Technically, donors don't need the substantiation until sometime before they file their personal tax returns for the year the gift was made. There are other ways to acknowledge a gift in addition to a written gift acknowledgment that is sent to the donor, whether via email or regular mail.
How do you acknowledge a donation? The primary ways to acknowledge your donations are with an email or letter. There are several details that the IRS requires you to include: The name of your donor.
Each letter should include the following information: The donor's name. The full legal name of your organization. A declaration of your organization's tax-exempt status. Your organization's employer identification number. The date the gift was received. A description of the gift and the amount received.
Outline the information that needs to be included in the letter Start with a professional greeting. Identify the person the letter is acknowledging. Describe the action that is being acknowledged. Express gratitude for the action taken. Include any relevant details. Close with a professional sign-off. Add contact information.
While we recommend sending donation acknowledgment letters to all of your donors, you are legally obligated to send documentation to donors who have given a gift of $250 or more. The IRS requires nonprofit organizations to provide a formal acknowledgment letter to these donors for tax purposes.
Acknowledgement letters should be mailed no later than one week (5-7 business days) from the date of the gift. You should thank every donor, for every gift, regardless of gift amount. Gift amounts should NOT be included in your thank you letter (that's what the tax receipt is for)
How to Write a Gift Acknowledgment Letter State the purpose of your letter. Start your gift acknowledgment letter with a confirmation of the donation. Make your letter visually engaging. Personalize your note. Explain the impact of the gift. Express heartfelt gratitude. Invite supporters to stay involved.
A donor can deduct a charitable contribution of $250 or more only if the donor has a written acknowledgment from the charitable organization. The donor must get the acknowledgement by the earlier of: The date the donor files the original return for the year the contribution is made, or.
Once a donation of stock has been received, a thank you letter should be sent to the donor. This letter should acknowledge the gift of stock, such as the name and number of shares. It should not list the value of the stock received since the organization is not in the business of valuing stock.