How to Make a Donation in Someone’s Name

Making a donation in someone’s name involves contributing to a charitable organization to honor or memorialize an individual. This gesture allows donors to celebrate milestones, express sympathy, or acknowledge a person’s lasting legacy. These contributions often serve as a meaningful alternative to traditional gifts, providing support to causes that resonate with the honoree or their loved ones.

Choosing the Beneficiary Organization

Selecting the right charitable organization is a primary step. Choose an organization whose mission aligns with the honoree’s interests, values, or the specific cause they supported. Research the charity’s reputation and financial health to ensure the contribution will be used effectively towards its stated goals. Resources such as Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance provide insights into a charity’s transparency and financial accountability. These independent evaluators offer detailed reports, including information on how much of each dollar goes directly to programs versus administrative costs.

Donors should prioritize organizations that hold a 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. This designation confirms the organization is a public charity, which is a prerequisite for the donation to potentially qualify for tax deductibility. This status can typically be found on the charity’s website or through IRS databases.

Information Required for the Donation

Before proceeding with a donation, gather all necessary information. Donors will need their full legal name, current mailing address, email address, and a reliable phone number. These details are essential for the charity to process the transaction and issue any required acknowledgments.

The full name of the honoree is also required, along with their mailing address if the charity is expected to send a physical notification. Donors must specify whether the contribution is “in honor of” a living individual or “in memory of” someone who has passed. Finally, the exact donation amount and the chosen payment method details, such as credit card information or bank account details for an ACH transfer, must be prepared. For mail-in donations, having check information ready is equally important.

Executing the Donation

Executing the donation can be done through various methods. For online contributions, navigate to the charity’s official website and locate their donation portal, typically labeled “Donate Now” or “Give.” On the donation form, select the option to make a gift “in honor” or “in memory” of someone. Input the donor and honoree details, enter the donation amount, and select a payment method. Review the summary before confirming the transaction; an immediate confirmation email or on-screen message should follow.

For mail-in donations, obtain the charity’s physical donation form, often available for download from their website or by request. Fill out the form with all the prepared information, including the honoree’s details and your payment information. A personal check made payable to the organization is typically included with the completed form in a securely sealed envelope. Phone donations involve calling the charity directly during business hours and providing the collected information to a representative. In all cases, retaining a record of the transaction, such as a confirmation number or a copy of the mailed form, is a prudent practice.

Notifying the Honoree

Once a donation in someone’s name has been processed, the charitable organization typically handles the notification of the honoree or their family. Charities commonly send an e-card or a personalized letter to inform the designated recipient. Physical cards are also a frequent method, often featuring a message acknowledging the donation.

These notifications usually include the donor’s name, allowing the honoree to identify the sender. However, for privacy reasons, the exact donation amount is almost never disclosed in the notification sent to the honoree. Some charities offer donors the option to include a customized message or to select a specific notification method during the donation process, providing a personal touch to the acknowledgment.

Tax Considerations for Donors

Donations made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations are generally tax-deductible for individuals who itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows taxpayers to deduct cash contributions and non-cash contributions, though specific rules and limitations apply. Maintaining accurate records is important for substantiating charitable contributions.

Donors should keep bank records, such as canceled checks or credit card statements, as proof of payment. For any single cash contribution of $250 or more, the IRS requires a written acknowledgment from the charity to claim a deduction. This acknowledgment must include the name of the organization, the amount of the cash contribution, and a statement indicating whether the organization provided any goods or services in return for the donation. It is advisable to consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized advice regarding specific tax situations, as tax laws can be complex and individual circumstances vary.