Why I'm Asking You to Think About Your Legacy
By: Jonathan Longoria, Major Donor Engagement Strategist
Hey folks!
Jonathan Longoria here. As some of you may know, I recently joined the Equality New Mexico team as the Major Donor Engagement Strategist, and a huge part of my job is connecting with the people who believe in our mission and want to help build a stronger future for LGBTQ New Mexicans.
And what I’ve learned in this work is that, for most people, supporting a movement is about more than money. It’s about building something sustainable, something that can withstand whatever gets thrown our way and continue creating change for generations to come.
Why Legacy Matters
Legacy donations are one of the ways I encourage people to think about the lasting impact they can have on the fight for LGBTQ liberation.
I know the fight is far from over. With a hostile federal administration and state governments across the country continuing to attack the rights and safety of Queer and Trans people, it’s clearer than ever to me that our work didn’t end when we won marriage equality or updated New Mexico’s Human Rights Act.
Those victories matter. We should celebrate them. But they are part of a much longer story. There is still so much more work to do.
That’s why I believe we have to think beyond the immediate moment and build a movement that can last.
It’s Never Too Early to Make a Plan
August is National Make-A-Will Month, and I want to push back on a common misconception: that younger or middle-aged people don't need to worry about a will yet.
That's far from the truth.
A will is simply a way to make sure your wishes are known and that the things you’ve worked hard to build go where you want them to go. It’s never too early to make a plan.
And if you choose to include Equality New Mexico in your will, you can help make sure that your values continue to shape the future of LGBTQ communities across New Mexico.
A legacy gift isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone. It’s about investing in the kind of future you want to see and helping make sure the movement we’re building today has the resources to continue tomorrow.
Make Your Legacy Part of the Movement
That's why we’ve partnered with freewill.org to make it as simple as possible for our members and community to create a will and, if they choose, include Equality New Mexico in their plans.
Creating a will doesn’t mean you have to make a complicated decision today. It simply gives you the opportunity to start thinking about your future and what matters most to you.
And for those who want to help build a lasting movement for LGBTQ liberation, including EQNM in your plans is one meaningful way to do that.
Ready to get started?
You can create your will for free through our partnership with FreeWill.
If you have questions about legacy giving or including Equality New Mexico in your plans, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at jonathan@eqnm.org.
