Memorial Gifts: A Most Meaningful Donor Connection Opportunity

In visits with public safety organizations across Iowa, I have learned a common thread in donations coming in are memorial gifts. While these gifts are virtually impossible to predict but are among the most emotional your organization might receive. What an honor to have a life memorialized with a gift to your organization! Memorial gifts typically come in to public safety and other nonprofits in the several ways, including:

1. The family of the person who has passed away asks that any memorial gifts be designated to your organization. 

2. Someone who knew the person who passed away chooses to make a memorial gift to your organization due to their existing affinity for your good work. 

3.  The person who has passed away had a provision in his or her will that allowed for a gift to your organization.

After you receive such a meaningful gift, what are your next steps? Here are some ideas you might apply to ensure you bring honor to these incredible gifts and the life being  honored with them:

1. Mail a prompt and personal thank you to each person making a memorial gift. Aim for 24 hour turn around on these letters or notes. 
2. Track and provide the family with a list of those who make memorial gifts directly to you. 
3. Fill a current and relevant need with the memorial gift. Leaving funds in a checking or savings account does nothing to honor the life of the person for whom the gift was made. 
4. Communicate the impact of the memorial gift to the donor(s). Yes, this probably means a second communication to your memorial donors and the family of the person who passed away. 
5. Stay in touch with the family of the person who passed away. If possible, invite them and your memorial donors to your organization to see their support of their loved one at work. 
6.  Consider whether you have an appropriate place at your organization to add a plaque listing your memorial donations with space to add future names.
7. Immediately enact provisions to ensure any gift restrictions are honored. For example, if the gift specifies that it be used to cover volunteer training costs, setup a separate account  with the gift proceeds and only process training expenditures through that fund. 

Now it's your turn. Please share in the comments below what has worked well for your organization to honor your memorial gifts.