Growing in Generosity
Inspiration for Your Legacy Journey
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3
Lessons for Building Your Legacy Game Plan
Green Bay, Wisconsin, produced the first splinter-free toilet paper (aren’t we all thankful?!). It is bordered by one of the few rivers in the world that runs north (the Fox River). But it’s probably best known as the home of the Green Bay Packers football team (the winningest of all time).
What sets this team apart from its NFL rivals isn’t just its rich history, 13 world championships, and cheesehead-wearing fans. It’s also their unique ownership structure.
The Packers are a publicly owned nonprofit corporation, the property of more than 500,000 shareholders who love the team and the Green Bay community. The shares can’t be traded; they can only be passed between immediate family members, as a gift or through inheritance. The result? A football franchise that thrives in a small market and, most importantly, a legacy of loving tradition that’s handed off between generations.
As you draw up your own legacy game plan, there are some helpful takeaways from the Packers and their fans.
Your legacy is as unique as you are. Fractional ownership of a football team is an unusual inheritance to leave for the next generation. You, too, have a distinctive legacy for those who come after you. That can include tangible assets, along with the values that have guided your life.
Invest in what’s important to you. Unlike other stocks, Packers shares don’t pay financial dividends. Fans become shareholders because they love the team. What enduring things are you investing in? Reflect on your relationships, principles, and purpose, as well as the causes that are close to your heart.
Legacy keeps on giving. It’s not unusual for people to purchase Packers shares as gifts for significant occasions, such as a wedding or milestone birthday, inspiring a new generation of fans. The legacy you’re creating now will impact those who come after you through the values you live out. One meaningful way to do this is by including a charity in your will and making a lasting difference in the lives of those it serves.
More Resources:
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The Surprising Instance Where Cash Isn’t King
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3 Gifts Your Family Will Always Treasure
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