Gifts That Matter: The Impact of Making a Donation in Honor of Someone

Honor Donations: Meaningful Gifts That Make a Difference 

What are honor donations and why are people opting in favor of gifting this type of donation instead of choosing a more traditional present?  For many, honor donations have become a way to commemorate special occasions in a way that means much more than going to a store or buying a gift card. Honor donations can be a unique way to recognize and connect with the honoree by donating to their favorite charity or to a cause that has particularly touched their life in some way. No matter how you look at it, donation gifts come from the heart and as such carry much more sentimental value than anything that comes in a box.

Honor donations are also gifts that keep on giving. This type of donation, whether made in times of joy or in times of sorrow, can be an exceptional way to give a gift to a loved one while supporting a good cause and allowing that particular charity to continue and expand their services. Whether gathering funds through a fundraiser or making a contribution anonymously, honor donations are a form of giving that allow for benefits at every level, for the donor, the recipient, and for the charity... it's a win-win situation for all involved.

Understanding Honor Donations: The Power of Recognizing Others Through Giving  

So, what exactly are honor donations and what sets them apart from the general donations that we are all accustomed to?  Honor donations are generally made to celebrate positive milestones or achievements in an individual's life. These kinds of special occasions could include events like birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries or retirement, just to name a few. Honor donations can be a unique way to recognize a milestone moment in a friend or loved one's life while making a charitable contribution at the same time. These types of occasions don't always have to be celebrated with gifts such as flowers, a toaster or a new watch. Honor donations are a feel-good kind of gift that can have positive social and emotional significance for both the donor and the honoree. 

Included under the umbrella of honorary donations are what are sometimes referred to as tribute donations. This type of philanthropic giving is usually made in memorial after someone has passed or to commemorate the anniversary of the death of a loved one. Tribute donations are made on more solemn occasions, and are a way of honoring the legacy of a life while providing comfort to those in grief. It can be hard to know what a person or family going through the process of bereavement may need to in order to ease their pain, and because of this tribute donations can be a respectful and comforting way to let those who are mourning know that you are thinking of them. It also demonstrates that you have taken the time to pay tribute by contributing to a charity near and dear to the deceased or one that affected them personally during their lifetime. For example, it has become common practice when publishing an obituary that the family will request that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to a particular charity, and donating in this way can provide some solace to those close to the deceased and a touch the lives of others in a positive way for years to come. 

Recognizing Legacies: The Benefits of Honor Donations  

The decision to make an honor or tribute donation can have significant emotional and social benefits. Emotionally, making this kind of donation gives the donor a sense of satisfaction in knowing that their gift will have a long-term impact, especially if they have taken the initiative to make a donation to an organization that is held in high regard by the recipient. It can be incredibly fulfilling to know that a contribution will make a difference in the lives of others and will stand apart from the traditional gift giving that usually goes hand in hand with these kinds of celebrations. Honor donations are also used as a way to celebrate an honoree's personal achievements and recognize goals they may have accomplished, which can be used as an incentive for them to “keep up the good work,” or inspire others to jump on board and do the same.  When it comes to making a donation after an individual's death, tribute donations can be used as a way to cope with grief and keep the individual's memory alive, for both the donor and for the loved ones of the honoree who has passed. 

In addition to the emotional and social benefits, making a donation in honor of someone also has tax benefits that one wouldn't receive with giving a traditional gift. Making an honor donation to a recognized organization is generally tax deductible, just like a regular donation, and follows the same set of rules set by the IRS. As with general donations, it is important to verify that the organization is qualified for such a deduction to be received, and to be aware of the limits of how much of a deduction can be claimed, so take the time to do your homework or, if need be, consult with a tax professional or financial advisor if unsure if your contribution meets all the necessary requirements.  

How to Make a Donation in Honor of Someone  

Once the decision to make a donation in honor of someone has been made, the process is fairly straight forward but there are a few things to consider. Most importantly is choosing a charity that the recipient is involved with or connected to. This shows that you've taken into consideration what kind of organization the recipient values most. Making a tribute donation after an individual's passing? If the honoree suffered from a particular illness, it is common practice to donate to a charity that specializes in research and education associated with that particular ailment. The next step in the process is to verify that the charity is legitimate, reputable and fiscally responsible. There are many charity watchdog websites that use a rating system that can help with this, or dig around the internet for reviews and recommendations. 

The next step in the process is deciding if you would like to make a one-time donation or have your contribution set up to donate on a monthly basis. Once you have decided on the right organization and determined what amount is viable depending on your finances, it's time to go ahead and make your donation. The majority of charities give donors the option of making their contribution online, by phone, or by regular mail. If making your donation online there is sometimes a separate portal specifically for the purpose of making honor donations. Be sure to include the recipient's full name as well as their contact information should you wish for them to be notified directly by the charity. If opting to have the organization make the notification, there is usually a field where you can leave a personal message, which adds a personal touch.  

Once all of this is said and done, be sure to confirm that your donation has been processed and identified specifically as an honor donation and keep any correspondence with the charity for your personal records. Last, but not least, be open to sharing your donation story online through social media, email or word of mouth as long as you have the honoree or the family's consent. This can encourage others to contribute as well, making for an even greater impact and promoting a sense of community. 

