Legacy: A Tree You Planted Long Ago

Brittany Miller Edelen

October 20, 2026

Whether you know it or not, you have a legacy. In 1991, Warren Buffett said, “Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” That’s a good way to frame that idea; the seed or sapling you’re planting is going to mean something to someone someday. Perhaps even to generations you can only imagine.

Maybe your legacy is a scholarship that brings education to students in your community. It could be your name on a hospital, a museum, or some other institution. Whatever sort of legacy you have in mind, it is a mark that you leave on the world.

Scholarships
Did you know that over $100 billion in grants and scholarships are awarded to students annually in the U.S.? $7.4 billion of that comes from private scholarships. While those numbers might seem mindboggling, they’re actually made up of dozens of legacies from families like yours. Whether you have $5,000 or $100,000, an annual grant through a charitable vehicle could see that money grow over time, with the growth funds helping students for decades.¹

Naming Opportunities
You might endow an institution with a gift. There are many questions to consider, such as how the organization uses your gift and whether they can build something that meets your intentions. For some people, learning about what their legacy will be used for is fun and satisfying. To use a famous example, think of George Lucas’ museum in California; the project not only adds a new chapter to his considerable legacy but will also be a living facility that reflects his interests and life goals for generations to come.^2,3

While you might not have a giant museum with robots and spaceships in mind, you have many personal paths you may wish to guide your legacy. That’s a conversation worth having today; we can plant that seed now. Book time with the Triple Crown Financial team. We're grateful to be a small help in your giving journey.

^{1. Bernstein.com, February 23, 2026}
^{2. RockPA.org, September 29, 2026}
^{3. ABCNews.com, September 22, 2026}

This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm.