cases where the donor is no longer alive, by family members or a long-time colleague.
This Content Collection provides suggestions on what to include in donor legacy statements, as well as sample legacy statements and stories of how families have translated legacy into grantmaking priorities and focus.
For an exploration of how the traditional concept of donor intent evolved toward the more robust idea of a living, family legacy, see NCFP’s 2001 Journal, Living The Legacy: The Values of a Family’s Philanthropy Across Generations.
Start Here
Things We Wish Our Founders Had Told Us: Interpreting Donor Legacy
Passages Issue Briefs
How Can We Prepare for the Death of Our Founder or Donor?
Ask the Center
Thrive at Five: The Secrets of Long-Term Family Philanthropy
Passages Issue BriefsTips and Tools for Creating a Legacy Statement or Video
Sample Legacy and Intent Statements
NCFP Webinars
Seeding Family Tradition
Webinar
Donor Perspectives
From Legacy to Strategy
Additional Perspectives on Donor and Family Legacy
