Hi all -
We are in the process of reviewing and/or overhauling our acknowledgment process. I am looking for some feedback.
Our managing director wants to play a bigger role in acknowledging our donors, which is great. However, he is pretty dead-set against including the standard IRS "language" at the bottom of the letter (which is what we've always done). He wants the letter to be more personal, and feels that the tax language destroys this somehow.
After some discussion, we think we may have arrived at a solution of sorts, which is to run the letter sans the IRS language, and include some kind of a "buck slip" which would detail the gift specifics (amount, date received) plus the language.
I am wondering what other organizations are currently doing, and/or if anyone would be willing to share samples of their acknowledgment letters and/or receipts.
Thanks much!
-Lisa McColgan
Annual Fund Coordinator, Huntington Theatre Company
Hi Lisa,
We have a couple of different renditions of our tax language.
For gifts to our Capital Campaign, the tax information is on the same page as the letter.
No goods or services have been provided by the Orange County Performing Arts Center in consideration of this contribution.
The Orange County Performing Arts Center is a non-profit tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code - Tax Identification Number 23-7287150.
Please retain this acknowledgement for your tax records.
For gifts to our operating fund at the lower levels, a condensed version such as this is used. For larger gifts, the tax information and receipt is on a second page. This information is altered based on the membership level.
In compliance with the Internal Revenue Service, a charity must determine the market value of benefits and list the deductible and non-deductible amounts for contributions. The Orange County Performing Arts Center estimates the value of Patron of Tribute membership services and events at $xx per year.
The Orange County Performing Arts Center advises you to seek your own legal and tax advice in connection with gift and planning matters. The Center does not provide legal or tax advice. This communication (including any attachments) may not be used for the purpose of avoiding tax related penalties.
For gifts from our major donors and Board members, a letter also goes out from our President and Chairman of the Board. They only receive these two letters when their written pledge is received or if an outright gift comes in, and it is seldom sent with the tax information. It's a lot of process work and paper for sure, but it seems like our constituents are enjoying the extra attention from the President and Chairman.
Good luck with whichever route you choose.
Amber AlbertOCPAC