Daytona Beach, Fla. — On the heels of National Estate Planning Awareness Week, the Community Foundation & United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties (CF/UWVFC) is encouraging local residents to take a meaningful pause from their busy lives to plan for the future of their families and their community. Ensuring that beneficiaries are current on all estate planning and insurance documents—and establishing a valid will—are essential steps toward peace of mind and lasting impact.
According to trust&will, “83% of Americans recognize the importance of estate planning—yet only 31% have a will. Despite widespread awareness, the majority of Americans remain unprepared, with procrastination and misconceptions about wealth fueling inaction.”
Creating an estate plan – including planning for guardianship of minor children, designating beneficiaries, and addressing potential taxes – helps to ensure the assets individuals have worked so hard to build are distributed according to their wishes, not left to the discretion of probate courts. Without these plans in place, families can face unnecessary legal costs, confusion, and conflict.
“Estate planning is one of the most important and meaningful gifts you can give your loved ones,” said Courtney Edgcomb, president and CEO of CF/UWVFC. “It’s a way to honor your life’s work, protect your family, and ensure your legacy continues in ways that reflect your values. Because we’re our community’s fundraising and grantmaking experts, at CF/UWVFC we’re proud to guide community members as they consider charitable giving in their future planning.”
In addition to recommending methods for individuals to protect their personal legacies, CF/UWVFC works with donors who wish to include charitable giving in their estate plans. By designating a portion of their estate to CF/UWVFC via specific fund types, donors ensure their positive impact within Volusia and Flagler Counties continues to grow over time—supporting local needs for generations to come, while also making strategic tax decisions today.
“My husband James and I were excited to partner with CF/UWVFC because they share our long-term vision for a thriving, sustainable community,” said Robin King Bass, director of Project SELF and CF/UWVFC board member. “Through our estate gift, we can continue supporting the organizations that have touched our hearts—while ensuring the foundation can carry that impact forward for years to come.”
As the community approaches the end of 2025, CF/UWVFC encourages residents to keep the momentum from Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Day and National Estate Planning Awareness Week going by preparing now to make a lasting impact. Thoughtful planning — through wills, trusts, and charitable funds — can ensure that hard-earned assets continue to strengthen the community for generations.
“Charitable giving is about creating lasting, transformational change — and CF/UWVFC helps every donor craft their ideal path to giving back,” said Maritza Rodriguez, global marketing communications manager for Pevonia International LLC and CF/UWVFC board member. “They provide expert guidance, handle the details, and make it easy to give in a way that’s both meaningful and enduring.”
CF/UWVFC offers a variety of services like estate charitable management, philanthropic consulting, as well as strategic giving and fund establishment to help community members take the next step. Visit unitedwayvfc.org or call 386-253-0563 to learn how to include a charitable organization in estate plans.
