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The Nonprofit FAQ
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Development
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Are there organizations that help with donated equipment?
There are programs that do this in several cities.
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How to Choose a Service to Process Donations Online
IdealWare has a thorough discussion on the web.
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Is it Worth it to Set Things Up to Receive Donations by credit card?
It is cost effective to allow donors to charge donations; they give slightly more, can arrange monthly installments, and the organization may save on printing and postage.
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What kinds of gifting by individual donors are most common?
A classification of various kinds of gifts.
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Do all nonprofits have members?
No. And the term 'member' is used in many ways. In some organizations, members have specific rights and powers.
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What are the principal differences among charitable trusts?
An informal introduction to the options for planned giving.
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Can we sell donated equipment and use the proceeds?
The feelings of the donor as well as federal regulations must be considered when determining the use of a donation.
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Development of Practices about Receiving Donations Online
This topic has been discussed many times in the Nonprofit FAQ over the years. This item archives the earlier discussions for ready reference.
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How to value donated goods.
A gift acknowledgement, or receipt, must accurately describe the gift in kind but no monetary amount should be mentioned.
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E-Fundraising, by Adam Corson-Finnerty
An early introduction to the topic of fundraising online.
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Is there a way to donate a used wireless phone?
Here are some links with advice about programs for re-using cell phones.
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What should a prudent donor do?
Cliff Landesman's 'Donor Defense Kit' (included here) makes some suggestions.
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Setting Up a Fund to Help People Meet the Costs of Fighting a Disease
Gifts to individuals generate no tax deduction. There are other complications. Working with a community foundation can help.
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How can I get software donated?
Some companies make donations to specific kinds of nonprofits and there are some organizations that distribute donations broadly among nonprofits; some of both are listed here.
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How can a community radio station find funds for new equipment?
Extensive discussion of ideas for soliciting donations to fund new equipment for a radio station. Many ideas would be applicable to campaigns for capital equipment or other similar fundraising situations.
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Is it Possible to Receive a Deduction for a Gift of Services?
In general, the answer is 'no.' A deduction cannot be taken when no income has been earned.
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What about car donation programs?
Car donation programs can be effective for both donors and charities. New rules place new limits on such programs from January 1, 2005.
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What is 'substantiation'? Why should donors care?
If you make a cash contribution of any size, you have to have 'substantiation' for the gift in order to deduct the gift from personal income taxes.
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How should we thank an anonymous donor?
Obviously, the donor's name isn't published anywhere. But other ways of saying 'thank you' may be appropriate.
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Does anyone ever say 'no' to a gift?
It's best to think this question through before the issue arises and to have an established policy that relates any restrictions on donors or donations to the mission of your organization.
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Is it possible to get computer equipment donated?
A posting from the early years of the FAQ which may offer some useful suggestions.
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Software for client/donor tracking or mail merge?
Some advice about choosing this kind of software. (Some from the early days of the FAQ that probably needs to be updated.)
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Is it necessary to pay for telemarketing services from a firm?
If volunteers are properly trained, it may not be necessary to hire a telemarketing firm.
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What kinds of gifts would be most useful for new organizations?
Which should fundraisers concentrate on first?
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Is it difficult and expensive to establish a charitable trusts?
There are legal and tax complications which must be handled carefully.
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What are the various tax benefits available to a donor?
Charitable gifts can result in lowered taxes in many ways; here is a brief discussion of some of them.
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How should donors calculate fair market value of premiums?
The IRS defines fair market value as the amount a willing buyer would pay a willing seller.
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Are Ratios Useful? For Donors? For the Community? (Added 2/24/96)
When should donors be concerned about average costs (ratios) in evaluating the performance of organizations which seek donations as one of the ways they raise the money they need to operate?
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Does Fundraising on the Internet Require Registration in Every State?
Does posting a request for donations on a website mean registration is required in every state? There is no final answer...yet. Several writers' have discussed the question online.
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Do volunteers own the copyright when they contribute creative works?
US law specifies that the creator owns the copyright unless specific agreements are in place.
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Can a Donor Retrieve Gifts of Money or Goods?
In most cases, the answer is 'no.'
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Should Volunteers be Asked to Make Financial Contributions?
A veteran fundraiser thinks so. And offers advice about how to make such requests.
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How do we plan a program to secure major gifts? Build an endowment?
Two veteran fundraisers outline the major steps.
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What are the 10 'Immutable Laws of Fundraising'?
They're not encouraging, but thinking about them will help in the development of a realistic fundraising plan.
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Can a business receive a tax-deduction for an in-kind gift?
Yes, but in many cases, such gifts are treated as business expenses, which is often simpler and just as effective for the donor.
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Can my organization get started for $0 out of pocket?
Probably not. It takes elbow grease, shoe leather, and persistence.
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Who should process incoming donations?
Organizations often tussle over which department should open the envelopes that might contain donations. Strong arguments can be advanced to support the differing views.
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Is IRS recognition necessary before we receive donations?
Strictly speaking, no. But many larger donors require evidence of 501(c)(3) status and it offers reassurance to all.
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Strategies to Encourage and Find Donations of Equipment
Ideas for getting office equipment beside going to the store.
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Basic Customer Database Principles
Suggestions from a long-term contributor to the FAQ.
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How can life insurance policies be used to make a gift to a nonprofit?
This is one of several ways of making a planned gift.
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Can US corporations contribute to activities outside the USA?
Depending on the position of the corporate donor, contributions used for activities outside the US may or may not generate a tax benefit for the corporation.
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Is the cost of a raffle ticket deductible?
Purchasing a 'chance' to win something does not count as a charitable deduction.
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What is a Donation?
A 'donation' is the gift of property to a NPO.
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How long must you keep an in-kind gift?
There is no time limit, but if a large gift is disposed of within two years, there is a form that must be filed with the IRS.
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Can you get a tax deduction for a gift to 'your own' nonprofit?
When you work for a nonprofit -- either for pay or as a volunteer -- you can make the same sort of gifts anyone else could make.
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How should we acknowledge in-kind gifts?
Enthusiastically, of course. But there are some errors that must be avoided in this specialized area. Auctions require further attention.
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Are donations to Canadian organization deductible for US taxpayers?
Taxpayers with income in Canada can deduct charitable gifts to Canadian organizations. US taxpayers can only deduct gifts to US organizations from US income.
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Can I donate my door prize back and get a tax deduction?
Yes. But you may not want to. Best to decline the prize entirely so there are no tax consequences of any sort.
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How can we get started in workplace giving?
It's essential to build and maintain relationships with the leaders of the employing organizations who will make the decision about engaging their companies in the campaign.
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Creating connections between membership and donations
Do these two different sort of relationship with stakeholders have anything in common.
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Can a non-US organization receive tax deductible donations?
Deductions may be taken from US personal income tax only for gifts to US organizations; some gifts to Canada, Mexico and Israel may also qualify.
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Are donations always tax deductible?
Not always. Even when the recipient is an organization recognized by the IRS under section 501(c)(3), the donor may not be able to deduct the gift from personal income taxes.
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We can't afford a full office and staff. Where can we turn?
You may want to consider fiscal sponsorship. Here are a couple of organizations that may be able to help.
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How important is a computer?
Computers are important productivity tools, especially for small organizations. (Very early comments from the dawn of the computer age -- 1994!)
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Can we convert our swim club to 501(c)(3) status?
501(c)(3) organizations must be dedicated to a charitable purpose. A social club will have to make very significant changes to qualify for 'public charity' status.
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Where can I purchase supplies, software and hardware at low cost?
Here's information about firms that negotiate discounts for NPOs or specialize in meeting their needs.
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