May is Legacy Month

The word legacy has been shifting for me, almost daily, in recent months.

Like many of our members, my son has just graduated from college, and my daughter is days away from graduating from high school. Other members glow about their own family’s milestones and memories, too, whether it’s a marriage, a new grandchild, or a family tradition carried forward.

These moments provoke the image of a ripple effect…sending something meaningful into the world; a monumental shift in the future of a family, a community, and perhaps beyond. We cheer from behind, hopeful and excited for what comes next.

It’s legacy.

I happen to be lucky enough, as you are, to be part of Marin Charitable, where in many ways, we are creating a different kind of legacy. Through our grants program, we are helping shape the futures of youth throughout our community (which, as I’ve noted in previous posts, is also shaping our own futures in return).

The idea of legacy is the very reason we established our endowment five years ago. Through its continued growth, we are helping ensure the future of Marin Charitable’s grants program and our long-term commitment to the youth of Marin County.

Even more meaningful are the generous individuals and families who have chosen to include Marin Charitable in their wills and trusts. That kind of legacy extends far beyond a single lifetime.

It’s a concept worth celebrating, especially during Legacy Month.

I love the idea of leaving things better than I found them, and I suppose “leaving a legacy” lives somewhere within that thinking.

What am I leaving behind?

I certainly want to leave my family better off than I could have imagined. What if I could do the same for our community? Is that possible?