I think the initial posting suggested that the letter to the donor would  
offer the option of redirecting the gift to another project or returning the  
gift. The long and the short is that the institution is not responsible to  
figure out the tax consequences in advance of the letter. In fact, we usually  are 
advised to steer clear of offering tax consequence advice to our donors.  
Ultimately it is up to them to make the arrangements with the IRS and we should  
not offer advice. It's too conflictive.
 
I have appreciated this thread, however, as I think this is a situation  that 
many institutions have been in or will find themselves in at one point or  
another. It's a little bit like the conversations about appraisals!
 
Sharon Duane Koomler
Director of the Museum
Shaker Museum and Library
Old Chatham, NY

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