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Stanford
Giving

Memorial and honorary gifts

Remember a loved one or honor a friend by making a gift that will have a lasting impact on the Stanford community.

Memorial gifts

A memorial gift is a meaningful tribute to someone special in your life. Such gifts can help ensure your loved one’s legacy continues for years to come—by furthering groundbreaking research, creating and sharing new knowledge, or supporting the next generation of students.

Instructions for bereaved family members

We are honored that Stanford held special meaning for your loved one and that you are considering a gift in their memory.

To direct family and friends to make gifts to Stanford in memory of your loved one, this suggested language can be used in an obituary, memorial service program, or tribute site:

Gifts supporting The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education:

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in memory of [name of the deceased] to The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education online at memorial.stanford.edu or by mail to Stanford University Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466. Please make checks payable to Stanford University and include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made “In memory of [name] for The Stanford Fund.”

Gifts supporting a school or unit:

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in memory of [name of the deceased] to [name of school] online at memorial.stanford.edu or by mail to Stanford University Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466. Please make checks payable to Stanford University and include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made “In memory of [name] for [name of school].”

Find more information about memorial gifts in the frequently asked questions below.

Honorary gifts

Making a gift to Stanford in someone’s honor can be a thoughtful way to express your appreciation for that individual—or to mark a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, or graduation. Like memorial gifts, honorary gifts support vital education and research, while also recognizing an important person in your life.

Frequently asked questions

  • We are honored that Stanford held special meaning for your loved one and that you are considering a gift in their memory. Families often ask others to make gifts in memory of their loved one through an announcement in an obituary, memorial service program, or tribute site.

    Here is some sample obituary language that you may find useful:

    In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in memory of [name of the deceased] to Stanford University online at memorial.stanford.edu or by mail to Stanford University Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466. Please make checks payable to Stanford University and include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made “In memory of [name] for [name of school].”

  • Memorial and honorary gifts can be made to an already-established fund at the university, such as The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate Education, the annual funds of the schools, Stanford Medicine, or to established funds at centers, labs, and institutes.

  • Endowed gift funds start at $250,000. If you would like information about establishing a named gift fund, please contact secure-memorialgiving@stanford.edu. Please consider that most gifts in lieu of flowers tend to be the equivalent of a bouquet.

  • While Stanford gratefully accepts gifts in memory or honor of someone, the university is not normally able to accommodate requests for plaques, trees, benches, or other similar memorials.

  • If you would like to direct a donation to a specific faculty member or program, please contact secure-memorialgiving@stanford.edu for more information on how to make the gift.

  • Yes, if you would like to direct family and friends to make gifts to Stanford in memory of your loved one, share the link memorial.stanford.edu.

    Consider using this language in an obituary, program, or tribute site:

    In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in memory of [name of the deceased] to Stanford University online at memorial.stanford.edu or by mail to Stanford University Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466. Please make checks payable to Stanford University and include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made “In memory of [name] for [title of fund it should be directed to].”

  • If you would like us to notify someone that you have made an “in memory of” or “in honor of” gift in their name, please provide their name and address so we can send them a notification letter.

  • Please send your name and address, along with the name of the deceased or honoree, to development services at secure-development-services@lists.stanford.edu to be notified of gifts made in your loved one’s name.

  • Stanford’s secure website is a safe, convenient way to give online. Use the drop down menu on the giving page to select where you would like to direct your gift. Be sure to complete the “In Memory” or “In Honor” portion of the gift form to ensure your gift is properly credited and that the bereaved family or honoree can be notified.

  • If you prefer to make a gift by check, please make it payable to Stanford University and indicate the desired fund title on the memo line. You may also indicate whether the gift is in honor of, or in memory of, a friend or loved one on the memo line. Please specify the full name of the deceased or the honoree and the name and address of the individuals you would like us to notify.

    Send your gift to:

    Stanford University Development Services
    P.O. Box 20466
    Stanford, CA 94309-0466