Commemorative Giving

A commemorative gift is a meaningful way to express your lasting affection and gratitude for a friend, relative or colleague while at the same time, supporting Queen's University. The commemorative giving program features two components, Memorial Gifts and Honorary Gifts.

For more information on this program, please email Annual Giving.

Memorial Gifts

Memorial Gifts are a special way to honour a friend or a loved one who has passed away.

Any type of gift can be designated as a memorial gift and can be made in support of any program or project at Queen's University that is close to your heart.

In some instances, families identify specific funds where they would like memorial gifts to be designated.

To make a memorial gift, please visit the Give to Queen's site (you can enter the memorial information during checkout). With your consent, the family will be notified of your thoughtful tribute, which includes your name and address (amount is not disclosed.

For more information on this program, or on establishing a memorial fund, please please email Annual Giving.


Honorary Gifts

What better way to honour someone’s birthday, graduation, retirement or any special occasion than through an honorary gift to Queen’s University?

Any type of gift can be designated as an honorary gift and can be made in support of any program or project at Queen's University.

To make an honorary gift, please visit the Give to Queen's site (you can enter the honorary information during checkout). With your consent, the honouree will be notified of your thoughtful tribute, which includes your name and address (amount is not disclosed).

For more information on this program, or on establishing an honorary fund, please email Annual Giving.


Obituary Announcements

For obituary announcements, we suggest the following language, which can be tailored to your needs:

Memorial contributions may be made to Queen's University. You can make your gift online at Give to Queen's or, please send a cheque payable to Queen's University and kindly direct your contributions to (fund of your choice) in memory of (name of your friend/loved one) in the memo field of the cheque. Please mail to:

Commemorative Giving
Office of Advancement
Queen's University
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6

For gifts from non-Canadian residents, please see Give from Far Away


Queen's Alumni Review Obituary

If you would like to include a note or obituary in an upcoming issue of the Queen’s Alumni Review, please contact us or email the Review or call 1-800-267-7837. 

Obituaries will appear online in full. Obituaries that appear in print will be edited for space into the following format:

Jane Smith, BA'91
Jane passed away on Dec. 3, 2020 at 55. She is survived by her husband John, Sc'93; children, David (Sarah), and Mary (Tom); siblings Betty (Robert) and Dawn, NSc'91; and extended family and friends.

All submissions may be edited for clarity, civility, grammar, and punctuation.


Bench and Tree Program

Queen’s University provides donors with a unique opportunity to create a lasting tribute to honour a loved one or role model or to celebrate an anniversary or life achievement through a bench or tree dedication. When you choose to commemorate these important moments in this way, your gift will support campus beautification and offer enjoyment for the entire Queen’s community.

You may choose to dedicate a new bench for $10,000 or a tree for $5,000. An existing bench may be dedicated for $5,000. Your tax-deductible gift covers the cost of the bench or tree, the design and production of a commemorative plaque. The remainder of your gift will be directed to the endowment for the ongoing care of all benches and trees on campus.

Queen’s will work with you to find a location for the bench or tree, and to develop the wording to appear on your special plaque.

To request an order form or for further information, please email Annual Giving.


Establish a Named Fund

Tributes can take different forms.

You can create a tribute to a friend, relative, or colleague by establishing a named memorial or honorary fund at Queen’s University. You may choose to do this in the form of student assistance through a bursary, scholarship, award, or fellowship. You can also support teaching, research, learning initiatives, or student programming at Queen's. Your staff partner will work with you to establish a fund that reflects your wishes.

Once the fund is established, your staff partner will work with you to create a personalized online giving page to encourage support to your special fund.

You have two fund options to consider:

Endowed Fund

An endowment is a gift for life. Your original gift is invested and managed in perpetuity by Queen’s University as part of a pooled fund. The annual income generated by your endowed fund is used to support the specific purpose for which the fund was established. Many donors who have established endowment funds in the past continue making gifts to them over time. You can establish a fund with an outright gift or as a 5-year pledge commitment or through a deferred gift arrangement, such as a bequest. Depending on the type of fund you wish to create, it may be subject to funding requirements. Your staff partner will be happy to share this information with you.

Expendable Fund

An expendable fund is established for immediate use, with no investment component. Depending on the type of fund you wish to create, it will require an annual commitment for a total of 5 years and will be subject to funding requirements.

To learn more about creating a named memorial or honorary fund, please email Annual Giving.

Isabel Seat Dedication Program

Queen's University provides donors with a unique opportunity to create a lasting tribute to honour someone special, or to celebrate an anniversary, or life achievement through a seat dedication at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (the Isabel). When you choose to commemorate these important moments in this way, your gift will support Queen's students and the performing arts in our community. To make your gift, please visit the Give to Queen's Seat Dedication Program page.

Your gift of $3,000 will be recognized with an engraving on a small plate on the armrest of a chair in our performance hall, dedicated to the person of your choice. Your tax-deductible gift covers the cost of the design, production and installation of the plate. The remainder of your gift will help make extraordinary experiences happen for students and the community by attracting internationally acclaimed artists to the Isabel, and enhance the interdisciplinary activities between Music, Drama, Film & Media, and Studio Art.

Queen's will work with you to develop the wording to appear on your special plate.

For more information, please contact our Senior Development Officer, Arts, Anna Samulak by phone 613-533-6000 ext 78280 or email.