[Noisebridge-discuss] donations and tax receipts

[Andy Isaacson]

On Mon, Dec 07, 2009 at 08:04:49PM -0800, Andy Isaacson wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 07, 2009 at 07:51:03PM -0800, Audrey Penven wrote:
> > I have someone wanting to donate an old film SLR to the Noisebridge
> > darkroom.  As part of the deal, he wants to get a receipt for donating
> > to a non-profit.  I didn't find any information related to this one
> > the wiki.  Maybe this is because I didn't know what to search for...
> > So, how do I go about getting a receipt for him?
> 
> Email secretary@ with the following info:
>  - a description of the donation
>     "one minotaur skeleton"
>  - when the donation was received
>     "15 March, 42 BC"
>   - who the donor was, including street address and ideally email.
>     "Julius Caesar, Imperial Palace, Rome"
> 
> Within 4 to 6 weeks we'll send them a nice paper letter thanking them
> for their donation, and a PDF as well if email is provided.

Oh yeah, the email should also answer
 - who received the donation?  Preferably a Noisebridge member.
 - does the donor want to be thanked publicly, or would they rather
   remain anonymous in our public accounting of donations?
 - did the donor receive anything of value in exchange for the donation?

When receiving a donation as a 501(c)3, we have to record (and report in
the letter) any items of value given to the donor in return for the
donation.  Giving the donor some stickers is fine, and doesn't need to
be recorded; giving a T-shirt does need to be recorded, and should only
be done for donations of substantial value, say, $200 and up.

-andy