One of the most important conversations happening in philanthropy today is not about investment markets, annual fundraising campaigns, or economic forecasts. It is about understanding how wealth moves through communities and what that movement could mean for future generations.
At CAPTRUST, we are seeing growing interest in transfer-of-wealth research among community foundations across the country. These studies provide a different lens through which organizations can view their work. Rather than focusing solely on today’s needs, they help foundations think about future philanthropic capacity and the role charitable planning can play in shaping long-term community impact. Research of this kind has become a valuable planning tool because it shifts the conversation from immediate needs to future possibilities.
The significance of this trend is difficult to ignore. According to Cerulli Associates, an estimated $124 trillion is expected to transfer from older generations to spouses, heirs, and charitable organizations through 2048. Of that amount, approximately $18 trillion is projected to flow to charity, creating one of the largest philanthropic opportunities in modern history.
At the same time, charitable giving remains remarkably resilient. According to Giving USA 2026, charitable giving in the United States exceeded $617 billion in 2025 for the first time. Perhaps most noteworthy for community foundations, bequest giving increased nearly 20 percent, making it the fastest-growing source of charitable giving during the year. Philanthropic leaders have pointed to these trends as early evidence that the long-discussed Great Wealth Transfer is beginning to take shape.
Community foundations across the country are using these insights to strengthen endowment development efforts and encourage more meaningful conversations about legacy. The data itself matters, but its real power lies in helping donors think beyond immediate charitable needs and toward the lasting impact they hope to create.
That is where planned giving becomes especially meaningful. Through a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or other estate planning tool, donors can do more than transfer assets. They can transfer values. They can create a lasting expression of what matters most to them and helps ensure those values continue to benefit future generations.
Community foundations are uniquely positioned to bring those intentions to life. Endowed funds can provide ongoing support for nonprofits, scholarships, civic initiatives, and emerging community needs. Over time, what begins as a single gift can become a permanent charitable resource that serves a community for decades to come.
Here in central Wisconsin, the Hometown Giveback initiative is an example of how the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is putting these ideas into action. Built around local transfer-of-wealth research, the initiative encourages residents to think intentionally about the legacy they want to leave and the role charitable planning can play in strengthening the communities they care about most.
At its core, this conversation is not about dollars. It is about vision. It is about helping individuals and families think intentionally about the values they hope to leave behind and the future they hope to help create.
If you have been thinking about your legacy, your estate plan, or how your generosity can continue making an impact long after your lifetime, the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is here to help. Through initiatives like Hometown Giveback, the Community Foundation can help you explore ways to support the people you love while creating lasting benefits for the community you call home.
James Ross
Vice President | Financial Advisor
CAPTRUST