Inside My Estate Plan: A Life Shaped by Music, Faith, and Global Compassion
Discover how Trust & Will members give back to the nonprofits they care about most through planned giving in their estate plans.
Through our Inside My Estate Plan series, we share the deeply personal stories behind the charitable choices our members include in their estate plans. Each story reveals the experiences, memories, and values that define a life — and how those values continue long after someone is gone. Inside My Estate Plan - Member …
Today, we spotlight Milton C., whose legacy reflects three powerful influences in his life: music, education, and faith in action.
Why Milton Chose These Organizations
For Milton, his charitable giving begins with a memory — one that stretches back to early childhood.
“Ever since I was a child, possibly no more than 3 years old, I always took a deep appreciation for music,” he shared. He remembers sitting with his aunt’s record collection, choosing albums he wanted to hear, even before he could fully read the labels. Music was not background noise; it was formative. It was something that stirred him before he even understood why.
That lifelong appreciation led him to include the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) in his estate plan. He admires not only the artistry of the musicians but their dedication. “I am very appreciative of the dedication and hard work of the musicians who play for the DSO,” he explained. “Many of them do not make a lot of money but enjoy making music that everyone can enjoy.”
For Milton, supporting the DSO is a way to ensure that future generations can experience the same wonder he felt as a child — that early spark of beauty that can shape a lifetime.
Music, however, is only one chapter of his story.
Milton also chose to include St. Francis of Assisi, the grammar school he attended from third through eighth grade. “This is a school that formed my character and faith throughout my life,” he shared. While he acknowledges that he hasn’t agreed with every aspect of the institution over the years, his appreciation for what it gave him remains strong. Located in a working-class neighborhood, the school instilled discipline and the belief that hard work can help you attain your goals. That foundation stayed with him long after graduation.
Finally, Milton included Doctors Without Borders, an organization whose mission resonates deeply with his Christian faith. He is moved by their willingness to serve in some of the most desperate and dangerous areas of the world — places affected by war, famine, disease, and displacement. “They go everywhere without regards to politics,” he said, admiring their impartial commitment to human dignity. “As a Christian, I hope I can be of some assistance since my donation is little compared to the lives they are saving, and they are the ones in harm’s way.”
His estate plan reflects a life shaped not just by what he received, but by what he feels called to give back.
About the Organizations Milton Supports
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is one of the leading orchestras in the United States, known not only for its performances but for its community outreach and music education programs throughout Detroit. The DSO brings classical music to schools, neighborhoods, and audiences who may not otherwise have access to live orchestral performances. Learn more
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has long served families in its community by emphasizing faith formation, academic development, and strong moral values rooted in Catholic teaching. Schools like St. Francis play an important role in shaping students’ character, work ethic, and spiritual lives.
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical care in conflict zones, disaster areas, and regions suffering from disease outbreaks or food insecurity. Their teams operate independently of political agendas, often working in extremely high-risk environments to save lives and alleviate suffering. Learn more
The Impact Milton Hopes His Gift Will Make
Milton’s legacy is both local and global. He hopes his support of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra keeps music accessible and alive for future listeners — perhaps even a small child flipping through records the way he once did. He hopes St. Francis of Assisi continues shaping young minds in a neighborhood where discipline and perseverance matter deeply. And through Doctors Without Borders, he hopes to contribute — even in a small way — to easing suffering in parts of the world most people will never see firsthand.
His humility is striking. He does not view his gift as grand or transformative on its own. Instead, he sees it as joining something bigger — supporting those who dedicate their lives to service, whether they are musicians, teachers, or medical professionals working in crisis zones.
How Milton’s Story Reflects His Values
Milton’s estate plan tells the story of a man shaped by beauty, discipline, and faith. Music gave him joy. Education shaped his character. His Christian beliefs call him to serve beyond himself. Together, those influences form a legacy that reaches from a childhood living room in Detroit to humanitarian work across the globe.
His choices remind us that estate planning is not simply about distributing assets — it is about honoring the institutions and ideals that formed us.
A Final Note — And How You Can Make an Impact Too
If you have a nonprofit, school, church, or cause that has shaped your life, Trust & Will makes it simple to include charitable giving in your estate plan — whether through a will or trust.
Start your plan today:
If you're a nonprofit interested in partnering with Trust & Will, visit: https://trustandwill.com/professionals/nonprofits
Last updated: February 11, 2026
- Share
