Generosity Archives - Ten Talents Foundation

The Great Wealth Transfer: A Guide to Generosity and Purpose

by MGold | Oct 3, 2025 | Estate Planning, Generosity

Key takeaways:

Over $84 trillion is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations and charities by 2045 (Cerulli, 2021).
This moment is filled with both opportunity and complexity—especially when it comes to legacy and generosity.
With the right conversations, tools, and planning, families and ministries alike can steward this transition well.

Understanding the Great Wealth Transfer

The United States is in the early stages of the largest wealth transition in modern history (Cerulli, 2021). Often referred to as The Great Wealth Transfer, this shift involves trillions of dollars moving from older generations, primarily Baby Boomers, to their children, grandchildren, and charitable organizations.

Estimates vary, but projections suggest that between $68 and $84 trillion will be transferred by 2045. That includes about $12 trillion going to charitable causes and the rest to heirs (Cerulli, 2021). For context, the U.S. federal budget in 2024 was $6.8 trillion, making the Great Wealth Transfer more than three times that amount (Congressional Budget Office, 2024).

Baby Boomers, who currently hold more than $78 trillion in wealth, are beginning to pass down assets through wills, trusts, and gifts (CFA Institute, 2025). While the scale of this transfer is historic, its long-term positive impact in our communities will depend on how intentional people are during the transfer process.

Is the Next Generation Prepared?

The Great Wealth Transfer isn’t just a shift in dollars, it’s a shift in values, responsibility, and opportunity. For families, it raises important questions: Are the next generation ready to manage wealth wisely? Are they equipped with the tools and mindset to use what they receive in alignment with your family’s values?

Research shows that many people, especially younger adults, don’t feel prepared. One survey found that 72% of Americans don’t feel confident managing a financial windfall (Citizens Bank Survey, 2024). Many aren’t sure when or how to get trusted advice, and nearly a third said they would only seek help from a financial professional if they inherited $1 million or more (Citizens Bank Survey, 2024).

What impact will the next generation and our community miss out on if they are not prepared?

At the same time, expectations don’t always match reality. While a third of Millennials expect to receive an inheritance, only about 22% of Boomers expect to leave one (CFA Institute, 2024). A growing share of wealth may be spent on long-term care, medical costs, or even financial support flowing upward to older generations in need.

That’s why honest, intentional conversations across generations are so important. Don’t assume your children or grandchildren know your intentions and don’t assume they’ll be ready to navigate the responsibility on their own. Families who align on their values, communicate clearly, and prepare together will be positioned to steward their resources with purpose and generosity.

The Potential for Incredible Generosity

About $12 trillion is expected to be donated to charity by 2045 (Cerulli, 2021). Through intentional planning and conversations, even more could be given during the Great Wealth Transfer through tax-wise giving tools.

At Ten Talents Foundation, we believe this is a moment for purposeful generosity. Whether it’s funding scholarships or starting a Donor Advised Fund so more money can go to nonprofits instead of taxes , this wealth transfer could be a turning point in our Central Valley and beyond.

For example, if you are planning to leave a piece of property to a family member, there are many strategies you could implement to save in capital gains taxes. Those tax savings could then be donated to a nonprofit you love, or put in a Donor Advised Fund your successors could give from for years to come!

Action Steps for Faithful Planning

Here are four steps we recommend to help you make the most of this moment—whether you’re planning to give, or preparing to receive:

1. Clarify Your Goals

Take time to reflect: What kind of impact do you want to have? Do you want to support family, ministries, or both? Naming your giving goals helps shape a plan that aligns with your values—and helps your heirs understand your vision.

2. Build Financial Literacy in the Next Generation

Whether you’re giving or receiving, financial literacy is key. If you’re preparing to pass on resources, take time to share not just assets, but wisdom, your values, lessons, and hopes for how your gift will be used. And if you’re part of the next generation, seek out trusted education and mentorship. The more you understand about managing and multiplying what you’ve been given, the more impact you can make.

3. Use Tax-Wise Tools

Consider strategies like Donor-Advised Funds, charitable trusts, or giving appreciated assets. These can help reduce tax burdens and increase your impact. We can help you explore the best options based on your goals.

4. Communicate Clearly

The best plans can fall apart without communication. Talk with your loved ones, document your wishes, and involve a trusted advisor. A clear plan brings peace, clarity, and purpose.

Let’s Make This Moment Count

The Great Wealth Transfer will define a generation. But its impact, especially for ministries and communities, will depend on whether generosity becomes part of the plan.

At Ten Talents Foundation, we help individuals and families steward their resources for God’s Kingdom. If you have questions about donor-advised funds, legacy giving, or strategic generosity, we’re here to walk with you and your family.

Contact Ten Talents to learn more

The Gift That Keeps Giving: How One Woman Left A Legacy of Hope through a Fresno Nonprofit

by MGold | Sep 26, 2025 | Generosity

What if your generosity could keep shaping lives long after you’re gone?

