My VP received an email from a relative encouraging us to start a program for accepting airline miles donations, like an organization named fisherhouse.org does. Since our Sisters do travel extensively because of our ministries & missions in other states and countries, my VP would like me to investigate this. I know nothing about donating miles, except that they are NOT a tax deductible gift. I am looking for input from someone whose organization actually has a program for this? Or if anyone has any tips on how to start to investigate this or where to start? FYI-This question was also posted to the Fund Services list, so if you belong to that, you will see a post there too. Thanksfor any thoughts/advice/input you can give. Denise Stengl Supervisor of Data Services School Sisters of St. Francis Milwaukee, WI [Email Removed]

I am interested in learning about this also. Did you get any answers?

I don't know about donating airline miles, but you might want to contact a few of the airlines for charitable contributions. I was with a non-profit that was able to get certificates for round-trip air fares, subject to availability of course...I'll see if I can find some additional information.

this is what I found out from a colleague: anybody can donate their skymiles, etc. to a non-profit. Non-profits can also write to the airlines and request the donation, but I would recommend going to their websites or calling the local offices to find out the name of the current community relations officers. Then they should call these folks, introduce themselves and the organization, and inquire about requesting a donation of skymile vouchers. And always follow-up with a letter signed by the company leader and a package of information about the organization. You will always need to provide the organization's 501, mission, board list, etc. It is always good to offer to provide any recognition that you have to offer. if they want it they will tell you.

I do not believe it is as simple as described here. The charity needs to have a partnership with the airline, under which the airline agrees to accept miles donated by its frequent flyers. The donor can't donate miles directly to the charity. If you look at the Fisher House website, or the websites of other charities that do this,such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, you will see that's how they're doing it. I would think you would need to be a large national charity to get an airline partner.

We have a natinal partnership with several of the major airlines for accepting donated miles. Our constiutants donate to us by mailing in there miles or by calling them in to us. These are then sent to our national office who handels the collecttion of the miles. I believe were able to do that because we are an extremly large Foundation.