As the New Year begins, many of us set goals to improve our health, strengthen relationships, or get our finances in order. But here’s a resolution that can bring lasting meaning into 2026 and beyond: take steps to plan your will or estate and consider including a gift that supports charities, like Catholic Charities of New York’s mission for years to come.
Why Planned Giving Matters
Planned giving, also called legacy or estate giving, means arranging a charitable gift now that benefits Catholic Charities of New York in the future. These gifts can be made through tools such as wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, life-income arrangements, gifts of real estate, and more. They allow you to support the causes you care about like Catholic Charities of New York, most while often providing tax advantages and peace of mind knowing your legacy will endure.
Whether it’s a simple bequest through your will or naming Catholic Charities of New York as a beneficiary of a retirement account, these gifts help ensure the organization can continue meeting critical needs within our communities for generations.
The Power of Planning Ahead
Catholic Charities of New York touches countless lives each year, from feeding hungry families and preventing homelessness to offering legal services for immigrants and supporting mental health programs. Planned gifts provide a dependable source of funding that allows long-term planning and sustainability for these essential services.
Here’s how a future gift can make a difference:
- Bequests through your will or trust can provide flexible support for whatever area of Catholic Charities of New York’s work you care about most.
- Beneficiary designations on IRAs, 401(k)s, or life insurance policies are simple ways to leave a lasting impact without cost today.
- Charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts can offer income during your lifetime and support the charity in the future.
A Meaningful New Year’s Resolution
If you don’t yet have a will or estate plan, making one could be a transformative 2026 resolution. Not only does it protect your loved ones and clarify your wishes, it opens the door to legacy giving that aligns with your values and extends compassion well beyond your lifetime. Many people find that planning a will and exploring charitable options like bequests or beneficiary gifts gives deeper purpose to the year ahead.
For those who already have estate plans, reviewing them with an eye toward legacy giving can be a powerful way to reaffirm your commitment to service and compassion.
Learn More and Get Started
Catholic Charities of New York offers resources to help you explore planned giving options:
- Please visit the Planned Giving site to learn about different ways to give and tools that make planning easier.
- Consider using free online will-writing tools endorsed by Catholic Charities, like FreeWill or MyCatholicWill, to start your estate planning today.
- Speak with a trusted financial or estate planning advisor to find the approach that fits your goals and circumstances.
This New Year, resolve to make a plan that reflects your faith, your values, and your compassion for others. A planned gift to Catholic Charities of New York is more than a donation, it’s a legacy of hope that will endure into the future.
If you’re curious to learn more about how to begin, Catholic Charities of New York’s Planned Giving team is ready to help you take the next steps.
