An Intimate Conversation on Legacy Planning in Houston: Turning Donor Intent into Action 

Legacy planning and philanthropic planning are among the most important steps donors can take to align charitable giving with family values—today and for future generations. This recap of Greater Houston Community Foundation’s small-group workshop shares practical strategies for estate planning, planned giving, and choosing the right charitable vehicles (like a donor advised fund). 

In March, we convened a high‑touch workshop designed for a group of philanthropists who are thinking deeply about legacy planning, charitable giving, and the values they hope to pass on to the next generation. The result was an imminently helpful, candid conversation—one that moved beyond theory and into real‑world strategies donors can use now. 

Quick Takeaways

Legacy Planning + Charitable Giving 

• Legacy planning is a living process: review every 3–5 years (and after major life, tax, or business changes). 

• Start family conversations early to strengthen multigenerational philanthropy and reduce surprises later. 

• Choose the right charitable vehicle: donor advised funds (DAFs), private foundations, supporting organizations, and field of interest funds each fit different goals. 

• Turn intent into action with prompts, writing exercises, and a clear next-step plan. 

This intimate gathering created space not just to listen, but to reflect, draft, and take concrete next steps toward a thoughtful, flexible philanthropic legacy. 

Legacy Planning & Estate Planning: A Process

Not a One-Time Decision

The gathering kicked off with Phil Lewis, a long-time Greater Houston Community Foundation Fundholder, and his estate planning attorney, Lauren Doughty, a Partner at Troutman Pepper Locke’s Houston office and who serves on the Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor Council. Together, Lauren and Phil modeled the kind of trusted partnership that makes legacy planning both deeply personal, effective, and strategic when you have a philanthropic partner like the Community Foundation. 

One of the clearest themes of the workshop was that estate planning and legacy planning are not “set it and forget it” exercises. Lauren shared how legacy planning evolves with changes in laws, as assets shift, when family dynamics grow, and as children develop their own perspectives. 

Rather than trying to solve everything at once, donors were encouraged to think in manageable periods. Looking at a three‑to‑five‑year window can make complex charitable planning feel more approachable and adaptable. Just as important: revisiting plans regularly. A flexible structure allows donors to update intent without constantly revising legal documents. 

Read more about Lauren Doughty.

Talk Early: Bringing Family into Philanthropic Legacy Planning 

Longtime Community Foundation fundholder, Phil Lewis, offered a deeply personal perspective on building a family legacy. He shared that his journey began well before selling his company, when he placed 15% of his stock into a supporting organization with Greater Houston Community Foundation, laying the groundwork for future impact. 

Phil emphasized the value of involving his children and grandchildren early. What started as small portions of a giving strategy for each child eventually became entire sections they steward independently. His message resonated throughout the room: your family may think entirely differently from you—and that’s okay.

Giving children and grandchildren space to make grants in their own way fosters engagement, ownership, and learning. As Phil noted, it’s far more meaningful, and more fun, to experience philanthropy together while you’re alive than leaving decisions behind as a surprise. 

Estate Planning Priorities: Four Choices for Your Assets

Taxes, Family, Charity, & You 

During the workshop, Phil distilled estate decisions into four simple options for assets: Uncle Sam, yourself, charity, or family and friends. The conversation wasn’t about percentages or totals, but about intention. 

“The total or percentage of what you give away is not important. It is the function of doing it and lessons to you and family that are important.”

– Phil Lewis, Community Foundation Fundholder 

Giving back teaches lessons, sparks conversations, and reinforces shared values across generations. 

Charitable Giving Options: Understanding Common Charitable Vehicles 

A major focus of the workshop was helping donors (individuals, families, groups, companies, or other foundations) understand different charitable vehicles and strategies that are often used with philanthropic legacy planning. Below is a list of the most discussed items, and it not a comprehensive list of all charitable fund types offered through Greater Houston Community Foundation. 

Donor Advised Funds 

Donor advised funds (DAFs) are an accessible, tax-efficient way to formalize charitable giving without the administrative burden of running a private foundation. Donors recommend grants from a DAF to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Grant checks can include the fund name, and donors can choose their preferred level of recognition—including anonymous grants. 

Donors often use DAFs when they want: 

• Simple, flexible way to give to multiple charities 

• Immediate tax deduction with the ability to grant over time 

• Minimal administrative work (no filings, audits, or board meetings) 

• Lower cost and complexity  

• Ideal for donors who want convenience without ongoing governance responsibility 

Read more about donor advised funds.

