More than half a million families in the United States are affected by heirs’ property, a situation where land and homes are passed down to descendants without a formal will to protect their ownership. The issue touches every community in every state, locking up $32 billion in community wealth. For rural residents and families of color in particular, heirs’ property is a major contributor to farm loss, harmful development, and storm displacement. The Center for Heirs’ Property provides families with legal support to prevent or resolve heirs’ property, as well as agroforestry services and financial education to help heirs turn their properties into working, wealth-generating landscapes.
The Center for Heirs’ Property was the best kept secret in its field — the organization doing the work without owning the narrative. But as the demand for the Center’s services and voice increased, they partnered with Resource Media to lead them through a marketing refresh.
For almost a year, we worked alongside the Center to look deeply into their relationships with families, funders, and government partners. We joined board meetings and walked in fields passed down since the Emancipation Proclamation. Together, we highlighted the hidden links between heirs’ property and community resilience in the face of climate change. In the months leading up to the Center’s 25th anniversary, we crafted a new brand identity and a three year marketing plan. From logo and tagline to a new way to talk about their values across divides, the Center for Heirs’ Property is now poised to lead a new chapter built on a powerful legacy. They’re rightfully home.™
