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Make Literacy Your Legacy: Planned Giving Guide

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a reminder that planning for the future is one of the most meaningful ways we can care for the people, values, and causes that matter most to us. 

For many donors, a will is more than a legal document. It is a reflection of what they love, what they believe in, and what they hope will carry forward long into the future.  

For those who believe every child deserves to be a reader, planned giving offers a powerful way to support children’s literacy for generations to come. 

What Is Planned Giving 

A donor once laughed good naturedly when I’d asked if she’d ever considered a planned gift, replying, “Well, all my gifts are planned. I think about each one before I make it.” 

She had a point, and what unfolded was a lovely conversation about her beliefs, what she holds dear, and how we could protect her wishes far into the future. 

While its name may be unclear, planned giving refers to charitable gifts made as part of a donor’s long-term financial or estate plans. They are not given today, but planned for the future. 

One of the most common forms of planned giving is including a nonprofit organization in a will or estate plan. This is called a bequest. 

A bequest can be: 

  • A specific dollar amount 
  • A percentage of an estate 
  • A particular asset 
  • The remainder of an estate after other commitments are fulfilled.  

Planned gifts are simple to establish, allowing donors to make a lasting difference while still providing for loved ones and other personal priorities.  

Why Planned Giving Matters for Children’s Literacy 

Reading is one of the most important skills a child can develop. It supports success in school, builds confidence, opens doors to new ideas, and helps children imagine new possibilities for their futures. 

When donors include Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) in their estate plans, they are ensuring that future generations of children have access to books, literacy resources, and reading experiences that can shape their lives. 

A planned gift to support children’s literacy is a statement of belief: that every child deserves to read, learn, and thrive. 

A Book Is a Gift That Lasts a Lifetime 

Some gifts are enjoyed for a moment. Others can shape one’s life.  

A book has the power to do both. 

For a child, owning a book can spark confidence, curiosity, and create a sense of possibility. A story read today becomes a memory, a skill, or a kernel of inspiration that stays with that child for years.  

Planned giving carries a similar spirit. It allows donors to make a gift that reaches beyond their own lifetime and continues supporting young readers in the years ahead.  

How Planned Gifts Support RIF’s Work 

Many people know RIF as the platform that allows children to choose and own new books. Book ownership and choice remain key pillars of our work because children are more likely to engage with reading when they have books that excite them and they can call their own. 

What many don’t know is that RIF’s work goes beyond placing books into children’s hands.  

Support from RIF’s donors makes it possible to create and share literacy resources for families and educators, strengthen partnerships with schools and communities, and refine, pilot, and expand programs that meet the needs of today’s children, all at no cost to those we serve.  

A planned gift can help sustain this work for years to come, providing future support that helps children become lifelong readers.  

Why Donors Include RIF in Their Will 

Every donor has a personal reason for giving.  

Some donors give because they remember the first book that made them love reading. Some donors give because they struggled to read as a child. Some donors want to honor a parent, teacher, librarian, or loved one who shaped their journey. And others give as a manifestation of their belief in education, opportunity, and helping children.  

Including RIF in a will is a deeply meaningful way to carry those values forward.  

It allows donors to create a legacy rooted in access, opportunity, and the belief that literacy can change the course of a child’s life.  

A Simple Way to Begin 

National Make-A-Will Month is a helpful opportunity to review your plans, update important documents, and consider the legacy you want to leave. If children’s literacy has been meaningful to you or your family, you may wish to consider including RIF as part of your estate plans.  

A planned gift of any size can help ensure that all children have access to books and literacy resources that support learning, confidence, and joy.  

Planned giving is ultimately about hope. 

It is a way to care for the future, support the values that have shaped your life, and help create opportunities for the generations that follow us.   

If you have questions about including RIF in your will, I would welcome the chance to connect and discuss how we can make literacy your legacy.  

Please note that Reading Is Fundamental does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage donors to consult their professional advisors to determine the charitable giving strategies that are most appropriate for their individual circumstances.