Handle fundraising mail after a memorial gift
A memorial gift can put the donor on a charity's mailing list. If you want fewer follow-up appeals, contact the charity directly. Tribute acknowledgments go to the honoree's family and may be handled by a different office.
How to reduce appeals after a memorial gift
- Read the mailing label on the appeal to see whose name and address the charity has on file. The donor record may differ from the tribute recipient's.
- Contact the charity's donor services team and ask to reduce or stop appeal mailings sent to the name and address shown on the piece.
- To use Junk Mail Magic, photograph one ordinary appeal showing the sender and your full mailing label. If mailers come from different senders, photograph one from each. An authorized user should review the details and submit.
- If you want to change what the honoree's family receives, ask the charity whether the same team handles that or a separate memorial gifts office does.
Donor and tribute records
A memorial gift usually involves two people: the donor, who may receive appeals, and the family being notified, who receive the tribute acknowledgment. A request to stop appeals at your address would not necessarily change what the family receives. If you are acting for a donor whose record is not your own, ask the charity whether it requires written authorization before it changes anything. Handle only mail you are authorized to deal with.
Give the charity time to update its records
After you contact the charity, write down the date and the name of the person you spoke with. If appeals continue, follow up with that information and ask the charity to confirm the record was updated.
Instructions for the next step
Have an unwanted advertisement ready?
Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.
Try one request free