GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY
Use of Legal Counsel – CSSA will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when appropriate. Review by counsel is recommended for:
A) Gifts of securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements.
B) Documents naming CSSA as trustee or requiring CSSA to act in any fiduciary capacity.
C) Gifts requiring CSSA to assume financial or other obligations.
D) Transactions with potential conflicts of interest.
E) Gifts of property which may be subject to environmental or other regulatory restriction.
Restrictions on Gifts – CSSA will not accept gifts that (a) would result in CSSA violating its corporate charter. (b) would result in CSSA losing its status as an IRC 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.(c) are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value,(d) would result in any unacceptable consequences for CSSA, or (e) are for purposes outside CSSA’s mission. Decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift and its acceptance or refusal, shall be made by the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Executive Director.
Gifts Generally Accepted Without Review
Cash – Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including by check, money order, credit card, or on-line. Donors wishing to make a gift by credit card must provide the card type (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), card number, expiration date, and name of the card holder as it appears on the credit card.
Marketable Securities – Marketable securities may be transferred electronically to an account maintained at one or more brokerage firms or delivered physically with the transferor’s endorsement or signed stock power (with appropriate signature guarantees) attached. All marketable securities will be sold promptly upon receipt unless otherwise directed by CSSA’s Investment Committee. In some cases marketable securities may be restricted, for example, by applicable securities laws or the terms of the proposed gift: in such instances the decision whether to accept the restricted securities shall be made by the Executive Committee.
Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans – Donors are encouraged to make bequests to CSSA under their wills, and to name CSSA as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities and retirement plans.
Charitable Remainder Trusts – CSSA will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
Charitable Lead Trusts – CSSA will accept designation as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts.
Gifts Accepted Subject to Prior Review – Certain forms of gifts or donated properties may be subject to review prior to acceptance. Examples of gifts subject to prior review include, but are not limited to:
Tangible Personal Property – The Executive Committee shall review and determine whether to accept any gifts or tangible personal property in light of the following considerations: does the property further the organization’s mission? Is the property marketable? Are there any unacceptable restrictions imposed on the property? Are there any carrying costs for the property for which the organization may be responsible? Is the title/provenance of the property clear?
Life Insurance – CSSA will accept gifts of life insurance where CSSA is named as both beneficiary and irrevocable owner of the insurance policy. The donor must agree to pay, before due, any future premium payments owing on the policy.
Real Estate – All gifts of real estate are subject to review by the Executive Committee. Prior to acceptance of any gift of real estate other than a personal residence. CSSA shall require an initial review reveals a potential problem, the organization may retain a qualified environment firm to conduct an environmental audit. Criteria for acceptance of gifts of real estate include: Is the property readily marketable? Are there covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements, encumbrances or other limitations associated with the property? Are there carrying costs (including insurance, property taxes, mortgages, notes or the like) or maintenance expenses associated with the property? Does the environmental review or audit reflect that the property is damaged or otherwise requires remediation?