CRCNA Standards for Gift Acceptance
The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) solicits and accepts gifts for purposes that will help the CRCNA further and fulfill its mission. The Christian Reformed Church in North America will refrain from providing advice about the tax or other treatment of gifts, and will encourage donors to seek guidance from their own professional advisors to assist them in the process of making their gift. No irrevocable gift, whether outright or life-income in character, will be accepted if under any reasonable set of circumstances the gift would jeopardize the donor’s financial security.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America will respect the intent of the donor relating to gifts for restricted purposes.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America will provide acknowledgments to donors meeting IRS and CRA substantiation requirements for property received by the charity as a gift. Except for gifts of cash and publicly traded securities, value shall be ascribed to any gift received by CRCNA in-line with applicable federal, provincial, state and local regulations.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America will not compensate, whether through commissions, finders’ fees, or other means, any third party for directing a gift or a donor to the CRCNA.
The following policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to the Christian Reformed Church in North America for the benefit of any of its operations, programs or services.
Use of Legal Counsel—The Christian Reformed Church in North America will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when appropriate.
Restrictions on Gifts—The Christian Reformed Church in North America will not accept gifts that (a) would result in CRCNA violating its corporate charter, (b) would result in CRCNA losing its status as an IRC § 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in the United States or as a Registered Charity in Canada, (c) are too expensive to administer in relation to their value, (d) would result in any unacceptable consequences for CRCNA, or (e) are for purposes outside CRCNA’s mission. Decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift, and its acceptance or refusal, shall be made in consultation with the Executive Director.
Unrestricted Gifts Generally Accepted Without Review—
- Cash. Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including check, money order, credit card or electronic funds transfer, by mail or on-line.
- Publicly-traded Securities. Marketable securities without restrictions 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 CRCNA’s Deputy Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer.
- Bequests and Beneficiary Designations named in Revocable Trusts, Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Lead Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Donor-Advised Funds, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans.
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:
- In-Kind Gifts of Property or Services
- Real Estate
- Other Tangible Personal Property
- Non-liquid Securities
- Privately-traded Securities
- Restricted Securities. 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 Director of Finance and Operations.
- Other Restricted Gifts
- Gifts whose sources are not transparent
In the case of non-publicly traded securities, the Deputy Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer may request the input of the donor regarding how and when the securities can be converted to usable funds.
In the case of a proposed donation of property or physical assets, it shall not be accepted until approved by legal counsel. The Deputy Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer shall request, in writing, opinion as to liens, litigation, and environmental issues before deciding whether to accept the proposed donation. If there is not positive cash flow, a plan for funding the cash needs of the proposed donation shall be approved prior to acceptance. In some instances, a donor may wish to contribute real estate or financial assets with investment specifications (including, but not limited to, retention of the asset) inconsistent with the Investment Policy of the CRCNA. Compliance with such donor specifications will require approval of the Support Services Committee of the Council of Delegates prior to acceptance of the gift. The goal is to convert all such donations to cash at the earliest practical date.