It is our privilege to help those who wish to recognize others through philanthropic support for Rice’s mission. A tributary gift to Rice is a meaningful way to show your appreciation for a friend, to celebrate a special milestone or to commemorate a loved one’s memory. The individuals who are being recognized in this manner are called tributees.

For assistance with making a tributary gift, please contact Caroline Pryzant, Constituent Strategy Specialist, at 713-348-3657 or carolinep@rice.edu.

Honorary Gifts

Gifts may be made in honor of others or in celebration of a special occasion such as a birthday, a wedding, a retirement or other meaningful life event. If you would like to make an honorary gift, we can provide information to help you consider where to direct your gift, including whether a fund in the tributees' name exists at the university.

Memorial Gifts

When someone has passed away, charitable contributions are a thoughtful way to ensure a lasting legacy. We are honored for Rice University to be a vehicle through which friends and family choose to remember a loved one.

If you wish to direct memorial gifts to Rice, you may select any area of support that has special meaning to you or the tributee. Below are examples of recommended obituary language, which you may adapt:

• "For those who wish to do so, memorial contributions may be directed to Rice University at the Office of Development MS-81, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251, or at giving.rice.edu."
• "In lieu of customary remembrances, donations are welcomed by the family to the Rice Fund at Rice University MS-81, PO Box 1892, Houston TX 77251; giving.rice.edu; or to your favorite charity."

Giving in Tribute - FAQs

Please visit Endowments at Rice for more information about endowed funds, or contact Caroline Pryzant, Constituent Strategy Specialist, at 713-348-3657 or carolinep@rice.edu.

How can I make a tributary gift?

Tributary gifts may be made online, or through any of our donation channels. Please indicate if your gift is being made in honor, in celebration, or in memory of someone and provide details about your gift, including the name of the tributee, contact information for the person to be notified and if there is a special message you would like to be shared.

If you wish to organize a collective effort to raise gifts in honor of or in memory of someone, please contact one of our development officers or Anna Won, Constituent Relations Officer, at 713-348-6093 or stewardship@rice.edu.

Will the person for whom I am making a tributary gift be notified? What information is provided?

An acknowledgement will be sent to the tributee or their family within 2-3 weeks of the gift being processed, if we have contact information for the recipient. If you have current contact information, please provide it at the time of your gift.

The notification will include the donor’s name and mailing address, as well as the designation of the gift and any special message the donor wishes to convey. If you would like to withhold any information, including your name, please indicate that your gift is anonymous or specify what information you would like to be shared.

I made a tributary gift but my receipt does not include the tribute information. Did you receive the instructions?

Some receipts, such as those issued for gifts made online, do not include information about the tributary nature of a gift. If you provided information at the time of your gift, your instructions have been received.

You will receive an additional acknowledgement from the university to let you know that your tributary gift has been processed and if a notification has been sent to the tributee. If you do not receive this acknowledgement within 3 weeks of your receipt, please reach out to Development and Alumni Relations.

I am not sure where I would like to direct memorial gifts on behalf of my loved one. May I choose at a later time?

We are humbled that you have thought of directing support to Rice University during this difficult time, and we wish to assist in any way we can with decisions you may be making.

Commonly chosen memorial designations include the Rice Fund, The Rice Investment (Undergraduate Scholarships), the Shepherd Society at The Shepherd School of Music, the Friends of Fondren Library, and the Rice Athletics Owl Club. We are also happy to assist with recommendations for other areas of support.

If you do not yet know how you would like memorial gifts to make an impact at the university, you may also request a Memorial Fund in the name of your loved one. Memorial gifts will be collected and acknowledged as they are received, and we will discuss with you at a later time how you would like for these gifts to be used.

I wish to make a gift in memory. How should I designate my gift?

If someone has indicated instructions with their last wishes or through an obituary, or if a fund in their name exists at the university, we can provide this information to you for your consideration. Otherwise, we can help you to make a decision based on their special interests or on how you wish to leave a mark at the university.

I would like to recognize my loved one with a tree, a bench or a brick on campus. How do I do this?

We understand the desire to place a physical reminder of a loved one on our beautiful campus. Currently, Rice does not have a program for memorial bricks and benches. Our practice with regard to trees is to reserve these as a means to honor retiring faculty and staff with 20 or more years of service to the university.

How can I establish a permanent endowment in honor or in memory of someone?

Please visit Endowments at Rice to learn how to create an endowment fund, or contact Anna Won, Constituent Relations Officer, at 713-348-6093 or stewardship@rice.edu.