Trust & Will is a mission-driven company that strives to leave a lasting positive impact as its legacy. We’re in the business of helping individuals and families protect what’s most important to them, while our own legacy is all about giving back. Giving back to our members, our workers, the community, society, and our environment. We’re in our eighth year in business, and each year seems to bring us more wins and accomplishments to be proud of. Join us as we take a look back at our achievements in 2024.
To review the full report, click here.
View our past reports below:
A letter from our CEO
At Trust & Will, our mission has always been to help every family leave a lasting legacy. In 2024, we deepened our commitment to that mission by championing electronic Wills (eWills) as a transformative solution that addresses critical challenges at the intersection of environmental sustainability, social equity, and governance (ESG).
The theme of this year’s report—“Building a Sustainable Future Through eWills”—highlights how innovation, when aligned with purpose, can drive meaningful change. eWills embody that vision by reducing barriers to estate planning, making it more accessible and equitable, and delivering sustainable solutions for generations to come.
However, this year has also underscored the urgency of accelerating the adoption of eWill legislation. Natural disasters and personal tragedies remind us of the shortcomings of paper-based systems. Families in the aftermath of fires, hurricanes, and other crises shouldn’t have to worry about lost estate planning documents. Digitizing estate plans and securely storing them in the cloud ensures that no disaster can compromise a family’s legacy.
Despite the security and convenience eWills provide, outdated policies and resistance to change have slowed progress. It’s time for a shift. Supporting eWills isn’t just a matter of modernizing estate planning—it’s a matter of protecting families. Those who oppose eWill legislation must understand that it’s not about politics or tradition; it’s about human rights, equity, and the future of estate planning.
This isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s a moral imperative. We need forward-thinking leadership that recognizes the value of progress. Together, we can overcome the inefficiencies of outdated systems and ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background or circumstances, has access to secure, sustainable estate planning solutions.
As we reflect on 2024, I’m proud of the strides we’ve made toward driving eWill adoption and advancing legislation. None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our employees, the support of our partners, and the trust of the families we serve. Your contributions are helping to shape an industry and create a more equitable and sustainable future.
With that, I invite you to review the impact initiatives of 2024 and join us as we continue to build a world where every family can protect their legacy with confidence and ease. —Cody Barbo, CEO, Trust & Will
2023 annual impact report recap
In 2023, Trust & Will continued our steadfast commitment to impact reporting, reinforcing our dedication to transparency, responsibility, and meaningful change. As we marked our sixth year in business, we achieved new milestones, strengthened our environmental and social initiatives, and proudly became a B Corporation-certified company—a designation that aligns with our mission to balance profit and purpose. We invite you to explore the contributions that defined our journey that year.
Trust & Will’s 2023 environmental impact
Sustainability remains a top priority, and this year we advanced our commitment to carbon neutrality, digital transformation, and responsible resource management.
Carbon Offset & Sustainability Efforts
549.3 tonnes of CO2e offset, equivalent to:
4,392 full tanks of gas
549 round-trip flights from New York to Los Angeles
The total annual footprint of 31 average Americans
Partnered with Bend to track and analyze real-time carbon emissions data, helping us identify reduction opportunities and improve sustainability efforts.
Digital-First Estate Planning
Continued our mission to eliminate paper waste by expanding electronic Wills (eWills) and digital estate planning initiatives.
Advocated for eWill legislation adoption, ensuring more states allow for secure, paper-free estate planning.
Trust & Will’s 2023 social impact
Giving back is at the heart of who we are. This year, we continued our commitment to local engagement, charitable giving, and educational initiatives.
Employee Donations & Matching
Employees donated to causes they care about, with Trust & Will matching contributions for a total of $4,708 across nine organizations.
Company Donations & Sponsorships
Donated $25,522 to organizations such as March of Dimes, Financial Joy School, and Center for Heirs’ Property.
Provided $26,368 in free estate plans to communities in need, including donations to Food for the Poor and Girl Scouts of America.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives
Guest Speaker Series featured industry leaders discussing topics such as Women’s History, Financial Literacy, and Hispanic & Latinx Heritage.
