Cause area
Leave a legacy for Faith & Congregations
Leave a gift to your congregation or a faith-based charity so its work continues for the next generation.
Why it matters
For many families, a congregation is where life's milestones happen. A legacy gift helps it keep serving, from worship to food pantries.
Religion remains the largest destination for U.S. charitable giving: about $152 billion in 2025, nearly a quarter of the $617 billion total.
Sources:
Where an extra dollar goes furthest
These are the kinds of programs our research looks at first in this cause. With a research-guided gift, specific organizations are chosen when your gift arrives, so it can go to what works best then.
Your congregation
A gift to its endowment or general fund.
Faith-based relief
Relief and development organizations rooted in your tradition.
Religious education
Scholarships and schools.
Three ways to give to your faith community
Recommended
Research-guided gift
Your will dedicates the gift to your faith community and asks your executor to choose the most effective organizations working on it when the time comes, guided by published research.
A charity you name
Leave your gift to a specific organization you already know and trust.
Your own named fund
Start a fund in your name or a loved one's that gives to your faith community every year. How it works
Sample wording for your will
Our builder fills this in for you. If you already have a will, share this wording with your attorney.
I give ____ percent (____%) of my residuary estate to [full legal name of your congregation or organization], of [city, state], for its religious and charitable work.
Sample language for discussion with your attorney. Not legal advice.
Questions about giving to your faith community
Do I need my congregation's tax ID?
It helps your executor, but it isn't required. Use its full legal name and city. Many congregations are tax-exempt without having an individual IRS determination letter.
Can I give to my congregation and another cause?
Yes. You can choose up to eight causes and set the share for each with the sliders.
Add your faith community to your plan
Choose your causes, set the amounts with sliders, and print your documents. Free and private.
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