What the Latest Giving USA Report Means for Your Legacy

The latest Giving USA report is shining a spotlight on an important trend in philanthropy: bequest giving which increased by nearly 20% in 2025, marking the third double-digit increase in the past four years and making it the fastest-growing source of charitable giving. The growth in bequest giving reflects a growing recognition that charitable giving is not only about what we do today; it's also about the future we want to help create.

Why More People Are Choosing Planned Giving

A planned gift, often made through a will, trust, retirement account, or beneficiary designation, allows you to make a meaningful future gift without affecting your current financial situation.

• For many donors, Planned Giving provides an opportunity to:
• Express their values and priorities through their legacy
• Support loved ones while also supporting charitable causes
• Create a larger impact than might be possible through annual giving alone
• Ensure organizations they trust can continue serving future generations

What This Means for Family Service Rochester and our Community

At Family Service Rochester, we see every day how generosity changes lives through mental health services, child and family support programs, and aging services that help older adults remain independent and connected.

While some of our programs receive support through county, state, federal, insurance, or grant funding, those resources don't always cover the full cost of care. Funding priorities change, grants end, reimbursement rates fall short, and some individuals may not qualify for assistance programs.

That's where charitable gifts make a difference.

Donations, including planned gifts and bequests, help ensure that no one is turned away simply because funding is limited. They allow us to provide services on a sliding fee scale, meet emerging community needs, and continue serving individuals and families when other funding sources are unavailable or insufficient.

A planned gift is more than a future donation. It is an investment in the long-term health and well-being of our community. By including Family Service Rochester in your estate plans, you're helping ensure that future generations will have access to counseling, caregiver support, family programs, and other essential services, even during times when funding is tight.

Start the Conversation

Planned giving is a personal decision, and every situation is unique. We encourage you to visit with your financial advisor, attorney, or tax professional about how a charitable gift can fit into your overall estate plans.

If you'd like to learn more about bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, or other planned giving options, and how this will make an impact, we're also here to help answer your questions. Visit our planned giving page to learn more: Learn More About Planned Giving at Family Service Rochester.

Or contact Jennifer Pinske, Director of Community Engagement, for a confidential conversation about how your legacy can help ensure that individuals and families in our community continue to receive support for generations to come.