Private Foundations 

Private foundations are independent legal entities established to execute grantmaking and other charitable programs. Unlike public charities that typically receive funding from multiple sources, private foundations are usually funded by a single individual, family, or corporation. They operate under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making them tax-exempt organizations. Every private foundation must have a governing board of directors or trustees who oversee operations, manage assets, and direct grantmaking activities. They are also subject to strict regulations regarding reporting, tax filings, and other legal requirements to maintain their tax-exempt status. 

Private foundations are often used when donors want: 

• Maximum control over grantmaking and operations 

• Ability to employ staff and run charitable programs directly 

• Formal family governance and multigenerational involvement 

• Strong public identity and legacy under the family name 

• Flexibility to fund a wide range of charitable activities (beyond grants alone) 

• Best suited for very large asset levels that justify added complexity and cost 

Read more about the benefits of starting a private foundation.

Supporting Organizations 

Supporting Organizations (SO) are legally separated nonprofits that leverage the 501(c)(3) status of Greater Houston Community Foundation, where the Community Foundation provides accounting, compliance, tax filing, board logistics, advisory support, and administrative services. SOs were discussed as a “hybrid option” of a DAF and private foundation as they offer more structure and perceived control than a DAF, while avoiding the complexity, disclosure requirements, and administrative burden of a private foundation.  

Supporting organizations are often used when donors want: 

• More control than a typical DAF structure 

• A dedicated board, mission, and identity 

• Public charity status (instead of private foundation rules) 

• Administrative and compliance support handled by a trusted institution 

Field of Interest Funds 

Field of Interest Funds are a way to benefit an interest, cause, or even community that is important to you. Donors describe the field of interest broadly or narrowly (e.g., fine arts, health, or a specific community). This fund type does not name specific charitable beneficiaries. Grant checks bear the name of the fund, and donors may determine levels of publicity, including anonymous grants.  

Field of interest funds work best for donors that: 

• Care deeply about a specific issue area, not a specific charity 

• Want flexibility as organizations and solutions evolve  

• Seek expert guidance on where to give within an issue area and values the Community Foundation’s knowledge of effective nonprofits 

• Remain engaged through an advisory committee without the responsibility of running a separate nonprofit or private foundation  

• Hope to pool resources around a shared cause to create greater collective impact  

• Want long‑term, adaptable impact that can respond to changing community needs 

Read more about field of interest funds.

Other Charitable Strategies 

Private foundation conversions were discussed as attendees learned that many goals traditionally associated with private foundations can now be accomplished through DAFs—often with greater flexibility and fewer constraints. Read more about Nora Annunziato and how she helped her family convert their private foundation to a DAF. 

Philanthropic loans, or a loan to a public charity through a DAF at the Community Foundation, were also discussed as impactful tools. A philanthropic loan is an innovative giving tool that allows donors to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations through structured lending rather than traditional grants. Unlike outright donations, philanthropic loans are repaid to the donor’s charitable account over time, often with modest interest. They create a sustainable funding cycle in which the same charitable dollars can be used to support multiple causes over the years. Read more about Ken Bohan’s experience leveraging his DAF to provide a low-interest loan to Avenue360. 

Philanthropy should be discussed early when planning to sell a business. Engaging early allows donors to thoughtfully align charitable goals with financial outcomes, rather than making rushed decisions after a sale closes. Early planning can also unlock more strategic, tax‑efficient ways to give and create a lasting philanthropic legacy tied to the business’s success. 

Continue reading about the ROI of Smart Giving: Strategic Philanthropy for Business Owners, Families, & Advisors.

Creating a Lasting Charitable Legacy: Instructions, Successor Advisors, and Stewardship 

At the workshop, attendees walked through the Community Foundation’s Legacy Planning framework. The guided workbook helps donors think about charitable assets as well as values. Upon completion of the workbook, donors uncover and document their values, stories, life lessons, family traditions, and passions to help inform and inspire giving.  

When planning your legacy, it is essential to leave the Community Foundation with clear instructions regarding the administration of the charitable assets in your fund. This also should include any charitable assets that are to be received through planned estate gifts upon their succession either due to death or incapacity.  

A Sample Legacy Plan: The Kim Family Charitable Fund 

This sample legacy plan presented in this blog is a fictionalized account of real-world scenarios, created for educational purposes only.

