Legacy Planning: An Act of Love and Faith that Strengthens Communities and Sustains Ministry

How can you ensure that the people, ministries, or even the local church you have grown to love will continue beyond your lifetime? What can achieve sustainable growth and lasting influence to secure the longevity and impact of ministry?

Planned giving.

LegalZoom reports that 56% of Americans believe that estate planning is important, but only 45% of adults in the U.S. have documented their end-of-life plans.

For people of faith, estate planning is a powerful expression of stewardship—it is an enduring act of love and faith that can strengthen and sustain ministry for years to come. Planning your legacy is a meaningful way to care for the people and ministries close to your heart, to ensure your faith and values live on, and to bring clarity and peace to those who matter to you most.

Have you considered what you will pass down to your future generations?

Through thoughtful planning, you can help support future generations that have helped shape your own faith journey—enter FreeWill.

What is FreeWill?

FreeWill is a simple online estate planning tool that helps people create important legal documents like living wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney at no cost. Many people use FreeWill to get peace of mind and ensure their wishes are documented without the upfront legal fees. The online platform is made possible through the Together for Tomorrow partnership between the Pension Boards and National Ministries to benefit the UCC and empower planned giving across our community. The best part? It only takes a few minutes to create a legal will.

FreeWill gives you the option to leave a planned gift to any organization you care about, including The Christmas Forever Fund, which allows for leadership programs to continue, and ministerial resources to be available tomorrow and well into the future.  

“For many ministries, legacy gifts provide stability and hope. They help sustain mission-driven programs, expand services, and respond to emerging needs,” said the Rev. Dr. Paul L. Ramsey, Director of Church Relations and Philanthropy for the Pension Boards. “Through your will, you can become a partner in the future of ministry—quietly, faithfully, and powerfully. We are all ‘together for tomorrow’ to ensure that ministry continues to thrive for future generations."

­He added, “At General Synod this past summer, a number of young UCC ministers expressed wanting to leverage FreeWill in their churches and ensure they were leaving a legacy for their children and their families. It quickly became a recognizable tool because of its simplicity.”

Michelle A. Carver, Director of Philanthropy for National Ministries, added, “Legacy gifts are an expression of love and trust. It’s about establishing continuity and knowing that the people and ministries you support will continue to make a lasting impact. When you leave a legacy, you reflect a life rooted in generosity and faith."

The Numbers Tell a Story

To date, donors have committed over $1.4 million to The Christmas Forever Fund through planned gifts arranged with FreeWill. Across all UCC organizations participating in Together for Tomorrow, more than $26 million has been committed by 131 donors to local churches, conferences, National Ministries, and causes like The Christmas Forever Fund. While leaving a planned gift is entirely optional, it’s a powerful way to extend your care for the ministries and missions that matter most to you—whether that’s education, healthcare, environmental stewardship, or the UCC.

Of the $26 million raised, more than $18.5 million has been directed to local churches—underscoring the deep love our donors have for their individual UCC communities. Since 2024, that generosity has accelerated dramatically. In 2024, UCC organizations raised $5,081,700 through FreeWill. In 2025, that number soared to $16,676,476—a 228% increase year over year. The Christmas Forever Fund also experienced remarkable growth: $630,500 in 2024 and $815,526 in 2025—a 29% increase.

These numbers show that our UCC community is eager to leave planned gifts that ensure our ministries thrive for generations to come—the number of unique legacy gifts increased from 62 in 2024 to 91 in 2025.
Through FreeWill, you can designate a gift in your will to Ministerial Assistance, the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ, your local Church or Conference, or another organization. You do not have to make a charitable gift in your will to use FreeWill.

Consider creating or updating your will at freewill.com/pbucc.