GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY

A. Cash and Cash Equivalents

• Acceptance: Unrestricted cash gifts are accepted via checks, bank drafts, or secure online portals including our fee-free platform partner, Zeffy.
   

• Check Instructions: All physical checks should be made payable to Rescue for Life International or Rescue for Life International/Christian Ministry Corporation.
  
  B. Publicly Traded Securities (Stocks and Bonds)

• Acceptance: The Organization accepts publicly traded stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
   

• Liquidation Rule: It is the strict policy of the Organization to immediately liquidate all received securities upon transfer into our brokerage account. No volunteer or board member is authorized to hold or speculate on market securities on behalf of the charity.
  
  C. Tangible Personal Property (Standard In-Kind Gifts)

• Acceptance: The Organization accepts basic tangible donations such as clothing, shoes, non-perishable food, and functional personal electronics, provided they can be deployed directly to our local crisis kits or international supply lines.
   

• Valuation Rule: In accordance with IRS rules, the Organization will provide an acknowledgment receipt describing the items given. However, the Organization will not assign a dollar value to tangible personal property; establishing the fair market value for tax deduction purposes is strictly the responsibility of the donor via IRS Form 8283.
  
  D. Vehicles and Titled Assets
  Review Mandatory: Titled vehicles, including cars, trucks, or boats, are never automatically accepted through website form submissions.
  
  Pre-Conditions for Acceptance:

• The vehicle must clear a title search to ensure it is free of all liens, encumbrances, and back taxes.
   

• The donor must provide clear documentation showing the vehicle is in operational condition, or the Board must determine that the liquidation value exceeds any towing or storage costs.
   

IRS Reporting: If accepted and subsequently sold, the Organization will file IRS Form 1098-C within 30 days of the sale to provide the donor with the exact liquidation value for their tax records.

 

E. Real Estate (Houses, Land, Buildings)

Board Approval Required: Real estate gifts require explicit, unanimous approval from the Board of Directors.
 

Pre-Conditions for Acceptance: Prior to accepting any deed or title transfer to a house or parcel of land, the donor must fund and provide:

• A certified, independent Qualified Appraisal meeting all IRS standards.
   

• A comprehensive title policy showing clear, unencumbered ownership.
   

• A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to protect the Organization from hazardous waste liabilities or local environmental cleanup costs.
   

• A clear review of local zoning laws, property tax assessments, and ongoing maintenance costs.