When Habitat builds a home, we build with sustainability and durability at the forefront – because we know these homes create sturdy foundations not just for the walls they support, but for the future of the families that will live there.
We believe in increasing access to homeownership because we know that legacies are powerful. A home is an asset that pays it forward for every generation to come. And it’s the same reason we encourage you to take care of your own assets with the same mindfulness – and it starts with a will.
BENEFITS OF MAKING A WILL
Creating a will is a legal process, but at its core, it’s also an important way to provide peace of mind for yourself. Your planning ensures loved ones and beloved charities, like Habitat, are taken care of and your legacy of generosity preserved.
Having a will means you can:
- Choose the person you want to handle your estate. By clearly stating the representative of your estate, you simplify the court process for family and friends.
- Name beneficiaries of your assets – including property. By distributing your assets in a legal will, you can find a sense of peace knowing your loved ones are taken care of and how. Plus, this can eliminate any guesswork and potential disputes among family and friends.
- Impact the lives of others in your community. By including a charity in your will, you’re inspiring those you care about by leaving a legacy you can feel pride in now. And when you support Habitat for Humanity in your will, you build something that, like a Habitat home, can last: a legacy that can keep Habitat building more, long into the future.
BENEFITS OF MAKING A WILL
When you make a bequest to Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley in your will or trust, you’re making a powerful difference in your community while leaving a legacy your family and friends will be proud of.
But first, you need a will. Did you know that only 60% of U.S. adults living in households with children have not created a will? Honestly, we are not surprised. Making a will can be a daunting task. You might fear that it’s a time consuming or expensive process, but guess what – it definitely doesn’t have to be!
Making a will is a simple but powerful way that you can contribute to Habitat’s mission, and it can be a lot easier than you think. Through a partnership with FreeWill, we’re able to guide you through the process of creating a legally valid will, free of charge. That’s just a few minutes to ensure your loved ones and your assets are taken care of according to your wishes.
And, there’s no better time to include Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley in your will or trust, whether you’re creating one from scratch, amending your current estate plans, or simply letting us know that we’re already in your plans (thank you, by the way!). That’s because for every planned gift to Habitat that is documented – new or existing – we’ll receive something today. A Legacy Match Fund – provided by a generous group of supporters – will match 10% of your bequest’s value and donate it to Habitat when you document a planned gift. That means your generosity starts building today, while your planned gift will keep us building tomorrow.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR WILL
How will Habitat honor your legacy?
Just ask one homeowner we’ve served through our Home Preservation Program. She and her husband watched as our team set to work on their home, making critical repairs that impacted their daily health and safety. They knew, she says, that they needed to do something to return the kindness. That “something” they chose was to designate Habitat as a beneficiary in their will. Even though their income could not accommodate a gift to Habitat today, they reasoned that “this is a way that everybody can make a contribution.”
She felt moved to include Habitat in their will, because it was about more than having a working air conditioner through the summer, or leaving the house without worry that she'd trip on sunken floorboards or fall down loose stairs. It was the peace of mind she can feel, secure in the home she shared with her beloved husband – whom she tragically lost in 2019 – even on her single, limited income. It was knowing the comfort he was able to feel in their home in his final months, and how important it was to him that she remain in their home after his passing. It was being raised in the 1940s with an emphasis on “kindness,” and a belief in the idea that, “This should be a part of life: If we can help someone in any way, we should.”
She knows that with her bequest, Habitat can “keep plugging away,” serving more homeowners like her. Her wish is that “Habitat, in one way or another, will forever be out there.”
This homeowner’s legacy is the epitome of “paying it forward.” She can remain in the home she owns and loves, made secure by Habitat – and her gift makes homeownership a reality for people and families she will never meet.
HOW TO GET STARTED
To help you get started or review your will or living trust, Habitat has curated resources that we’re happy to share with you. As you review them, it’s also important to discuss your unique circumstances and goals with an estate planning attorney.
- A free Personal Estate Planning Toolkit
- Access to FreeWill - an online resource for creating a legally valid will or living trust in just 20 minutes - free of charge.
- 1-on-1 guidance from Habitat's Planned Giving Officer to discuss how your estate plan can support the ongoing work of Habitat. To schedule a time to meet, contact Lisa Amor, Planned Giving Officer, lamor@habitatebsv.org or (408) 273-7196.
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