Charitable Giving and Scholarships in Someone's Memory
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
Many families set up memorial charitable giving — a one-time donation drive, an ongoing named fund, or a scholarship — as a way of turning grief into something that continues to help others. Options range from simple (directing 'in lieu of flowers' donations to an existing charity) to more involved (establishing a dedicated scholarship fund).
For many families, directing generosity toward a cause someone cared about becomes a meaningful way to keep their memory active in the world.
Simple options
The most common and straightforward approach is requesting donations to an existing charity “in lieu of flowers” in the obituary — the charity typically handles everything, with no special setup required from the family.
Establishing a scholarship
Options range in complexity:
- A one-time or ongoing gift to an existing scholarship fund at a school or organization
- Establishing a new named scholarship, often through a school, university, or community foundation — this usually involves more paperwork and sometimes an ongoing funding commitment
Setting up a dedicated fund
A community foundation can often help set up a named memorial fund without requiring you to form an entirely new nonprofit organization — a middle ground between a simple donation and starting something from scratch.
Choosing a cause
Many families choose something connected to:
- The cause of death (such as a specific disease research organization)
- A cause the person was personally passionate about during their life
- An organization that supported the family, such as a hospice that cared for them
Keeping it manageable
None of this needs to be elaborate to be meaningful — even a simple, ongoing annual donation in someone’s name can be a genuine, lasting tribute.
For anything beyond a simple donation drive, a community foundation or estate attorney can help navigate the specific legal and tax considerations involved.
Frequently asked questions
What's the simplest way to set up memorial giving?+
Requesting donations to an existing charity "in lieu of flowers" in the obituary is the simplest approach — the charity typically doesn't require any special setup on the family's part.
How do you set up a scholarship in someone's memory?+
Options range from a simple one-time gift to an existing scholarship fund, to establishing a new named scholarship through a school, university, or community foundation — the latter usually requires more paperwork and often an ongoing funding commitment.
Can we set up a charitable fund without a lawyer?+
For simpler options — directing gifts to an existing charity, or a basic fund through a community foundation — legal help usually isn't necessary. More complex structures, like an independent nonprofit, typically do require legal guidance.
How do we choose which cause to support?+
Many families choose something connected to how the person died (like a specific disease research fund), a cause they were personally passionate about, or an organization that supported the family during illness or loss, like a hospice.
Sources
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