Planned giving is a powerful and enduring way for individuals to support nonprofit organizations while aligning their philanthropy with personal values and long-term financial goals. For Grant Wheeler it is a way to find peace, healing and provide help to others. 

Grant’s journey as a romantic partner to someone with BPD was not an easy road to travel. When his partner was formally diagnosed he did the same thing many loved ones do and went on a deep dive into the world of BPD, eventually finding BPD Alliance.  After the relationship ended, Grant carried not only grief, but unanswered questions and a lingering sense of helplessness. Finding BPD Alliance gave him language, understanding, and eventually a way to transform that pain into something meaningful. While the relationship itself did not continue, Grant was left with a strong desire to help others who are impacted by BPD. Incorporating BPD Alliance into his planned giving allowed him to support an organization he believes in while also bringing himself a sense of peace.

“It helped me find some healing. I felt like I was doing something,” he said. 

Many people in our community share Grant’s experience—loving someone with BPD, feeling overwhelmed, and wanting to make meaning out of a difficult journey. Planned giving can offer one path forward, allowing donors to turn personal experiences into lasting impact.

Common forms of planned giving include bequests in a will or trust, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts. These options provide flexibility, enabling donors to choose the approach that best fits their circumstances. Many planned gifts also offer financial benefits such as potential tax advantages, making them a thoughtful part of a comprehensive financial plan.

For BPD Alliance, planned giving offers stability and sustainability.  Planned gifts help ensure Family Connections™ remains available to families who may not otherwise have access.

Planned giving can also be deeply personal. Donors like Grant who choose this path are often motivated by a strong connection to the BPD Alliance's vision of building a world where emotional wisdom prevails. “I wanted to leave money to the people who are trying to help,” Grant said. 

Planned giving does not require immediate action or significant assets—just a conversation when the time feels right. For more information about working BPD Alliance into your planned giving visit bpdalliance.org/ways-to-give.