That’s exactly what one woman did through a legacy gift, a charitable gift made through her will to Fresno Area Community Enterprises (FACE), a nonprofit collective working to transform neighborhoods across Fresno.

She was a quiet but faithful supporter showing up to community events, staying connected to the mission, and living with deep compassion for her neighbors. When she passed, her final act of generosity became one of the most impactful gifts FACE had ever received.

And it all started with a simple phone call.

A Life-Changing Phone Call

Loren Dubbuerke, Executive Director of FACE, had known her for years. She was a quiet but faithful presence at community banquets, always offering encouragement and support. Her deep compassion for her neighbors and hope for a healthier, more connected community never went unnoticed.

During a Ten Talents Foundation workshop on estate giving, Loren was encouraged to invite supporters to a webinar about legacy planning.

“So I made a phone call to one of our neighbors,” he shared. “She had been coming regularly to our banquets and was passionate about seeing our neighborhood become healthier. So I invited her to come to the webinar.”

Though she wasn’t able to attend, that conversation planted a powerful seed, one that would grow into something far greater than Loren could have imagined.

“Several months later, I found out she had passed away,” Loren said. “And then a couple months after that, we got something in the mail from her attorneys that said we had been listed as one of the beneficiaries of her charitable trust.”

One of her final acts of generosity: naming FACE as a beneficiary was a quiet but profound expression of faith, care, and vision for the future of her neighborhood.

Fueling Long-Term Impact

Her gift allowed FACE to grow in ways that were previously out of reach—including hiring two new managers who now lead programs serving hundreds of families each year.

“We were able to hire two managers to help carry the work forward,” Loren shared. “The reason that we can even do that was because of her help with her legacy gift.”

From reentry support and youth mentorship to tutoring, food security, and job training, her legacy continues to transform lives across Fresno.

Your Legacy Can Live On Too

“Her work will continue into the future,” Loren said, “as we use her gifts and multiply what she wanted in the neighborhood, even though she isn’t present with us.”

Legacy Giving is more than a donation, it’s fuel for long-term transformation. “Your giving and your generosity frees us up in tremendous ways,” Loren shared, “to do the work on the ground that’s really needed in our broken communities and in our city.”

If you’re curious about how to leave a legacy of your own, the Ten Talents team would be honored to help. Let’s talk about how your generosity can bless future generations.

Learn more HERE.

4 Ways to Be Generous This Summer

by MGold | Jul 9, 2025 | Generosity

At Ten Talents Foundation, we believe generosity is more than a financial decision—it’s a way of life. And while summer brings sun, rest, and reconnection, it’s also the perfect time to live generously and reflect God’s heart in tangible ways.

Here are 4 simple ways to practice generosity this summer:

1. Give through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
A Donor Advised Fund lets you give to multiple causes from one simple account—on your schedule. Whether you’re supporting a local ministry or responding to a global need, a DAF helps your generosity go further, with tax advantages that make it even more impactful. Start here →

2. Include a Charitable Bequest in Your Estate Plan
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a legacy. One simple way to make an eternal impact is by adding a charitable bequest—a gift to a nonprofit written into your will or trust.

This allows you to support ministries and causes you care about, even after your lifetime. Whether you give a specific amount, a percentage, or an asset like property, legacy giving helps your values live on through strategic generosity.

3. Give Your Time
Generosity isn’t just about financial giving. You can make a meaningful impact by volunteering at a local nonprofit, helping with a community outreach event, or even just showing up for someone who needs support.

Acts of presence—like listening to a friend, spending time with a neighbor, or praying with someone—can offer encouragement and remind others they’re not alone. Small, intentional moments can leave a lasting impression.

4. Have a Family Conversation About Giving
Summertime often brings families together—use it as a chance to talk about your values and how you want to make an impact together. Whether it’s setting up a family donor advised fund, talking about causes your family is passionate about and wants to include in an estate plan, or choosing a nonprofit you will volunteer with as a family, these conversations can spark a legacy of generosity across generations.

However you choose to give this summer, do it with intention—and watch how your generosity can plant seeds of hope, joy, and eternal impact.

Empowering Generosity Workshop: Equipping Nonprofit Leaders for Greater Kingdom Impact

by MGold | May 2, 2025 | Generosity, Nonprofits

Last month, Ten Talents Foundation had the privilege of hosting the Empowering Generosity Workshop—a gathering designed to equip Central Valley nonprofit leaders and pastors with tools to manage gifts wisely, honor those who invest in their organizations by strengthening their financial practices, and multiply the impact of every gift they receive for eternal impact.

45 nonprofit leaders and pastors attended the workshop, which was a powerful time of encouragement, equipping, and connection around the shared mission of advancing God’s Kingdom through generosity.

During the workshop, participants heard from several leaders, including Pastor Andy White of Legacy Christian Church, who opened the morning with a message on developing a Heart of Generosity. Brent Riffel, President of Ten Talents Foundation, also shared how ministries can best utilize the Foundation to steward gifts strategically for long-term Kingdom impact.