Trending Tributes: Popular Causes for Honor Donations  

There are many different causes for which to make an honorary donation, each one as unique as the individual receiving it. Here are some the most popular categories of charities that receive such donations as well as examples of leading organizations in each field. 

• Cancer Research:  Founded in 1913, The American Cancer Society (ACS) is perhaps one of the most popular organizations that people go to when making honor donations. Whether it be as a tribute to an individual who lost their battle to cancer or an honor donation commemorating someone's victory over the disease, the ACS is the leading organization in the battle against cancer, with the goal of minimizing the effects caused by the illness, and ultimately eliminating cancer entirely. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are two other incredibly popular charities that receive honor donations and are leading the charge in the battle against cancer in both women and children. 

• Heart Disease: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, with one person dying of cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds. The American Heart Association is the premier charity in its field, focusing on education and research. The ultimate goal of the AHA is reducing disability and death due to cardiovascular disease and stroke, and they rely heavily on donation dollars to support their programs. 

• Mental Health: The lives of countless families have been touched by mental health challenges in some way and organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) receive a lot of support in terms of honorary and tribute donations. Founded by two mothers whose children suffered from schizophrenia, NAMI works to relieve the stigma associated with mental illness and provide support to families and individuals affected by psychological disorders or suffering from other mental health issues. 

• Environmental Causes: As our world continues to see the developing and disastrous effects of climate change, more and more people are turning their focus towards supporting various environmental organizations. Charities such as The World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, all work towards environmental conservation and sustainability and are proving increasingly popular options in terms in of honorary donations. 

• Disaster Relief: Forest fires, earthquakes, flooding, civil unrest. These issues all seem to be occurring on a more frequent basis and many people have taken to supporting charities that work in disaster relief. The Red Cross leads the way in humanitarian support, including having a network of over 16 million volunteers worldwide, and works towards alleviating human suffering from disasters both big and small. The Red Cross also works with blood donation services and offers training in areas such as CPR, and First Aid. When making an honorary donation to The Red Cross donors are given the option to decide exactly which program which they would like to support and give assurance that 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to those in need. 

The categories listed above are just a few of the many causes and organizations for which people are choosing to make honorary donations. Animal welfare, human rights, post-secondary scholarships and social services organizations are all also popular options and are seeing a steady increase in honor donations received annually. What's most important when trying to choose the right charity is that it's done thoughtfully and with the recipient kept in mind. 

Creating Lasting Memories with Honor Donation Gifts  

One of the most attractive points of making an honor donation is the long-term impact and legacy they can create. Making a donation to a medical research or healthcare charity ensures that these organizations can continue to make a difference through research or patient support programs. Creating scholarships to honor someone's name ensures that their legacy lives on through education. Honorary donations made to environmental organizations can help contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. At the end of the day, deciding to make an honorable monetary contribution to an organization is a charitable act of compassion and appreciation that shows the recipient that you care and take interest in the causes that are most important to them. Flowers come and flowers go but honor donations can make an everlasting change. 

 The Wrap-Up: Honoring Through Giving

In summary, honor donations are a great way to celebrate and commemorate those who have touched your life in some way and to do so in an impactful and positive manner. A charitable gift, particularly made in the name of someone else, has a positive impact on all those involved. The donor is left feeling fulfilled, the recipient feels appreciated and honored knowing someone has taken the time to support a cause close to them, and the organization benefits from the additional funds that allows them to continue their work. In terms of tribute donations, it's a way for the donor to honor the legacy of someone who has passed while providing condolences to the family and ensuring that their loved one may be gone but not forgotten. 

As the landscape of giving changes and and more and more people opt to make honor donations, or organize fundraisers in order to do so, it's important to keep in mind that no charitable donation made in the name of another is too small or won't make a difference. These donations are the gifts that keep on giving and will be remembered and appreciated for years to come for all those involved.

FAQ'S 

• How do I choose the right charity for making a donation in honor of someone? 

When choosing a charity for which to make an honor donation, the most important aspect to take into consideration is that the charity reflects the recipients' values and passions, or perhaps an organization in which they've dedicated their time or perhaps have donated to themselves. Be sure that the charity is recognized and reputable using resources such as Charity Watch, Charity Navigator or GuideStar. Also, never hesitate to contact the charity directly as they will be happy to guide you through the donation process or answer any lingering questions or concerns. 

• How can I notify the honoree or their family about the donation? 

There are several ways in which a donor can notify the honoree or the family about a donation. Many charities offer to do so directly on the donors' behalf, be it through regular or electronic mail, provided you have made their contact information available. Some donors prefer to send a personal message via greeting card or handwritten note, which makes the contribution all the more special. Some donors like to share a message about their donation via social media given that the recipient or their family has been notified beforehand.  

• What information do I need to provide when making an honor donation? 

When making an honor donation it's important to provide all the correct personal information. This includes your contact information, the honorees information (or the contact information of a family member in the case of a memorial donation), including their email address should you wish for the charity to notify them on your behalf. Advise the charity of the amount you would like to donate and whether or not you wish it to be a one-time donation or a recurring one. Lastly, should you wish to claim the donation for tax reduction purposes be sure include a request fo the proper documentation needed for when tax time rolls around.