Inside My Estate Plan: Compassion That Extends Beyond a Lifetime

In our Inside My Estate Plan series, we celebrate the meaningful ways our members use their estate plans to support causes that matter most to them. These stories offer a glimpse into the values people carry through life — and how they choose to preserve those values for future generations.

Today, we share the story of Jennifer M., whose charitable gifts reflect kindness, humility, and an unwavering desire to create a better future for animals and young adults emerging from foster care.

Why Jennifer Chose These Organizations

Jennifer and her spouse do not have children, and she affectionately describes herself as “a cat lady.” But behind that lighthearted description lies a lifetime of caring deeply for animals in need. Over the years, she has adopted cats from local organizations and witnessed firsthand how much effort and funding it takes to provide food, shelter, neutering, and medical care for homeless cats.

“We wrote in gifts for San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition, Converse Animal Shelter, and Upbring,” she explained. “I’ve worked with and adopted cats from both the animal charities we named. I know they need funds and will use our gifts to help thousands of cats in the future, with food, neutering, and finding good homes.”

Her compassion extends beyond animals. Jennifer is particularly aware of the challenges young adults face when they age out of foster care — often at just 18 years old, thrust into adulthood without a support system. “For Upbring, I know former foster children often had difficult childhoods and are expected to fend for themselves at age 18,” she said. “Upbring will use our gift to help those former foster children with supplies and knowledge they need to start productive adult lives.”

For Jennifer, including these nonprofits in her estate plan felt natural — a continuation of the way she has always moved through the world, caring for those who need it most.

About the Nonprofits Jennifer Supports

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition works to improve the lives of stray and feral cats through humane trap-neuter-return programs, medical care, and community education. Their efforts reduce suffering and help stabilize community cat populations.
Learn more: https://www.sanantonioferalcats.org

Converse Animal Shelter in Converse, Texas, is a no-kill shelter dedicated to providing loving care and second chances for homeless pets. Through adoption, medical support, and advocacy, they give cats and dogs a path to safe, stable homes.
Learn more: https://converseanimalshelter.org

Upbring is a Texas-based nonprofit that empowers children and young adults who have experienced foster care. Their programs span education support, essential resources, housing assistance, and mentoring to help former foster youth build confident, independent lives.
Learn more: https://www.upbring.org

The Impact Jennifer Hopes Her Gift Will Create

Jennifer’s estate gift is rooted in hope — hope that the animals she loves so dearly will continue receiving care long after she is gone, and hope that vulnerable young adults will have a more supportive, stable start to adulthood.

“All 3 of these charities are worthy causes that make feline and human lives better,” she said. “We hope our gifts will make for better futures for recipients.”

Her generosity will provide both practical support and emotional comfort: cats will find safety and homes, and former foster youth will gain the resources and confidence to build fulfilling lives. It’s a legacy of kindness that will ripple forward in ways she may never witness but deeply believes in.

How Jennifer’s Story Reflects Her Values

Jennifer’s estate plan is a quiet but powerful reflection of who she is — compassionate, thoughtful, and deeply aware of the needs around her. Her choices show that legacy doesn’t have to be loud or grand to be meaningful. Often, it’s the consistent, steady acts of care performed over a lifetime that create the most lasting change.

A Final Note — And How You Can Make an Impact Too

If you have a nonprofit or cause that matters to you, Trust & Will makes it easy to include charitable giving in your estate plan — whether through a will or trust.

Start your plan today:

• Start your will

• Start your trust

If you're a nonprofit interested in partnering with Trust & Will, visit: https://trustandwill.com/professionals/nonprofits