Charitable Giving and Scholarships in Someone's Memory

For many families, directing generosity toward a cause someone cared about becomes a meaningful way to keep their memory active in the world.

What’s the simplest way to set up memorial giving?

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.

How do you set up a scholarship in someone’s memory?

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

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. 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. 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:

• 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

Does this need to be elaborate to be meaningful?

No - 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.