The Deslandes Foundation Gift Acceptance Policy
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Deslandes Foundation solicits and accepts gifts that are consistent with our mission and support our core initiatives and programs. The Deslandes Foundation has developed this Gift Acceptance Policy to ensure that any accepted gifts will allow our foundation to maintain its integrity and public confidence in the organization. The Deslandes Foundation will not solicit or accept sponsorships or gifts from any entity whose practices, policies, or operations are deemed unacceptable and contrary to the values implicit in our mission.
Statement of Policy
The Deslandes Foundation actively solicits and encourages the business community, service clubs, and other organizations to become sponsors and donors of The Deslandes Foundation events, programs, and services. The Deslandes Foundation enters into sponsorship agreements with sponsors and accepts donations from organizations it deems appropriate. Sponsorship agreements may vary by sponsor. This policy is designed to be mindful of The Deslandes Foundations’ status as a nonprofit organization under the law. The Deslandes Foundation reserves the right to refuse or decline any offer of sponsorship at its absolute discretion or to negotiate with the sponsor concerning any aspect of a proposed sponsorship.
A sponsorship is defined as a mutually beneficial exchange arranged in advance whereby.
- The Deslandes Foundation obtains financial support for a specified activity.
- Sponsor automatically receives acknowledgement in return for cash and/or products and services-in-kind to The Deslandes Foundation.
A donation is defined as a contribution to The Deslandes Foundation for support of its mission, programming, and events.
- The Deslandes Foundation obtains financial support for specific activity.
- Donor does not automatically receive public acknowledgement in return for cash and/or products and services-in-kind to The Deslandes Foundation.
Sponsorship and Donor Guidelines
The Deslandes Foundation welcomes sponsorship and donors in support of its organizational efforts subject to the following guidelines:
- The Deslandes Foundation will not accept sponsorship that reflects in a negative manner on the organization, does not align with its mission statement, or is not in the best interest of the health and safety of the organization.
- The Deslandes Foundation works with children. Therefore, we do not accept sponsorships for certain categories of products and services, including but not limited to:
1. Alcohol products
2. Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
3. Weapons
4. Tobacco products or establishments
5. Sexual escort services
6. Gambling opportunities or casinos
7. Weight-loss products or plans
8. Plastic surgery or body augmentation
9. Adult Novelty Products and Services
The Deslandes Foundation does not endorse, directly or by implication, any products, services, or ideas promoted by sponsorship or donor organizations.
Individual members of The Deslandes Foundation should not receive any substantial benefit from association with sponsors or donors. Any commissions, substantial gifts, or other financial benefits should be brought to the attention of the foundation President.
The Deslandes Foundation must retain control over any sponsored program and sponsors should not have any input into operational matters relating to a project they have sponsored.
This policy is not applicable to philanthropic contributions, grants, or unsolicited donations in which no benefits are granted to the sponsor and where no business relationship exists.
Sponsor or donor does not receive any special program benefits, priority treatment or governance over The Deslandes Foundation programming.
No Endorsement
The Deslandes Foundation, by accepting a sponsorship or donation, is not giving an implied or real endorsement of that donor. All public communications regarding philanthropic engagements are subject to prior agreement by The Deslandes Foundation and the donor. No third-party entity, including a corporation, may use The Deslandes Foundation name and/or trademarks without explicit written permission.
Right to Terminate
The Deslandes Foundation retains the right to terminate a philanthropic engagement for reasons relating to actual or potential reputational harm or legal compliance, breach of an agreement, and misuse of The Deslandes Foundations’ intellectual property including its name or brand.
Gift Acceptance Review
The Deslandes Foundation’s Board of Directors will convene as needed to review and make determinations regarding a potential gift(s). The Deslandes Foundation reserves the right to refuse any gift it believes is not in the best interest of the organization. All decisions to solicit and/or accept potentially controversial gifts will be made by the Board of Directors.
Restrictions on Gifts
The Deslandes Foundation will not accept gifts that (a) would result in The Deslandes Foundation violating its mission, (b) would result in The Deslandes Foundation losing its tax-exempt status as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, (c) are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value, (d) would result in any unacceptable consequences for The Deslandes Foundation or (e) are for purposes outside The Deslandes Foundations’ mission. Decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift, and its acceptance or refusal, shall be made by the Board of Directors. In order to be honored, gifts with restrictions on use of funds are required to be in writing and state the specific restrictions. If The Deslandes Foundation is not able to honor the restrictions, The Deslandes Foundation will work with the donor to come to a mutually agreeable solution.
Gifts Generally Accepted Without Review
- Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including 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), card number, expiration date, and name of the card holder as it appears on the credit card.
- Gifts from donors that explicitly share the mission and values of The Deslandes Foundation.
- Gifts from donors with which The Deslandes Foundation has an established and beneficial funding relationship.
- Gifts from non-controversial donors.
- Bequests and Beneficiary Designation under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans. Donors are encouraged to make bequests to The Deslandes Foundation under their will, and to name The Deslandes Foundation as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities, and retirement plans.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts. The Deslandes Foundation will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
Gifts Accepted Subject to Prior Review
Certain forms of gifts or donations may be subject to review prior to acceptance. Examples of gifts subject to prior review include, but are not limited to:
- Gifts from institutional donors (including foundations, foreign government agencies, corporations, corporate foundations, or for-profit entities) that might not implicitly or explicitly share the core values of The Deslandes Foundation.
- Gifts that require review by legal counsel (e.g. tangible personal property or real estate).
- Gifts that could lead to conflicts of interest.
- Gifts that include significant restrictions.
Use of Legal Counsel
The Deslandes Foundation will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when deemed appropriate. Review by counsel is recommended for:
- Documents naming The Deslandes Foundation as trustee or requiring The Deslandes Foundation to act in any fiduciary capacity.
- Gifts requiring The Deslandes Foundation to assume financial or other obligations.
- Transactions with potential conflicts of interest.
- Gifts of property which may be subject to environmental or other regulatory restrictions.
- Non-cash gifts if the donor is willing to cover legal review costs, if necessary and costs related to bringing donation to completion.
- Gifts involving use of Charitable Remainder Trust and other comparable strategies.
- Gifts of art or other collectible items.
Gifts In-Kind
The Deslandes Foundation accepts gift-in-kind donations that provide added benefit to the organization’s work and mission. The Deslandes Foundation will provide an official acknowledgement to donors for their accepted gifts, but in accordance with IRS regulations, the organization cannot provide gift valuation and the donor is responsible for determining the value of the gift. If an in-kind donation does not further the organization’s goals, The Deslandes Foundation reserves the right to decline the gift.
