Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

July 25, 2006

A gift acceptance policy, often overlooked yet very important, sets guidelines for the types of gifts your organization is willing and able to accept - cash, pledges of cash or otherwise. Crafting this policy as you establish your development program helps to build the credibility of your organization.

Consider using these questions to guide your decisions about gift acceptance:

1. Will the gift help your organization fulfill its mission?
2. What liabilities - financial and otherwise - accompany this gift?
3. Will your organization be required to do anything special in order to accept this gift?
4. What will it cost to operate or administer the gift?
5. Does the organization need to keep the gift for a period of time, and if so, is there an associated cost?
6. Is the gift free from liens, environmentally sound and accompanied by a valid deed?

Needless to say, nonprofits' reliance on funding makes all gifts important, yet the liability associated with some gifts can cause Boards to look at them with an eye of caution or simply to say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

Although the list of unique gifts is limited only by the imagination of donors, here are some special gifts to consider addressing under a gift acceptance policy:

• Personal papers or memoirs
• Partial interest in a privately held company
• Real estate
• Mineral rights
• Art
• Livestock or agricultural commodities
• Partially paid-up insurance policies

Discuss and establish gift acceptance policies before you need them - and definitely before you ask for the gift.

- Jerry Clevenger, MBA, CFRE, Vice President (Sarasota, Fla.) jerry@hartsookcompanies.com

Another smart idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Ensure every board meeting starts with five minutes of pure mission and vision, not just business." - Mary Murawski, Presbyterian Children's Services (St. Louis, Mo.)

If you are interested in Best Practices, check out these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, contact ASR Philanthropic Publishing by calling toll-free 1-866-630-8500.

• "Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union

• "Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas

For a free copy of any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com

The Hartsook School of Consulting

Bob Hartsook, an icon and expert in the fundraising profession, has been dedicated to the education and advancement of fundraising for decades. He has offered seminars in more than 30 cities across the country, been a guest speaker for countless conferences, symposiums and classrooms, and authored six books and mountains of articles.

In November, Bob is taking training to a new level - The Hartsook School of Consulting, a fundraising executive boot camp.

Keep watching various industry publications for more information. Or, if you want to be one of the first to hear more, send an email to hsc@hartsookcompanies.com with your contact information.


Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.