I have an issue and I'm hoping it's very easy. We had a fundraiser earlier in the year where artists donated a piece of art to us that was sold in a silent auction. I have an artist who wants a letter from me stating her piece was valued at $1,500. I'm looking at IRS pub 526 and will be checking with our accountant later but I know I've seen this topic come up before. What do any of you provide to the donor of fine art that is sold to benefit your charity? Thank you for your help!! Hillary Murphy Financial Administrator Phoebe Foundation

Hillary, You as the organization does not state the value of the inkind item. That is up to the donor. The donor in good faith must detail that on his/her taxes. I can send you a copy of our donor letter, which reflects the IRS guidelines if you would like a copy.

Our organization also has been advised by our auditor of the same IRS rules that state that the donor determines the value of a donated item, not the organization receiving the gift. I would also love to see a copy of the letter that your organization sends to the donor if that is possible. My e-mail is: [Email Removed] [i]--- Edited at 3/3/2004 1:11:59 PM by abrennan[/i] [i]--- Edited at 3/3/2004 3:24:34 PM by abrennan[/i]

please do.....myemail is [Email Removed]. Thank you Hillary Murphy Financial Administrator Phoebe Foundation

Ann, I would like to have a copy of the letter as well. can you send it to [Email Removed]? Thanks! Michael Bankert VP, Finance & Administration California State Parks Foundation

Could I get a copy as well - [Email Removed] Thanks!

Hi - we have had some gifts -in-kind and wondered about this as well- can you email me a copy of the Thank you letter as well. [Email Removed] Thanks!

Please send a copy to me, too! [Email Removed] Thanks~

Every year there is a local art show and one of our supporters purchases a piece of art for us. We listed it as a Gift-in-Kind and didn't enter an amount because of IRS rulings. A Thank you letter is always sent no matter what the value of the gift. In the past few years this supporter has given us a voucher to go and pick out a piece of art that we would like. Now because the voucher has a specific amount we mark the gift-in-kind with a dollar value. This works for us because we now get to select an item. Uh, the art of cultivation. (Pun definitely intended!)

Hi, We're in the process of reviewing our policies on gifts-in-kind and would like to see your letter. Could you please email me a copy? Fran Carneal St. Paul's School [Email Removed]

I would appreciate a copy of your letter defining gifts-in-kind and any other sample letters your organization sends to donors. I am a new user of Raisers Edge 7 and new the Development world. Thank you. Eleanor [Email Removed]

I'd like to receive a copy of that letter as well. Thank you! You can send it to [Email Removed]. Doug Redford Mel Trotter Ministries

Amy, I would love to see a copy of this letter as well. We continually have to explain to our donors that we do not value in-kind donations -- but we appreciate them! Thanks, Chris Kern Forsyth School, St. Louis, Missouri [Email Removed]

Amy, I would also appreciate a copy of your in-kind letter [Email Removed]. Thanks much for sharing with all of us. Tina Tina Wilfer Development Assistant Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Appleton, WI [Email Removed]

I am in Canada so the rules may different for us and the US. But let me tell you what I would do in this case, if an in-kind donation is over $1000 I must have it appraised by a professional. This documentation I would put with my bank deposit backup for auditing purposes. Because of the value of the donation I am sure that the fundraiser who accepted the in-kind donation would send out a special thank you to the donor. If gifts-in-kind donated that are under $1000, I have a specific letter for them. In Canada, another requirement is that I state the name of the item on the receipt. So in this case I would enter "framed piece of art" (assuming it was framed) Hope this adds some value to your question. Ann