Matthew Shepard's death sparked changes to hate crime laws. (Matthew Shepard Foundation)

More than $20,000 has been fundraised so far to install a memorial plaque near to where Matthew Shepard was laid to rest in Washington DC.

A GoFundMe page was set up on November 12 to crowdfund $30,000 for the Matthew Shepard bronze plaque to be installed in the chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea at Washington National Cathedral.

The plaque would sit alongside a plate dedicated to political activist Helen Keller.

The GoFundMe had raised $23,946 at the time of publication.

Memorial plaque is an opportunity to “honour” Matthew Shepard, says GoFundMe

“We now have the opportunity to add a second historic bronze plaque to the chapel—honoring Matthew Shepard,” the GoFundMe page reads.

“For decades to come, this will be a reverent site that resonates with meaning and memory for all, including LGBTQ Americans.”

Shepard’s remains were interred in a crypt near to the chapel on October 26.

Matthew Shepard’s murder led to LGBT+ hate crime laws in the US

Shepard, whose murder in 1998 paved the way for LGBT+ hate crime legislation in the US, was buried following a service in front of more than 2,000 people.

It took over two decades to find a secure resting place for Shepard, whose parents feared his grave would be vandalised.

Around 200 people are interred in the Cathedral, including deaf-blind activist Keller and former US president Woodrow Wilson.

The thanksgiving and remembrance service in Washington DC was led by the retired reverend Gene Robinson, the first openly gay priest to become a bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Robinson carried an urn containing Shepard’s ashes down the aisle in a candlelit procession, followed by Shepard’s parents Judy and Dennis.