Launched Spanish-language estate planning resources to better serve Spanish-speaking families.
Community Engagement
Although we operate remotely, we remain committed to our roots in San Diego. In 2023, we strengthened partnerships with local organizations, including the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Downtown San Diego Partnership, and San Diego Innovation Day.
Trust & Will’s 2023 governance impact
Governance is the foundation of our commitment to ethical business practices, transparency, and accountability. In 2023, we strengthened our corporate governance by achieving B Corporation certification, reinforcing our data security measures, and maintaining our dedication to web accessibility.
B Corporation Certification
In May 2023, Trust & Will officially became B Corporation certified with an impressive score of 97.7—nearly double the median score for businesses that achieve this designation. This certification recognizes our dedication to social and environmental responsibility, ethical business practices, and positive stakeholder impact. More than just a milestone, it serves as a roadmap for continuous improvement, ensuring we elevate our impact year after year.
Data Security & Compliance
Maintained SOC2 Type II and HIPAA compliance, affirming best-in-class privacy and data security for our members.
Continued our commitment to web accessibility, ensuring our platform is inclusive for all individuals, regardless of ability or technology.
To view the full 2023 report, click here.
2022 annual impact report recap
In 2022, Trust & Will continued its steadfast commitment to impact reporting, a tradition embedded in our company's DNA from day one. Over the past five years, our dedication to positive contributions has evolved in sync with our growing team, expanding member reach, and heightened public awareness.
This commitment to impact work is more than a corporate endeavor—it's a cornerstone of our identity. Our team takes pride in being part of Trust & Will, recognizing that our efforts extend beyond day-to-day roles and responsibilities. As we delve into the specific impact areas of environmental, social, and governance initiatives in this annual report, we invite you to explore the meaningful contributions that define Trust & Will's journey in 2022.
Trust & Will’s 2022 environmental impact
At Trust & Will, environmental responsibility is a core commitment. Recognizing the impact companies have on climate change, we actively work to offset our carbon footprint. Various environmental initiatives, from tree planting to transparent emissions tracking, underscore our dedication to a sustainable future.
Our 2022 environmental efforts include:
Partnership with Ecologi: Since joining in 2020, we've planted 11,367 trees, elevating our climate-positive workforce for 24 consecutive months. Additionally, we reduced 1,560.9 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to over 600 flights from London to New York.
Global impact: Contributed to larger projects, such as protecting and restoring forests in Uganda, providing clean energy through hydropower in Bulgaria, Honduras, and Mexico, and safeguarding old-growth rainforest in Madre de Dios, Peru.
New partnership with Bend: We collaborated with Bend to measure and analyze our real-time CO2 emissions data. This enables us to track emissions sources, identification of reduction opportunities, and customization of our sustainability profile.
Trust & Will’s 2022 social impact
To work at Trust & Will means to give back; it’s part of our culture. We select initiatives and programs that create positive change in our local communities as well as causes that our employees are passionate about. In 2022, Trust & Will's initiatives showcased our commitment to positive change and community well-being.
Some notable highlights from the year include:
Employee involvement: $250 annual charitable contribution match for employees, with over $4,000 donated to 10 nonprofits aligning with employees' passions.
Donations & sponsorships: Beneficiaries include Equal Justice Initiative, Center for Heirs’ Property, RAICES, Financial Joy School, March of Dimes, and others. Additionally, we lent our support through in-kind donations, discounted estate plans, and school & laptop donations.
Monthly Guest Speaker Series: Initiated during the pandemic, the series evolved into a remote-first company tradition. In 2022, we heard from featured speakers on Women’s History, Financial Literacy, Mental Health Awareness, LGBTQIA+ Pride, and more.
Community engagement: Actively engaged with the local San Diego community, contributing to business and nonprofit sectors. Memberships and sponsorships included organizations like San Diego Chamber of Commerce and Downtown San Diego Partnership.
Trust & Will’s 2022 governance impact
Trust & Will's governance initiatives exemplify our dedication to fostering a supportive workplace and making positive contributions to societal well-being. This means taking actions that are aligned with our mission and vision
Important developments from 2022 include policy enhancements such as:
Strengthened anti-harassment measures, including engaging Ethena for inclusive training.
