What does it mean to make a donation in honor of someone?
A donation in honor of someone is a charitable gift made to recognize a living person. Dedicating your donation is a great way to show someone you care about them while helping give back in their name. You can donate in someone's honor to celebrate their birthday, anniversary, wedding, graduation, retirement or for hoidays.
St. Jude patient Erma
Honor someone special with a donation to St. Jude
St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
When you donate to St. Jude in honor of someone, you help give kids with cancer around the world the chance to grow up and live their best life. Together, we can save more lives.
How to donate to St. Jude in honor of someone
Step 2
Provide information about the person you're choosing to honor. You can choose how they're informed, if your name is included on the notification they receive, and you also have the option to include a personal message.
Step 3
Complete your donation. St. Jude will send a notification informing the honoree that a tribute gift was made in their honor. Donation amounts are not included in the notification.
What to say in a tribute gift message
It's best to keep things simple when you make a donation in someone's honor.
If you choose to include a personal message, state the milestone or celebration and make it clear that a charitable gift has been made in the honoree's name.
Honor donation messaging examples:
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"To celebrate your birthday, a gift has been made in your name to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital."
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"Wishing you a happy holiday season. A donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been gifted in your name."
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"In recognition of this special anniversary, a donation has been made in your honor to St. Jude."
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"In honor of your graduation, a gift has been made to St. Jude in your name."
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"Thank you for the care and compassion you provide. A tribute gift has been made to St. Jude in your honor."
Frequently asked questions when donating in honor of someone
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You can donate in honor of someone special at any time, for any occasion such as an anniversary, holiday or just because.
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Donors who make a donation to St. Jude in honor of someone else may claim a charitable tax deduction for the donation to St. Jude to the full extent allowed by law. Be sure to consult with a tax professional for your situation.
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The gift recipient will not be able to see the amount you donated in their honor. When you make a donation to St. Jude in honor of someone, the amount of the gift only appears on the acknowledgment letter or tax receipt that is sent directly to you. Your gift recipient receives a separate letter or confirmation, if you choose to have one sent, that does not include the amount of the donation.
Have more questions? Please contact Donor Services at (800) 822-6344.
Other ways to honor someone with a charitable gift:
There are many ways to give to charity in honor of someone. Here are a few ways you can celebrate someone special while supporting a great cause like St. Jude.
Donate by mail
A tribute gift is a personal way to recognize an individual by making a donation to St. Jude in their name.
Print out our donation form, fill out the relevant information and mail it to the address on the form.
Donate through a fundraiser
Start a Facebook fundraiser or search for an existing one to honor that special family member, friend or commemorative occasion.