< Church Name >

Gift Acceptance Policy

Proposed April 9, 2016

Purpose:

The Gift Acceptance Policy provides guidelines to representatives of <Church Name> who may be involved in the acceptance of gifts, to outside advisors who may assist in the gift-planning process, and to prospective donors who may wish to make gifts to <Church Name>. This policy is intended only as a guide and allows for some flexibility on a case-by-case basis. The gift review process outlined here, however, is intended to be followed closely.

Gift Review Committee:

The Gift Review Committee (GRC) is responsible to review all gifts to <Church Name>, and recommend to the Vestry to accept (or decline). Also, the GRC is responsible to address any questions which may arise in the review and acceptance of any gifts to <Church Name>.

The GRC shall be desginated by the <Church Name> Vestry, and shall include at least two members who are also members of the Investment Committee. If the Vestry does not designated a GRC, this function will default to the full Investment Committee.

Gifts by Type:

Cash

  1. All gifts by check shall be accepted by <Church Name> regardless of amount.
  1. Checks shall be made payable to <Church Name>(reference theGift Disposition Policy for more information). In no event shall a check be made payable to an individual who represents <Church Name> in any capacity.

Publicly Traded Securities

  1. Readily marketable securities, such as those traded on a stock exchange, can beaccepted by <Church Name>.
  1. For gift crediting and accounting purposes, the value of the gift of securities isthe mean of the high and low prices on the date of the gift.
  1. A gift of securities to <Church Name> normally will be liquidated immediately. However, exceptions to this include the following:
  1. If the form or designation of the gift allows the possibility that it will be directed to an existing Endowmentor Investment Fund, a decision regarding the liquidation of the securities will be deferred until that determination is made.
  2. If the funds are designated to be directed to an existing Endowment or Investment Fund, the certificates will be given to the Fund’s investment manager who then will act on the Investment Committee’s decision whether to sell or hold the securities, which decision will be made on portfolio considerations.

Closely Held Securities

  1. Non-publicly traded securities may be accepted only after consultation with the Gift
  2. Review Committee.
  1. Prior to acceptance, the GRC will explore methods andtiming of liquidation of the securities through redemption or sale. The GRC will try to determine:
  2. an estimate of fair market value
  3. any restrictions on transfer
  4. whether and when an initial public offering might be anticipated.
  1. No commitment for repurchase of closely held securities shall be made prior tocompletion of the gift of the securities.

Real Estate

  1. Any gift of real estate must be reviewed by the GRC.
  1. The donor normally is responsible for obtaining and paying for an appraisal ofthe property. The appraisal will be performed by an independent and professionalagent.
  1. The appraisal must be based upon a personal visitation and internal inspectionof the property by the appraiser. Also, whenever possible, it must showdocumented valuation of comparable properties located in the same area.
  1. The formal appraisal should contain photographs of the property, the tax mapnumber, the assessed value, the current asking price, a legal description of theproperty, the zoning status, and complete information regarding all mortgages,liens, litigation, or title disputes.
  1. <Church Name> reserves the right to require an environmental assessment of anypotential real estate gift.
  1. The property must be transferred to <Church Name> prior to any formal offer orcontract for purchase being made.
  1. The donor may be asked to pay for all or a portion of the following:
  1. maintenance costs
  2. real estate taxes
  3. insurance
  4. real estate broker’s commission and other costs of sale
  5. appraisal costs
  1. For gift crediting and accounting purposes, the value of the gift is the appraisedvalue of the real estate; however, this value may be reduced by costs of maintenance,insurance, real estate taxes, broker’s commission, and other expenses of sale.

Life Insurance

  1. A gift of a life insurance policy must be referred to the GRC.
  1. The Vestry will accept a life insurance policy as a gift only if <Church Name> is namedas the owner and beneficiary of 100 percent of the policy.
  1. If the gift is a paid-up policy, the value for gift crediting and accountingpurposes is the policy’s replacement cost.
  1. If the policy is partially paid up, the value for gift crediting and accountingpurposes is the policy’s cash surrender value. (Note: For IRS purposes, the donor’scharitable income tax deduction is equal to the interpolated terminal reserve,which is an amount slightly in excess of the cash surrender value.)

Tangible Personal Property

  1. Any gift of tangible personal property shall be referred to the GRC prior to acceptance.
  1. A gift of jewelry, artwork, collections, equipment, and software shall be assessedfor its value to <Church Name>, which may be realized either by being sold or by beingused in connection with the board’s exempt purpose.
  1. Depending upon the anticipated value of the gift, a qualified outside appraisermay be asked to determine its value.
  1. <Church Name> shall adhere to all IRS requirements relating to disposing of gifts oftangible personal property and will provide appropriate forms to the donor andIRS.

Deferred Gifts

  1. <Church Name> encourages deferred gifts in its favor through any of a variety of vehicles:
  1. charitable gift annuity (or deferred gift annuity)
  2. pooled income fund
  3. charitable remainder trust
  4. charitable lead trust
  5. bequest
  6. retained life estate
  1. <Church Name> shall not act as an executor (personal representative) for a donor’s estate. A member of the<Church Name> Vestry or Investment Committee serving as personal representative for a member of <Church Name> does so in a personal capacity, and not as an agent of <Church Name>.
  1. <Church Name> shall not act as trustee of a charitable remainder trust.
  1. When appropriate, <Church Name> may invite prospective donors to consider the giftvehicles offered by the Episcopal Church Foundation (specifically, charitableremainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and the pooled income fund) as well asits investment services.
  1. When donors are provided planned gift illustrations or form documents, thesewill be provided free of charge. For any planned-gift-related documents, materials,illustrations, letters, or other correspondence, the following disclaimer should beincluded:

We strongly urge that you consult with your attorney, financial and/ortax advisor to review and approve this information provided youwithout charge or obligation. This information in no way constitutesadvice. We will gladly work with your independent advisors to assistin any way.

  1. All information obtained from or about donors/prospects shall be held in thestrictest confidence by <Church Name>, its staff and volunteers. The name, amount, orconditions of any gift shall not be published without the express written or oralapproval of the donor and/or beneficiary.
  1. <Church Name> will seek qualified professional counsel in the exploration andexecution of all planned gift agreements. <Church Name> recognizes the right of fairand just remuneration for professional services.
  1. The <Church Name> Vestry, upon the advice of the Gift Review Committee, reserves the right to decline any gift that does not further the mission or goals of the parish. Also, any giftsthat would create an administrative burden or cause the board to incurexcessive expenses may be declined.

Amendment Policy:

Any amendment to this policy shall be presented to the Vestry for review and approval. Further, such amendments shall be approved by a two-thirds favorable vote of the full Vestry, in two meetings, at least twelve months apart.

*The full Vestry includes the Wardens and all currently active Vestry members.

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