Make Your Love Last Beyond Your Lifetime: Legacy Giving for Cats
- May 7
- 2 min read
May is Legacy Giving (Planned Giving) Month, a time to reflect on the impact we want to leave behind and the lives we can continue to save, even in the future.
For those who love cats, this a powerful opportunity to ensure that compassion doesn’t end with us, it lives on. If you've considered joining our Guardians Circle, this article may help you decide which option is right for you.
What Is Legacy (Planned) Giving?
Planned giving - also called legacy giving - is a way to support a cause you care about by including it in your long-term financial or estate plans.
These gifts are often arranged now and fulfilled later, typically through a will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy.
In simple terms: It’s a way to make one of the most meaningful gifts of your life - without impacting your day-to-day finances.
Why It Matters
Legacy gifts are more than donations - they are lasting acts of compassion. For nonprofits like For the Love of Cats, planned gifts can:
Provide long-term stability and sustainability
Fund lifesaving programs and medical care
Help rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home cats for years to come
Because these gifts are often larger and future-focused, they can transform what’s possible - expanding services and saving more lives.
A Gift That Reflects Your Values
Many supporters choose legacy giving because it aligns with what matters most to them.
It allows you to:
Leave a lasting impact on a cause you love
Support animals even beyond your lifetime
Create a legacy rooted in compassion
For cat lovers, it’s a beautiful way to say:“This cause mattered to me, and I want it to continue.”
Simple Ways to Give
Planned giving may sound complex, but it can be surprisingly simple. Some of the most common options include:
Bequests in a will or trust: Designate a specific amount, percentage, or asset to support cats in need
Beneficiary designations: Name a nonprofit as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy
Gifts of assets: Donate stocks, property, vehicles, or other valuables as part of your estate plan
The most popular option is a charitable bequest, because it’s flexible and easy to update over time.
Being "Wealthy" is Not a Requirement
One of the biggest misconceptions about legacy giving is that it’s only for the wealthy.
In reality, supporters of all income levels can participate.
Because these gifts come from assets rather than everyday income, they are accessible to many people, and can still make a profound difference.
Start Your Legacy Today
We encourage you to speak with your financial advisor or estate planner about your options, and to let us know if you’ve included us in your plans so we can thank you and honor your generosity.
Learn more about planned giving, our Guardians Circle, and how to get started here: https://www.fortheloveofcatsfl.com/planned-giving
Every rescue, every life saved, every second chance, it all starts with someone who cared enough to act. Legacy giving is simply that care, extended into the future.
