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  • 1.  Gift in Kind question -- Donation of custom merchandise

    Posted 08-05-2025 03:45 PM

    Hello All,

    I have a company that is donating a large number of custom-printed backpacks to our institution for our staff and faculty, and the department ordering this item is asking for a receipt. Previously in similar cases, we've provided an acknowledgement describing the item(s) and quantity donated, and then simply recorded the FMV for our own records in back-end reporting. I wanted to verify that this is consistent with best practice. CASE Guidelines didn't mention this type of item (particularly, customized) so I wasn't sure if that made a difference. Thanks in advance for any insight from our experts!



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    Melissa Rufener
    Life Pacific University
    mrufener@lifepacific.edu
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  • 2.  RE: Gift in Kind question -- Donation of custom merchandise

    Posted 08-05-2025 04:02 PM
    No, the nature of the merchandise does not make a difference. 

    You will still need to obtain an estimate of FMV from the company, likely using values they have previously sold similar merchandise for. That's what you will count the donation for. 

    As for the receipt, it should only describe and state the quantity of the items. If I had received the donation, I would state on the receipt something like, "X [make/style] backpacks that XYZ Corporation customized for us."

    John

    John H. Taylor, Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier Street
    Durham, NC     27705

    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Gift in Kind question -- Donation of custom merchandise

    Posted 08-05-2025 04:28 PM

    John, 

    Thanks for this response. That's what I have been doing. Wanted to confirm before proceeding since it's been a while.

    Appreciate the wisdom!



    ------------------------------
    Melissa Rufener
    Life Pacific University
    mrufener@lifepacific.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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