Donor Acceptance Policy

The following policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to Woodstock Housing Alliance (WHA) or for the benefit of any of its projects. 

Donor Intent: In general, WHA treats gifts as unrestricted in nature and available for all WHA projects and operations. A written agreement signed by WHA and the donor is required when a gift is restricted by the donor for a specific purpose or project. 

Written agreements will also be required for multi-year pledges. In the case of a restricted gift, WHA will review the requested restrictions in advance of accepting the gift in order to determine its appropriateness and may ask the Donor to consider removing or modifying the restrictions. 

WHA will not accept a gift for which it is incapable of honoring Donor intent. Once the gift is accepted the restrictions will always be observed. Gifts will be declined or returned when 

  1. The purpose is inappropriate or not conducive to the best interest of WHA, 

  2. There is a question as to whether the Donor has sufficient title to the assets or is legally competent to make the gift, 

  3. There is an expectation of quid pro quo services, or 

  4. The gift would obligate WHA to undertake responsibilities, financial or otherwise, which it may not be capable of meeting.

Cash Donations: Cash gifts may be made by check, wire transfer or ACH funds, or credit card. Gifts made by check are to be made out to Woodstock Housing Alliance. 

  • Wire transfer or ACH funds can be arranged by contacting WHA’s Development Department at: info@woodstockhousingalliance.org.  

    • WHA does not retain Donors’ credit card data. 

    • Donors are strongly encouraged to make all credit card donations on-line via WHA’s website at: woodstockhousingalliance.org 

  • WHA also accepts gifts as direct transfers of Qualified Charitable Distributions from a Donor’s Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) and as recommended grants from Donor Advised Funds (“DAF”). 

  • Donors may make grants from a DAF by designating the grant recipient as Woodstock Housing Alliance, PO Box 1038, Woodstock, NY 12498. If a Donor intends to utilize funds from a DAF for a pledge or multiple grants, then the Donor should sign a non-binding letter of intent stating as follows:

    • I/We intend to recommend a grant from the (name of Donor Advised Fund), in the amount of $________________ [during the year 20__/annually for the years 20__-20__]. 

    • Grant recommendations are subject to the approval of [name of sponsor of Donor Advised Fund]. This expression of intent does not create a legally enforceable obligation. 

  • Other Donations Gifts of Securities: WHA will accept gifts of readily marketable securities. WHA does not accept gifts of securities that are not readily marketable, including securities subject to resale restrictions under the securities laws or otherwise, without the approval of the Board of Directors. 

    • If you choose to send your gift by utilizing securities, please email our Development Department, at info@woodstockhousingalliance.org for the instructions you need to make your stock donation.

Gifts of Real Estate: Gifts of real estate may include developed property, undeveloped property, or property subject to a prior life interest. All gifts of real estate must be approved by the WHA Board of Directors and may be subject to legal review, assessment of ability to obtain permits for development, environmental review, title review and insurance, independent appraisal and other relevant factors. WHA may ask the Donor to incur some or all of the costs associated with the donation of the property. WHA will have discretion to determine whether it will develop or resell the property. 

Other Gifts-in-Kind: Gifts-in-kind (art objects, equipment, home fixtures and furnishings, etc.) may be accepted by WHA in its discretion if directly related to its mission or if the items are readily marketable, do not involve expense (such as for storage or insurance) disproportionate to the use or disposition of the gift or may be sold by WHA without restriction. 

Gifts of Professional Services: WHA may accept donations of professional services gratis or at pro bono rates. 

Tax Treatment of In-Kind Gifts: When gifts-in-kind are given to WHA with the intent of the Donor receiving a tax deduction, it shall be the responsibility of the Donor, not WHA, to secure an appraiser and obtain an appraisal of the gift for tax purposes. Donors should seek tax advice on the deductibility of gratis or pro bono professional services.

Responsibility for IRS Filings Upon Sale of Gifts Items: WHA is responsible for filing IRS Form 8282, (Donee Information Return (Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Donated Property)) upon the sale or disposition of any donated property (other than marketable securities) sold within 2 years of receipt by WHA when the charitable deduction value of the item is more than $5,000. Form 8282 must be filed within 125 days after WHA disposed of the donated property. 

Social Impact Investing: WHA from time to time offers Donors the opportunity to participate in social impact investing to support specific WHA projects. Information on these programs can be found on WHA’s website at woodstockhousingalliance.org/loans. 

Testamentary and Planned Giving: A donor may name WHA as a recipient of a charitable bequest in his or her last will and testament. Planned Giving may also include, Life Insurance, Irrevocable or Revocable Trusts, Life Estates, Charitable Remainder Annuity and Unitrusts and Charitable Lead Trusts (each a “Planned Giving Plan”). The Executive Director will review all Planned Giving Plans and submit them to the Board of Directors for approval. Each prospective Donor entering into a Planned Giving Plan is urged to seek the advice of his or her independent legal counsel prior to entering into a Planned Giving Plan with WHA. It shall not be required that all Planned Giving Plans be accepted. 

Solicitation, Acknowledgement and Donor Recognition Solicitation: WHA maintains its own in-house Development Department and will not compensate, whether through commissions, finders’ fees, or other means, any third party for directing a gift or a donor to WHA. 

Acknowledgment: All gifts, regardless of value, form, or stipulations, shall be promptly acknowledged by WHA with a letter. WHA will observe IRS rules with respect to gifts of $250 or more. 

Recognition: Gifts will be recognized within the policies established for specific campaigns, such as Supporters Circle, Sustainers Circle, Leadership Circle, naming opportunities, and others designated by WHA. WHA will respect a Donor’s wish to remain anonymous. 

Confidentiality: WHA shall maintain confidentiality concerning all correspondence regarding contributions, gift records, and other data on Donors and prospective donors, and will ensure that this information is used on a need-to-know-basis only for the support of development for WHA. WHA will not sell, share, or trade Donors’ names or personal information with any other entity. WHA maintains a Written Information Security Policy covering Donor data in accordance with New York State law.