Oct 2 / Lonnie Gienger

Beyond Wealth: Crafting a 100-Year Family Vision with Purpose and Clarity

When families think about their legacy, the conversation often centers on finances. But true legacy is about more than wealth, it’s about values, relationships, well-being and impact, the four qualitative capitals. Having a 100-year family vision, gives you a roadmap for thriving across generations, aligning your family around what matters most.

Our mission is simple; to help families move beyond a focus on financial capital and build a multi-generational legacy rooted in all Five Forms of Capital: spiritual, relational, human, societal, and financial.

Why a 100-Year Vision Matters

Most families plan for the next year or two. Some may think a decade ahead. Few intentionally design a 100-year family vision. Yet research shows that without intentional focus on developing the values, relationships and purpose of the family, most of the financial wealth is lost within a few generations. 

Our 100-year vision workshop shifts your focus from short-term decisions to long-term flourishing. It helps you:
Unite your family around shared values.

  • Develops stronger relationships now and across the generations.
  • Equip the next generation with purpose and stewardship skills.
  • Align financial, relational, and spiritual capital for enduring impact.

Whether you’re a family leader, parent, grandparent, or simply someone eager to shape your family’s future, you can sign up for the workshop experience here and we’ll send you updates soon. 

Start with Your Family’s “Why”

Before you write any plans, start with your family’s “why.” Why do we stand for what we stand for? What impact do you want to make on the world together? What values guide our choices? 

This thought process provides the foundation for all future decisions. It becomes the anchor for every decision, investment, and tradition you create. Families that take time to articulate their shared purpose build a stronger sense of unity, resilience, and direction, even in times of change.
The Thriving Family System is a step-by-step framework with true stories and guided tools to help families like yours identify their core values, align across generations, and develop a clear 100-year vision.
For inspiration on how a “why” can transform both businesses and families, see Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” TED Talk. His principles, when applied to families, help unlock a deeper sense of shared mission.

Map All Five Forms of Capital

As mentioned previously, a 100-year family vision must go beyond finances, emphasizing growth in these Five Forms of Capital:
  • Spiritual Capital: Shared beliefs, values, and a sense of purpose.
  • Relational Capital: Trust, harmony, and strong communication across generations.
  • Human Capital: Developing the skills, character, and leadership of your family members.
  • Societal Capital: The positive impact your family makes in your community or industry.
  • Financial Capital: Stewarding resources to support your mission and sustain impact.
Mapping these areas together helps you see where you’re strong and where you can grow. 

Involve Every Generation Early

A family vision thrives when it’s shaped with your whole family, not just handed down from the top. Engaging every generation fosters ownership, alignment, and excitement for the future. Even young children can begin absorbing your family’s values and purpose when you create space for open conversation.
Here are some practical ways to start:
  • Host a Family Vision Retreat once a year. This is different from a family vacation, its purpose is to reflect and grow together. 
  • Use our assessment tool that you can sign up for to measure family alignment with shared values.
  • Celebrate milestones of growth in relational and spiritual capital, not just financial gains.
  • Introduce values early with fun tools like our exclusive coloring book to help the younger generation explore family values in fun ways. 
A 100-year vision doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with intentionality, just one small, consistent step toward clarity and purpose. Even 1% growth every day leads to transformation over decades.

About the Author

Lonnie Grienger is a lifelong entrepreneur, leader, executive coach, and founder of the Thriving Family System, a proven framework that helps families of wealth flourish across five forms of capital: financial, human, intellectual, social, and spiritual. As a leader of his own multigenerational family legacy, Lonnie unites decades of business leadership with deep relational wisdom to help families align their values, purpose, and resources in ways that create lasting impact. He has advised family offices and high-capacity families around the world on how to build high-impact businesses and design pathways for intentional legacy. Through tools like the Family Compass and the principles of holistic wealth, Lonnie equips families to grow in clarity, connection, and purpose, building thriving families that can thrive for generations. He believes flourishing families are the foundation of a flourishing world and is passionate about helping others experience the joy of building generations well-lived.