Gift Acceptance Policy Template

1. Purpose

• Establish guidelines for evaluating, accepting, and acknowledging charitable contributions to [Organization Name].

2. Scope

• Applies to all forms of gifts: cash, securities, real property, tangible personal property, planned gifts, in-kind donations.

3. Authority

• Board of Directors retains ultimate authority; delegates day-to-day review to Gift Acceptance Committee (GAC) composed of staff and board members.

4. General Gift Acceptance Guidelines

• Gifts must support mission, comply with laws, and not expose organization to unacceptable risk.
• Gifts shall be recorded, acknowledged, and reported according to accounting standards and IRS regulations.
• Donor intent documented in writing; restricted gifts accepted only if consistent with strategic priorities.

5. Types of Gifts

5.1 Cash and Checks

• Accepted without prior approval; deposit promptly.

5.2 Credit Card and Electronic Transfers

• Processed through approved merchant accounts; ensure data security compliance.

5.3 Publicly Traded Securities

• Transferred to brokerage account; liquidate upon receipt unless otherwise approved.

5.4 Closely Held Securities and Partnership Interests

• Require review by GAC and legal counsel; may accept subject to appraisal, transfer restrictions, and potential liabilities.

5.5 Real Estate

• Require environmental review, appraisal, title search, and board approval; consider carrying costs, marketability, and liabilities.

5.6 Tangible Personal Property

• Accept if usable in programs or marketable; require appraisal for items >$5,000.

5.7 In-Kind Gifts

• Evaluate storage, maintenance, and insurance requirements.

5.8 Planned Gifts (Bequests, Charitable Trusts, Gift Annuities)

• Encourage donors to consult advisors; documentation maintained in planned giving files.
• Organization may serve as trustee only with board approval and resource capacity.

5.9 Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets (optional)

• Accepted via approved exchange, immediately liquidated, compliance with AML policies.

6. Donor Restrictions and Naming Opportunities

• Document restrictions in gift agreements; organization retains variance power to redirect funds if original purpose becomes impracticable.
• Naming opportunities approved by board based on established guidelines.

7. Due Diligence and Review

• Gifts subject to ethical concerns, public relations risks, or unusual terms require review by legal counsel.
• Organization reserves right to decline gifts inconsistent with values or financial capacity.

8. Gift Acknowledgment and Stewardship

• Issue written acknowledgments meeting IRS requirements (including quid pro quo statements).
• Maintain donor records, recognition, and reporting consistent with donor intent.

9. Roles and Responsibilities

• Development staff manage gift intake, acknowledgment, and stewardship.
• Finance staff handle valuation, recording, and reporting.
• Board/GAC provide oversight and approve exceptions.

10. Review and Amendments

• Policy reviewed at least every [Number] years; amendments require board approval.

Approved by Board of Directors on [Date].

Board Chair: ____ Date: __

Secretary: ____ Date: __