FundSvcs Community

Our university has several museums on campus that provide memberships, and we are getting an increasing number of questions regarding benefit amounts/QPQs and giving through DAFs. I have read through a lot of the comments on this site, but still want to discuss specifics so I can give them the best answers.

1. One museum's membership levels start at $59 and move up, but we've been told that all members are invited to 2-3 exhibition openings that cost $50+ per head per event. In this case, how would they list the benefit amount if it is over the amount paid? It seems like this shouldn't be recorded as a gift at all, which would mean they would not receive a tax receipt. 
2. Since their higher membership levels have benefit amounts that hover around 30% of the total- then the only way someone could give through their DAF, would be to waive all benefits, correct? If the museum says they can't offer the option to waive the benefits, they wouldn't be able to accept the grant?
3. Is a token different from tangible benefits received at an event with food and drinks, per the IRS?
   If they are different, does the 2% rule deducting token costs from contributions still apply?
4. Is disclosure of a benefit amount required before a gift is made; or can disclosure be made after the gift, as a line item of their receipt?

------------------------------
Christin Blaschke
The University of Texas at Austin
christin.blaschke@austin.utexas.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/11/2024 3:51:00 PM
From: Christin Blaschke
Subject: Membership Benefit Amounts/QPQ and DAF gifts

Our university has several museums on campus that provide memberships, and we are getting an increasing number of questions regarding benefit amounts/QPQs and giving through DAFs. I have read through a lot of the comments on this site, but still want to discuss specifics so I can give them the best answers.

1. One museum's membership levels start at $59 and move up, but we've been told that all members are invited to 2-3 exhibition openings that cost $50+ per head per event. In this case, how would they list the benefit amount if it is over the amount paid? It seems like this shouldn't be recorded as a gift at all, which would mean they would not receive a tax receipt. 
2. Since their higher membership levels have benefit amounts that hover around 30% of the total- then the only way someone could give through their DAF, would be to waive all benefits, correct? If the museum says they can't offer the option to waive the benefits, they wouldn't be able to accept the grant?
3. Is a token different from tangible benefits received at an event with food and drinks, per the IRS?
   If they are different, does the 2% rule deducting token costs from contributions still apply?
4. Is disclosure of a benefit amount required before a gift is made; or can disclosure be made after the gift, as a line item of their receipt?

------------------------------
Christin Blaschke
The University of Texas at Austin
christin.blaschke@austin.utexas.edu
------------------------------