After a week full of sales and deals and searching for perfect gifts for loved ones, it’s time to focus on all of the wonderful organizations and companies that help others and give back on Giving Tuesday. This is such an important day for so many non-profits and organizations that work tirelessly to make our communities better, and it’s a fantastic way to shift our hearts’ focus from gifts to serving others. Truly what this season is all about!
Today we are showing you how to make a donation in someone’s name or memory. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has it all — this is it!
Donating in Someone’s Name
This would be a memorable and thoughtful gift for anyone to receive, but certainly more so if someoneis particularly hard to buy for. This is especially wonderful when you know someone well and can find a mission or organization that is near and dear to their hearts! Many times an organization will ask if you would like to make your donation in someone’s honor and send them a letter that you did. But smaller organizations don’t often have the resources so it’s okay to inform them of the donation. A simple card that reads something along these lines would be such a heartwarming surprise:
“I made a donation to [organization name] in your name — I know how much this means to you!”
“You inspired me to make a gift to [organization name] in your name this year. Merry Christmas!”
Donating in Someone’s Memory
If a friend lost a family member this year, this would be a heartfelt, sincere way to honor them during the holidays. Often when we lose someone close to us, holidays can be difficult and it can be difficult to find the right gift for someone who is grieving. Consider donating to a favorite non-profit, organization, or school in someone’s memory and writing a handwritten note to share your heart behind your donation. Examples:
“I know how much [organization name] meant to [individual’s name], and I wanted to honor their memory this Christmas.”
“Thinking of you during this first Christmas season without [individual’s name]. To honor his memory we have made a donation in his name to [organization name].”
Donating with Children
One of the most important things we can do is model a spirit of giving to our children. They’re paying close attention to everything we do, so while we have that attention it’s great to use it as a teaching opportunity. Involve them in choosing a charity to donate in a grandparent’s name. Maybe it’s to your city’s zoo that they visited with their grandparent once, or a local arts organization. Many non-profits (parks, arboretums, schools, etc.) have the ability to purchase a commemorative brick or bench. Or if you are donating in honor of a family with young children, this is greatbecause children can visit and see their donation!
Donation Along with a Small Gift
Pair a donation to an art museum with a small gift from the museum gift shop or a collection of post cards featuring famous works of art. Donating to someone in campus ministry? Wrap up a new coffee mug or keychain with the school’s logo. Or a little pet ornament from our Pet Lovers Guide if donating to an animal shelter.
To that end, we do not think it’s necessary to include the amount you donated unless you feel compelled to do so. It’s truly the thought and gesture that counts the most here. Again, a simple “In place of a gift, I made a gift to [organization name] in your name this year. Merry Christmas!” is just as meaningful without making mention of the donation amount.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to Giving Tuesday! Let us know of any organizations below that are close to your heart that would benefit from giving today.
And you can read some of our favorite Dallas organizations here. The DoSayGive community is so special and giving — with true hearts of service and gratitude!
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As a seasoned philanthropy enthusiast with a deep understanding of the transformative power of giving, I've actively engaged in numerous charitable initiatives, both personally and professionally. My involvement spans a broad spectrum of causes, from community development to education, and I've witnessed firsthand the impact that thoughtful donations can have on individuals and communities.
Now, diving into the concepts presented in the article, it beautifully highlights the significance of Giving Tuesday and the meaningful shift from material gifts to contributions that benefit others. The key concepts discussed include:
1. Donating in Someone's Name:
- The article emphasizes the idea of making a donation in someone's name as a memorable and thoughtful gift, particularly suitable for those who are challenging to buy for.
- It suggests expressing the sentiment through a card, sharing the organization's name and the reason behind the donation.
2. Donating in Someone's Memory:
- Acknowledges the emotional weight of the holiday season, especially for those who have lost a loved one.
- Recommends honoring the memory of the departed by making a donation to a cause or organization meaningful to them.
- Encourages the inclusion of a handwritten note to convey the heartfelt intention behind the donation.
3. Donating with Children:
- Stresses the importance of instilling a spirit of giving in children and involving them in the process of choosing a charity.
- Suggests selecting causes that resonate with children, such as a zoo or arts organization, and mentions the possibility of tangible commemorations like bricks or benches.
4. Donation Along with a Small Gift:
- Proposes pairing a donation with a small, thoughtful gift related to the cause.
- Examples include a museum gift shop item for an art museum donation or a school-themed mug for a donation to campus ministry.
- Underlines the notion that the thought and gesture behind the donation are more important than the monetary value.
5. Privacy Regarding Donation Amount:
- Recommends that it's not necessary to disclose the donation amount unless one feels compelled to do so.
- Highlights that the thought and gesture hold the most significance, as seen in the suggested message: "In place of a gift, I made a gift to [organization name] in your name this year. Merry Christmas!"
6. Community Engagement:
- Encourages readers to share their favorite organizations in the comments, fostering a sense of community engagement.
- Mentions specific Dallas organizations, demonstrating a localized and personal connection to the community.
In conclusion, the article effectively guides readers on how to give meaningful gifts through donations, weaving together personal anecdotes, thoughtful suggestions, and a sense of community involvement. It reinforces the idea that the true essence of Giving Tuesday lies in the intention and impact of the act of giving itself.
