Aligning Your Giving and Legacy Planning with Life Changes
This milestone year has prompted me, like many AFF supporters, to reassess how I support
the causes I care about and what future plans I need to document. It marks more than a
decade of working for and supporting America’s family forests through AFF’s philanthropic
program. In June, I married my long-time partner, Scott, and together we joined our five
children, households, shared recreational passions, volunteer commitments, and
charitable interests. I also moved to a new state and recently turned 50, making retirement
planning feel more important.
Beth & her husband Scott were married in June 2026 overlooking Fontanelle Forest in Beth's home state of Nebraska.
Life changes bring logistical updates. Because Scott and I give monthly through AFF’s
Giving Tree program and Scott uses his company’s matching gift program, we updated
account information with the charities we support. We also revisited our individual and
shared giving priorities and began updating beneficiary forms for 401(k) accounts, life
insurance, and a new will. We needed to take into account planning for our children’s
college plans, our retirements, travel plans, real estate, our aging parents and so much
more.
AFF Can Help You Plan
At AFF, we are fortunate to support donors through many of these life changes. Our staff is
ready to help you think through next steps and available giving options.
Daniel Leathers, our Senior Manager of Legacy Giving, offers estate-planning guidance,
free resources, and consultations for landowners and donors.
He also works regularly with members of the Seedling Society, AFF’s legacy giving group, to
help with:
• Coordinating gifts of stock
• Discussing gifts of land or other appreciated assets
• Updating wills and beneficiary designations.
You can reach out to Daniel at dleathers@forestfoundation.org, 202-765-3710, Click here to schedule a time to chat.