Glossary
Donor Management

Memorial Gift

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
July 2, 2025

Definition:

A memorial gift is a donation made in memory of a deceased person, honoring their legacy while supporting a nonprofit’s mission.
A Memorial Gift is a donation made to a nonprofit organization in memory of a deceased individual. These gifts honor the legacy or memory of someone who has passed away, often at the request of the family or as part of a memorial service. Memorial gifts can take the form of one-time donations, recurring contributions, or even larger planned gifts such as endowments. Nonprofits typically acknowledge these gifts with special recognition, personalized thank-you letters, or inclusion in memorial events. Memorial gifts are a meaningful way for donors to celebrate a loved one's life while supporting causes that were important to them or their families.

Key Takeaways

  • Memorial gifts honor deceased individuals by supporting causes they cared about.
  • Nonprofits should provide personalized acknowledgments to donors.
  • Proper tracking ensures legacy and donor wishes are respected.

Why It Matters

Memorial gifts foster donor engagement and create lasting legacies for both the honoree and the organization.

Real World Example

After the passing of a beloved community leader, her family requested that friends and acquaintances make memorial gifts to a local animal shelter instead of sending flowers. The shelter received an influx of donations, which were tracked and acknowledged with personalized letters expressing gratitude and sharing how the gifts would be used. The family found comfort in knowing that their loved one’s passion for animals would continue to have a positive impact, while the shelter benefited from increased support and deeper community engagement.

How Keela Helps

Keela's donor management tools allow nonprofits to easily track, acknowledge, and manage memorial gifts. Automated acknowledgments, customized tribute tracking, and robust reporting features ensure that memorial gifts are properly attributed and recognized, enhancing donor stewardship and honoring the wishes of the donor and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a memorial gift and a tribute gift?

A memorial gift honors someone who has passed away, while a tribute gift can honor someone living or deceased.

How should nonprofits acknowledge memorial gifts?

Nonprofits should send personalized thank-you letters and may notify the family or next of kin, respecting donor and family wishes.

Can memorial gifts be recurring donations?

Yes, memorial gifts can be structured as one-time or recurring donations, depending on donor preference and nonprofit policy.

Why do families request memorial gifts instead of flowers?

Families often request memorial gifts to support causes their loved ones cared about, creating a lasting legacy and tangible impact.

How does Keela help manage memorial gifts?

Keela's donor management features allow you to easily track, acknowledge, and report on memorial gifts, ensuring proper recognition and stewardship.

Related Terms

A/B Test
Accessibility Compliance
Acknowledgement Letter
Address Verification
Affiliation
Archiving Historical Donor Data

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