There is an ancient Greek proverb that reads, “A society grows when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Well, Victor Wilson is not old, nor does he believe the adage applies solely to men, but the message still resonates with him. “When I am no longer here, I know I will continue to make a difference,” he explains. “That’s important to me.”

The seed was planted by an article Victor read about a couple who had created a planned gift at the University of Georgia. “I’ll be honest; my first thought was, ‘I don’t have anything’,” he says. “But then I started thinking about my house, my life insurance, my savings; it all adds up. It hit me that I don’t have to leave a million or a trillion dollars to make a difference. And, I don’t have to leave it all to UGA; I can leave a portion.”

Of course, Victor also wants to leave a gift for his son, who, like Victor, is an only child. The plan itself is the biggest gift. “I wish my mom had said, ‘This is what I want.’,” Victor says. “I want it to be clear for my son. He will have no question about what I wanted once I’m gone.”

Leaving a legacy is important and naming the university as a part of your estate sends a powerful message about what is meaningful to you. That message becomes very personal when you direct the funds to be used in accordance with specific designated intentions. “For me,” says Victor, “that means offering opportunity for folks who look like me. That makes me feel good.”

Designate “University of Georgia Foundation” as a beneficiary of your estate in your will or trust.