Introduction of a compassionate leave policy, offering paid time off for significant life events.
Implementation of a voluntary activism policy, encouraging team members to contribute through various avenues.
Other noteworthy initiatives include:
Advancing eWill adoption: Collaborating with legislative specialists to facilitate legislative changes for widespread eWill adoption.
Achieving SOC2 Type II and HIPAA compliance, reinforcing our commitment to top-tier privacy and data security.
Web accessibility commitment: Making our website inclusive to all, irrespective of technology, ability, or impairments.
Progress towards B Corporation certification: Actively reporting activities and aiming for certification in early 2023.
To view the full 2022 report, click here.
2021 annual impact report recap
2021 was an interesting year. We came out of 2020 thinking that it was one of the strangest, most surprising years of our lives. But we soon realized that we were in for yet another unprecedented year.
One aspect of our legacy is paving the way for the estate planning industry and what it could look like in the future. In the past, estate planning was expensive and inaccessible. As a mission-driven company, Trust & Will prides itself on providing education, removing barriers, and creating access (in terms of technology and affordability) for any American who wants to create an Estate Plan. Below is a recap of our environmental, social and governance impact.
Trust & Will’s 2021 environmental impact
For businesses, one of the critical ways to enact positive change in our environment is to reduce our own carbon footprint. Through our partnership with Ecologi, we’ve made strides towards becoming a climate-positive workforce. Since joining the program, we’ve:
Planted 6,735 trees
Reduced 890 tonnes of carbon emissions; which is equivalent to 2,208,313 miles driven in a car
Been a climate-positive workforce for 19 consecutive months
Our contributions have made impacts in larger projects, including:
Protecting and restoring forests in Papua New Guinea
Providing clean energy through hydropower in Kanugu, Uganda
Preserving 186,219 hectares of the Brazilian rainforest
Trust & Will’s 2021 social impact
Below is a list of some of the incredible organizations we’ve supported in 2021:
In addition to our ongoing commitments to these organizations, we also contribute regularly to the following nonprofit organizations:
Trust & Will’s 2021 governance impact
We pride ourselves on creating a workplace where our team members feel empowered to do their best work while also making a difference in their communities. For example, Trust & Will employees receive paid time off to perform civic duties, such as voting and jury duty.
In conjunction with Pledge 1%, we offer all employees four days (32 hours) of paid volunteer time off per year. We highly encourage employees to volunteer at least one day (8 hours) per quarter. This can be done individually, as a team event, or company-wide.
We can contribute nearly 2,000 hours a year to multiple causes and nonprofits from our team alone:
32 hours a year per employee
1,800 hours a year annually
To view the full 2021 report, click here.
2020 annual impact report recap
2020 was an unprecedented year for everyone, but here at Trust & Will, we continued moving forward in our mission to help as many Americans as possible put a plan in place for their families, futures, and legacies. Below is a recap of our environmental, social and governance impact.
Trust & Will’s 2020 environmental impact
In 2020, Trust & Will took several steps to have a climate positive impact. First, we became a member of Ecologi, a company focused on offsetting our carbon footprint with a climate positive workforce. In 2020, Trust & Will:
Planted 1694 trees
Reduced 234.62 tonnes of carbon emissions
Saved 704 meters of sea ice
We also made the switch to using FSC certified sustainable paper for all of our estate planning documents and packaging.
Trust & Will’s 2020 social impact
In 2020, we worked hard to create a culture focused on doing good. We took on several projects that we believe made a positive impact and committed to several initiatives:
Frontline Heroes Initiative
Founders Pledge
Fintech Equality Coalition
Founders for Change
Invest in Parents
Other Nonprofit contributions
Trust & Will’s 2020 governance impact
In 2020, we were committed to creating a safer workplace where employees could feel inspired to do their best work and make a difference.
We gave employees election day off as a paid holiday and encouraged them to register to vote, vote, and volunteer (if willing).
We also became members of 1% Pledge, an organization that allows companies to give 1% of their equity, profit, time or product to help nonprofits and other charities.
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