Attendees also learned from Ten Talents Foundation leadership and local experts about:

How to have intentional conversations with people who want to support their organization
Practical ways to better steward gifts for long-term organizational health
Ways ministries can work with Ten Talents Foundation to accept asset-based gifts

Building strong relationships with the community through consistent communication, stories of impact, and relational events

Last month’s workshop equipped ministry leaders who are committed to using every resource entrusted to them to fulfill their mission. As organizations learn how to accept new types of gifts, honor those who support their work, and develop long-term strategies to remain healthy, they are more equipped to make an impact in Central California for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this gathering such a meaningful time!

Interested in learning more or joining a future training? Contact Ten Talents Foundation here.

2024 Ten Talents Foundation Annual Impact Report

by MGold | Mar 12, 2025 | Donor Advised Fund, Generosity, Ministry Partners, Nonprofits, Ten Talents Foundation Updates

Read full 2024 impact report

Dear Friends,

As we reflect on 2024, one word comes to mind: growth . Growth is rarely easy—it comes with stretching, refining, and moments of uncertainty. This year was no exception. We’ve navigated challenges, asked hard questions, and sought wisdom from those around us. But through it all, our faith and commitment to our mission has grown.

The Ten Talents Foundation exists to mobilize a movement of generosity, helping individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits steward their “talents,” and give more strategically so their resources can make a lasting difference in our communities.

This year, that mission has come to life in powerful ways. Over $1 million in grants supported ministries working on the front lines of our region and world’s greatest needs. Families have learned how to maximize their giving. One local business owner was able to double his giving to ministries because of the creative giving strategies and tax savings incurred through Ten Talents’ giving tools! A nonprofit leader attended one of our events which inspired him to invite a donor to consider leaving a legacy gift to the organization. That single conversation resulted in the donor designating one-third of her entire estate to the nonprofit —a gift that will impact lives for generations.

These stories demonstrate why we exist. Last year, we prioritized education and training, offering workshops, webinars, and resources on asset-based giving, legacy giving, and charitable bequests. When people understand how to steward their resources wisely, they can give more—and more effectively—to the work they value most.

As we look to the rest of 2025, we are committed to expanding these efforts—educating more nonprofits, training financial advisors on how to help their clients use these giving tools, and equipping more families and businesses to give with greater impact. Thank you for being part of this movement. Together, we are investing in something far greater than ourselves. Here’s to another year of growth!

With Gratitude,
Brent Riffel
Executive Director
Ten Talents Foundation

Read full 2024 impact report

What is the role of a Community Foundation? Multiplying Generosity in a Region for Lasting Impact

by MGold | Feb 20, 2025 | Generosity

At Ten Talents Foundation, we see both the challenges and opportunities in the Central California region. The San Joaquin Valley has the highest rate of violent crime in California (PPIC, 2023) and shorter life spans due to disparities in education, pollution, and food access (SJVPHC Report, 2022). Many in our communities struggle with poverty, homelessness, and mental health challenges (Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, 2022).

At the same time, our region is home to thousands of businesses, churches, and nonprofits. Our farms produce nearly one-fourth of the nation’s agricultural output (USGS), and our communities are filled with resources, funding, and people ready to make a difference.

So how do we bring these resources together to meet the greatest needs more effectively?

That’s where a community foundation comes in.

Community foundations like the Ten Talents Foundation exist to connect generosity with impact. By managing Donor Advised Funds, facilitating non-cash giving, and distributing charitable grants, we help donors give more strategically while equipping nonprofits to maximize every dollar given.

When generosity is thoughtful, strategic, and long-term, it has the power to transform communities for generations to come. We invite you to be part of this movement—where generosity is not just an action, but a legacy.

What is a Community Foundation?

A community foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps donors strategically manage their giving to maximize impact. Instead of simply giving directly to a single charity, donors can establish a donor advised fund and allow the foundation to oversee the distribution of funds to various local causes.

Community foundations exist to connect resources with a region’s greatest needs, and ensure charitable giving makes a lasting impact in a specific region. By managing special donor advised funds, processing asset-based gifts, and equipping local nonprofits, they make generosity more effective and sustainable.

What Does a Community Foundation Do?

Manages Donor Advised Funds – Helps donors create funds like Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) to simplify and plan their charitable giving.
Processes Non-Cash Gifts – Accepts and processes non-cash donations such as real estate, stocks, agricultural assets, and cryptocurrency, making giving more tax-efficient and helping nonprofits accept gifts they otherwise would be unable to..
Distributes Grants & Equip Local Nonprofits – Distributes grants and resources to nonprofits, ensuring gifts make a lasting impact in the community.
Provides Community Education – Offers resources, workshops, and training to help individuals and organizations maximize their charitable giving.
Supports Generational Stewardship – Encourages families to engage in long-term, impact-driven philanthropy by structuring giving plans and including charitable donations in estate planning.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in opening a Donor Advised Fund, donating a non-cash asset, or learning how Ten Talents Foundation can equip your nonprofit, we’d love to help.

Watch the video to see how strategic generosity can create a lasting impact, or contact us here.

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