Case for Written Gift Acceptance Policies

A good case for nonprofits to have Gift Acceptance Policies in place:  

Working in an art museum years ago had its fringe benefits — when one gets frustrated with the daily routine of managing a development office, you can always stroll around the galleries and admire the works of the old masters (my favorite part of the collection). However, one day, I gained a new appreciation for great art and, at the same time, an appreciation for a Director and a Board that had established Gift Acceptance Policies.

As I opened my mail, I came across a three-page very serious letter from a potential donor several hundred miles away who said he had a valuable painting he wanted to donate to the Museum. Wondering why he had selected our Museum to be the recipient of this valuable painting, I eagerly read on. When I reached the third page, I realized why he might have been having trouble “giving it away” when I read that this “valuable work of art” was a painting of Elvis on black velvet.

After my director and I enjoyed our laugh for the day, I said, “Okay, now how do I answer this one?” Fortunately the Museum had a policy in place that all gifts to the collection had to be approved by the Collection Management Committee and must be accompanied by a cash donation to be placed into the endowment fund for upkeep to the collection.

A sticky situation handled effectively thanks to written Gift Acceptance Policies.

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