FundSvcs Community

Hi Michele,

You are correct in not putting an amount on your receipts but you should still record a value in your fundraising system. The methods of valuation would depend on the type of gift.

John Smilde

Director of Gifts and Records Administration

Advancement and Alumni Relations

George Mason University

4400 University Drive, MSN 1A3

Fairfax, VA 22030

703.993.8680

jsmilde@gmu.edu

 

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Hi Michelle,

We record the gift value for securities, gifts of personal property, etc... In the same field as we would record cash gift values. The logic for excluding amounts for receipts would be built into the receipt generation process. So...for impact reports, the dollar values for all gift types are pulled in by default. We would have to opt not to include certain gift types.

Don't know what software you are using but, if you are recording securities values in a different field than your cash transactions, then you'll need to add a layer of logic to pull those values in with cash gift amounts. Before you do that though, I would take a look at your recording process because it doesn't seem right that you don't have those values easily accessible in your report. 

It's not uncommon for planned gifts to be recorded in a different way than other gifts but that's completely different.

Thanks,

John

My answer is the same - just describe the property. Even if leadership feels differently!

However, one workaround is to list property gifts in a separate section and add a disclaimer that says, "These property values are provided as information only and reflect placeholder amounts we have stored in our CRM. For tax purposes seek guidance from a tax professional."

John

Good evening, Michele - 

I'm going to add my own thoughts to this thread as stewarding our donors and finding best tactics for recognizing their impact has long been of keen interest to me. I don't believe there is anything wrong with, in an annual summary impact statement, reflecting the value of stock as the institution has recognized it in the donor database (i.e., at the total mean value of the gift the day the shares reached the organization's account). In fact, I would suggest that such an impact statement might also reflect the 'soft' credit values of DAF gifts, corporate matching gifts, and even other in-kind contributions the donor has made and your organization has accepted as an asset. 

Even if a contribution isn't "tax deductible" that doesn't mean the intention isn't truly philanthropic support for your institution. If your organization accepts a gift then to the donor it means they've had a positive impact on you achieving the mission of your institution. I believe that recognition for impact of current gifts can inspire future contributions. My one suggested caveat on any such summary statement would include language along the lines of:

"This document is a summary statement of a total value at which your contributions to our organization are recognized. It cannot serve as any form of tax documentation. Any questions about tax-deductibility of your gifts should be directed to your tax advisor."

With best regards,

Amy

amy.j.phillips@hotmail.com

Founding, Charter and Active member of AASP!