Mail: Acknowledgement Letters

Mary Dudley

Does anyone have sample text of an acknowledgement letter for an Estate gift?  I am having trouble finding anything to guide me in creating one.  Any guidance would be appreciated.  Thank you.

Carolyn Moatz

We've been using this recenlty:



Please accept this letter to confirm the receipt of the recent gift from the estate of XXX. We are truly grateful for this generous and thoughtful contribution.

 

XXX honored Germantown Academy by having named the school in his estate plan. Please know that this gift will be applied to continuing our mission, directly benefiting the current students here at GA.



We tweak the letter to acknowledge supporting a specific area, or if the person was an alum, but this is the general starting point.

 

JoAnn Strommen

We basically use the same letter as for other acknowledgements.  If there are special details, can just add a sentence or two documenting.  Similar to the text Carolyn posted.

Rita Bayer

SAMPLES OF UNRESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED LETTERS:

Thank you for forwarding the final disbursement from the Estate of (name) to the University of Saint Joseph. We are pleased that (name) had chosen to leave a bequest to the University, and that she entrusted us with the opportunity to determine the best use of her gift. We will work diligently to use her gift in a manner that appropriately honors her memory. We are grateful to you for all you have done to facilitate our receipt of this generous gift.

- OR-

I just learned that we received the final portion of a bequest from the estate of (name), and I want to thank you personally for your efforts in fulfilling the wishes of one of our very special alumni. I understand that (name)’s gift was unrestricted, but I am certain that we will create a legacy in her name that will benefit our students for many years to come. Her generosity will have a lasting effect on her alma mater.

- OR -

Thank you for sending to the University of Saint Joseph the bequest from (name). Mr. (name)’s gift was deposited into the University’s Art Gallery Discretionary Fund. We are grateful for Mr. (name)’s gift, and I am certain that the director of our Art Gallery will use it in a special way to honor the memory of one of the Gallery’s most loyal patrons. Enhancements to our collection offer benefits to both the University community and our guests by creating wonderful educational and aesthetic experiences. Mr. (name)’s gift to the Art Gallery Discretionary Fund will help enrich the University of Saint Joseph experience for generations of students. We are grateful for his generosity and the faith he had in our university.