National Estate Planning Week: Leaving a Legacy that Lasts for Waterloo Students

Last week, the Waterloo Schools Foundation celebrated National Estate Planning Week. Every October, this reminds us of something simple yet powerful:

planning today shapes tomorrow. While estate planning ensures that loved ones are cared for, it can also be a way to extend your impact beyond your lifetime.

For those who believe in power of public education, including the Waterloo Schools Foundation in your plans is a meaningful way to leave a legacy that inspires and equips generations of students.

WHY ESTATE PLANNING MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER

We are living through the Great Wealth Transfer - an estimated $124 trillion will move from older generations to heirs and charities by 2048. Yet, fewer than half of Americans have an estate plan in place. Taking that step now ensures your wishes are honored and your values live on. With thoughtful planning, some of this transfer can support the values and institutions that shaped our lives, like our public schools.

For foundations like ours, estate gifts are a lifeline. They provide stability, allowing us to plan ahead and fund programs that might not otherwise be possible.

THE POWER OF ESTATE GIFTS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

When you include the WSF in your estate plans, you're making an investment in students who will walk the halls of our schools long after you're gone.

Estate gifts can:

• Support long-term student success: Estate gifts create funding innovative classroom projects, career training, individual academic experiences for students, and college-prep opportunities that equip students for success in life.

• Leave a lasting local impact: Your contribution stays right here in Waterloo, helping to strengthen our local community and ensure that every student has access to high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.

• Create a legacy of learning: By investing in education, you ensure that your legacy supports the development of future generations. Your gift will continue to shape our schools and help students thrive, both academically and personally, for years to come.

Whether it's a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount, or simply naming the Waterloo Schools Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement account, every contribution makes a difference.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

National Estate Planning Week is more than paperwork; it's about values. By planning ahead, you can ensure your legacy reflects what matters most to you. For those who care about public education in Waterloo, an estate gift is a powerful way to ensure every child has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.

Contact Hannah Luce at 319-214-0134 for more information and to see sample language for including the Foundation in your will or beneficiary designations.