You should always acknowledge any gift as a courtesy as well, but I believe
that anything $75 or more must be acknowledged. When we send out membership
materials (card, etc.) we send an acknowledgement/thank you letter and a tax
receipt. I can provide anyone with samples on or off-list. The following
text is on each form that we send, though.

In accordance with the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Historical
Society of Western Pennsylvania is providing this acknowledgement for
charitable contributions made and, if applicable, a certification of the
value of any goods and/or services provided.

In my experience, I have realized that every donation, no matter how small,
is appreciated and should be officially acknowledged. We have a large senior
citizen membership base and sometimes $10 means a lot to them.They often
worry that their donation was lost in the mail if it is not acknowledged in
a timely fashion.
     Our membership levels range from $25 to $1,879. We are also an affliate
of the Smithsonian, so benefits include admission, shop discounts and their
magazine as well as our benefits. Please feel free to contact me if you need
further information.
     Best of luck with your fundraising efforts!
~Allison Ruppert
___________________________________________
Allison M. Ruppert
Membership Development Associate
Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4200
(412) 454-6321/ Telephone
(412) 454-6031/ Facsimile
[log in to unmask]
www.pghhistory.org



>From: Val Schafer <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Donation receipts?
>Date: Thu, 28 Mar 2002 11:37:19 EST
>
>Hello listers,
>
>I work for a small non-profit historical society. I noticed that we rarely
>give receipts. We have a membership system where the standard annual
>membership is $10-15, but when someone contributes, say, $100, should we be
>giving them a receipt? Does any of that $100 constitute a donation? In
>return for their membership fee, they get a newsletter twice a year and
>some discounts on entry fees, visitor's center items, etc. Are those few
>things really worth $100?
>
>I guess what I'm asking is, where do you draw a line and give a receipt as
>a 'donation' and when are they just getting something in return for their
>money (assuming I don't need to give a receipt for that)?
>
>Any comments are much appreciated.
>
>Thank you!
>Valerie Schafer
>Executive Director
>Garnet Preservation Association
>Missoula, Montana
>
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