Lina and Michael have shared this plan with their family, who are already involved with the Family Fund. To prepare for the future of the Family Fund, their daughter participated in the Community Foundation’s Next Gen Donor Institute, building the skills and confidence to steward the family’s philanthropy alongside other family members.  The funds bequeathed to The Kim Family Charitable Fund will be divided as follows:  

1. Direct Charitable Distributions: 50% of the bequeathed fund’s value
   Assets will first be used to make direct grants in the percentages specified to each of the organizations listed by the donor. (As part of a legacy plan, donors may choose to designate specific nonprofit organizations to receive direct charitable distributions from their fund. These direct grants will be one-time distributions from the fund to the nonprofit grantees listed and to be distributed as soon as reasonably possible once the estate has been settled and upon approval of the fund’s successor advisors.  

2. Kim Family Charitable Fund: 25% of the bequeathed fund’s value
   25% of the assets will continue in the Kim Family Charitable Fund and will be distributed according to the annual recommendations of the primary advisor/s of The Kim Family Charitable Fund and approved by the Governing Board and in accordance with the current policies of Greater Houston Community Foundation. 

3. Kim Family Endowment for Houston: 25% of the bequeathed fund’s value
   The remaining assets will be endowed to support the greatest needs and seize the greatest opportunities for positive impact in Houston. Endowed assets will make perpetual grants enhancing quality of life for Houston’s most vulnerable communities possible. Grants will be made at the discretion of the Governing Board of Greater Houston Community Foundation either through the Community Impact Fund and/or to support new impactful initiatives of the Community Foundation. As longtime fundholders with the Community Foundation, it is the wish of the Kim family to ensure the future of the Community Foundation so it will continue to be a leading resource for the next generation of Houston donors, community residents and leaders for generations to come. 

 Because the Kim family has provided general guidelines, the Community Foundation will steward the funds accordingly allowing their philanthropy to remain both intentional and adaptable over time. 

From Listening to Doing 

The final portion of the workshop shifted from discussion to action. Participants used legacy cards, guided prompts, and writing exercises to begin articulating donor intent and identifying the next steps. By the end, donors left empowered. 

This session reinforced a core belief at the Community Foundation: legacy planning is not about perfection. It’s about clarity, communication, and creating space for values to live on through family and community. 

FAQ: Legacy Planning, Planned Giving, & Donor Advised Funds 

What is legacy planning?
Legacy planning is the process of documenting how you want your values, assets, and charitable priorities carried forward, often through an estate plan, successor advisors, and clear giving guidelines. 

How is estate planning different from legacy planning?
Estate planning focuses on legal documents (wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations). Legacy planning adds the “why”—your intentions, family conversations, and how charitable gifts should be stewarded over time. 

What is a donor advised fund (DAF)?
A donor advised fund is a charitable account that allows you to contribute assets, receive an immediate tax deduction (subject to IRS rules), and recommend grants to qualified nonprofits over time. 

Should I choose a private foundation or a donor advised fund?
It depends on your goals. Private foundations can offer maximum control and a formal governance structure, but they come with more administrative work and regulatory requirements. DAFs are often simpler and more flexible for ongoing grantmaking. 

What is a letter of wishes in legacy planning?
A letter of wishes is a non-binding document that explains the intent behind your plan—your charitable priorities, decision-making values, and guidance for family members or advisors. It can be updated without rewriting legal documents. 

When should I review my philanthropic legacy plan?
A good rule of thumb is every 3–5 years, and anytime there’s a major life change (marriage, divorce, new child/grandchild), a significant shift in assets, or new tax/estate law changes. 

Next Steps: Get Support for Your Legacy Plan and Charitable Giving Strategy 

If you’re ready to begin—or revisit—your philanthropic legacy, we’re here to help. At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we believe a charitable legacy is more than a monetary gift: it’s your story, your values, and the impact you want to make in the Houston community for generations. 

Creating a legacy plan can help you connect with your motivations for giving, as well as preserve your charitable legacy for years to come. By documenting your philanthropic goals now, you are creating a roadmap for your future philanthropic efforts, which will serve as a way for successive generations to access your charitable intentions and inspirations.  

Legacy planning is an easy to kick down the road, but if two or more of the below items resonate with you, now would be a great time to connect: 

1. Ensure your philanthropic wishes are appropriately stewarded now and in the future 

2. Provide a foundation for financial, life transition, and philanthropic decisions 

3. Improve generational communication and relationships 

4. Clarify what is important in your life, family, and giving 

5. Inspire generational generosity 

Ready to start your journey? Call us at 713-333-2210 or reach out directly to learn more about how we can help you achieve your philanthropic vision. 

More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation

• $500,000 Invested in Houston’s Future
• Retirement Redefined: How Philanthropy Can Fuel Your Purpose
• How To Choose the Right Charitable Vehicle of Your Giving Goals
• What to do with an Inheritance

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