Memorial Giving Options
1.
Give to a local interest-aligned fund.
You may also choose to contribute directly to one of the Community Foundation’s established funds that aligns with your loved one’s passions and values. This option allows you to honor them by supporting a purpose they cared about, with the confidence that the fund will be used exactly as intended. See fund options below.
2.
Give to a local interest-aligned fund.
Contributions are specifically earmarked for gifts made in memory or in honor of a loved one. At a later time, the family or representative may choose the charities or causes that will receive these memorial contributions, ensuring each gift reflects their loved one’s legacy.
Fund Options
This fund accepts memorial gifts, allowing families to quickly direct contributions while giving them time to decide how the funds will honor their loved one.
This Fund helps people give back by directing grants where they’re needed most, supporting Otsego for generations.
This fund supports disaster response efforts throughout our county.
This fund supports organizations that bring comfort to local cancer patients.
This fund supports programming initiated by pre-K through 12th-grade teachers.
This fund supports conservation efforts throughout the county.
This fund supports the Veteran’s Day Celebration held annually at Gaylord Middle School.
This fund supports programs that impact youth in Otsego County.
This fund supports supports arts and culture programs, projects and services.
This fund supports supports organizations dedicated to improving mental health.
Resources
Sample obituary language:
To honor [Name of the Deceased], memorial contributions may be made to the (Chosen Fund) of the Otsego Community Foundation. Be sure to make the check out to Otsego Community Foundation and include the name of deceased and fund name on memo line.
Checks can be mailed to address below:
Otsego Community Foundation PO Box 344 Gaylord, MI 49734
Online Donations:
We understand that this is a challenging time, and we hope we’ve provided enough information to help you make the decision that feels right. Any additional details can be taken care of when you’re ready. If questions arise, please feel free to reach out to Amanda Sosa at amanda@otsegofoundation.org – 989-731-0597.
Features of Memorial Giving
- Donors can give by cash, check, online, or appreciated stock, including mention of the person they wish to memorialize.
- Note that the purpose of the Memorial Fund is to accept contributions in honor or in memory of a community member and make a charitable distribution in the name of that community member.
- OCF will acknowledge donor contributions along with proper tax receipts.
- OCF can provide donors’ names and mail/email address if the family or representatives wish to acknowledge them personally.
- The balance of directed donations into the Memorial Fund may be distributed
- to the Community Fund or another fund at the Otsego Community Foundation
- to establish a new fund if the minimum is met, or
- to an IRS eligible recipient.
- OCF Staff will check in within three month, if needed, to help family or representative decide what impact they wish the individual memorial balance honoring the deceased to have. If, after six months, the OCF has not received guidance from the family or representatives, the gifts will enrich the Community Fund to meet needs and advance opportunities in Otsego County, now and for generation to come.