When people hear the term legacy giving, many imagine billionaires leaving behind vast fortunes or families establishing grand philanthropic foundations.

It’s an understandable assumption. Stories of large charitable bequests often dominate headlines. But in reality, legacy giving is not reserved for the ultra-wealthy. In fact, many legacy donors are ordinary individuals who simply want to make a difference beyond their lifetime.

At its heart, legacy giving is a simple idea: leaving a gift through your Will or other estate planning arrangements to support causes you care about after your lifetime.

It is less about the size of one’s wealth, and more about the values one hopes to pass on.

A Gift Anyone Can Make

Legacy giving is often more accessible than people think.

Unlike many forms of charitable giving, it does not require individuals to part with assets during their lifetime. Instead, a legacy gift is typically arranged as part of one’s estate planning, allowing individuals to set aside a portion of their assets to support causes they care about after their lifetime.

This means the gift does not affect one’s current financial security or lifestyle. It can be structured as a fixed sum, a percentage of the estate, or even a specific asset.

Individuals can choose to set aside a portion of what they already have, whether cash, insurance policies, CPF nominations, securities, or other assets.

Even a modest gift can help support communities and causes long into the future.

Family Comes First

One common concern people have is whether leaving a legacy gift means taking away from their loved ones.

In reality, most people prioritise their family first. Legacy giving typically happens after individuals have provided for those closest to them, allowing them to dedicate a small portion of their estate to the wider community.

For many donors, it becomes a way of expressing gratitude for the opportunities they have had in life.

A Reflection of Personal Values

(PHOTOS: DAVID LIM)

Many legacy gifts are deeply personal.

Some donors choose to honour a loved one by supporting a cause that reflects their compassion. Others create funds that allow their children to continue giving and uphold the family’s values across generations.

For some, life experiences shape the causes they choose to support.

Mountaineer David Lim, who led Singapore’s first Mount Everest expedition in 1998, spent years preparing a team to attempt the world’s highest peak.

Shortly after returning from the expedition, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare nerve disorder that left him partially disabled. Living with disability deepened his empathy for those who often feel overlooked or vulnerable. Through the David Lim Everest Foundation, he now supports causes such as disability inclusion and animal welfare, two causes he cares deeply about

Because David has made a legacy giving pledge with the Community Foundation of Singapore (CFS), his endowment fund will be stewarded by CFS, generating returns in perpetuity to support these causes. In this way, his commitment to compassion and dignity can continue to make an impact long after his lifetime.

Leaving More Than Wealth Behind

Legacy giving allows individuals to turn their values into lasting impact.

Whether it supports education, healthcare, social mobility, or the arts, a legacy gift can help strengthen communities for years to come.

Ultimately, legacy giving is not about by the size of a gift.

It is about the difference it makes.

Turning Values Into Lasting Impact

If you’d like to explore how legacy giving can help your clients turn their values into lasting impact, the Community Foundation of Singapore can support you in structuring meaningful and effective giving solutions. Reach out to us at contactus@cf.org.sg to start the conversation.

Read the Mandarin version here.