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Donation Donor Agreement

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Donation Donor Agreement

This Donation Donor Agreement (the "Agreement") is made effective as of , by and between Donor Name: ("Donor"), and Recipient Name: ("Recipient").

Recitals

WHEREAS, Donor wishes to contribute certain property or funds to Recipient for charitable, educational or other beneficial purposes; and

WHEREAS, Recipient is a lawful entity qualified to receive and hold charitable donations and agrees to accept and use the donation subject to the terms and restrictions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the donation.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions apply: "Donation" means the gift described in Section 2. "Restricted Gift" means any donation made subject to specific use limitations imposed by Donor. "Acceptance" means Recipient's formal acknowledgment of receipt and intended use in compliance with this Agreement.

2. Donation; Description; Value

Donor hereby irrevocably donates to Recipient the property or funds described below (the "Donation"):

The parties acknowledge that Donor is solely responsible for determining and documenting the fair market value for tax or reporting purposes unless Recipient independently prepares a valuation. Donor is responsible for obtaining any appraisal required by applicable law.

3. Restrictions and Purpose

Is this donation a restricted gift?

Recipient shall use any Restricted Gift only for the stated purpose. If Recipient determines, in good faith, that the stated purpose becomes impracticable, Recipient will notify Donor and, where practicable, seek a mutually agreeable modification in accordance with Section 11 (Amendments).

4. Delivery and Transfer of Title

Donor will deliver the Donation to Recipient at the address designated in Section 12 (Notices & Addresses). Title to tangible property shall transfer to Recipient upon delivery and acceptance. For monetary donations, Donor shall transfer funds by the method specified below.

5. Acknowledgment and Receipt

Recipient shall provide Donor with a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the Donation describing the Donation and indicating whether any goods or services were provided in return. Such acknowledgment shall state if Recipient values the Donation for tax purposes; Recipient makes no representation as to Donor's tax deductibility.

6. Representations and Warranties

Donor represents and warrants that Donor has good and marketable title to the Donation, free of any liens or encumbrances, and has full right and authority to transfer the Donation to Recipient. Recipient represents and warrants that it is a validly existing organization with the authority to accept the Donation and to carry out the uses set forth in this Agreement.

7. Tax Treatment

Donor acknowledges that Recipient does not provide tax advice and that Donor is solely responsible for determining the tax consequences of the Donation. Recipient shall, upon request, provide such documentation as may be required by law to substantiate the Donation.

8. Confidentiality and Publicity

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Recipient may publicly acknowledge the Donation and use Donor's name in publications and donor lists. If Donor requires confidentiality, Donor must so indicate below and provide written details; Recipient will use reasonable efforts to honor such request consistent with law.

9. Compliance with Law

Each party shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in performing its obligations under this Agreement. Recipient shall use the Donation in a manner consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements applicable to charitable organizations.

10. Indemnification

Donor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Recipient from any losses, claims, liabilities or expenses arising out of any breach of Donor's representations, including claims relating to title or transfer of the Donation. Recipient shall indemnify Donor against liabilities arising from Recipient's gross negligence or willful misconduct in the administration of the Donation.

11. Amendments; Waiver

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by both parties. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right will operate as a waiver of that right.

12. Notices & Addresses

All notices to the parties shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below by hand, certified mail (return receipt requested), or overnight courier, and will be effective upon receipt.

13. Governing Law

This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below without regard to conflict of law principles.

14. Entire Agreement; Severability

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

15. Counterparts; Execution

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one instrument. Execution and delivery of this Agreement by electronic means (including electronic signature) will have the same force and effect as an original signature.

Additional Provisions

Donor Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Recipient Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Donation Donor Agreement Is and when it applies

A Donation Donor Agreement documents the terms under which an individual or organization transfers a charitable gift to a recipient organization. It defines the donor, recipient, description of the donated property or funds, any conditions or restrictions, effective date, tax acknowledgement language, and signature blocks. For nonprofit compliance and auditable records, the agreement records donor intent, donation purpose, and any reserved rights such as revocation, return, or use restrictions.

Why a clear Donation Donor Agreement matters

A written agreement reduces ambiguity about use, recognition, and tax substantiation; it protects donor intent and the recipient’s fiduciary duties while making recordkeeping and reporting consistent with IRS and state charity regulations.

Why a clear Donation Donor Agreement matters

Who commonly completes a Donation Donor Agreement

Organizations and individuals use this agreement whenever a donation exceeds informal thresholds, involves restricted-purpose gifts, or transfers non-cash property requiring provenance and valuation.

  • Nonprofit development staff completing acknowledgment and restriction details for stewardship and audit
  • Donors (individuals, foundations, corporations) documenting intended use and tax substantiation
  • Legal or finance teams reviewing conditions, donor restrictions, and return/revocation clauses

Proper use clarifies obligations for both parties, supports IRS substantiation rules for charitable contributions, and reduces disputes over restricted or conditional gifts.

Essential elements to include in a professional Donation Donor Agreement

A complete agreement combines identity, description of the gift, purpose and restrictions, acknowledgment and tax language, signatures, and an effective date. Include clauses that address gifts of property, appraisals, and conditions for revocation or return to avoid later disputes.

Donor Identification

Full legal name and entity type for the donor and authorized contact information to establish attribution and delivery of tax acknowledgements.

Gift Description

Precise description of funds, real or personal property, or securities; include quantity, serial numbers, or lot identifiers when applicable.

Use Restrictions

Explicit restricted purpose language with duration and permitted uses; avoid vague phrasing that can make enforcement difficult.

Tax Acknowledgment

Recipient’s statement about deductible amount, whether goods or services were provided in exchange, and standard IRS substantiation wording.

Valuation and Appraisal

For noncash gifts, state who is responsible for valuation and attach appraisal documentation when required by IRS rules.

Signatures and Dates

Signature blocks for donor and authorized representative of the recipient with printed names, titles, and execution dates.

Required data fields and records to capture

Donor name: Full legal name
Recipient name: Organization legal name
Gift details: Type and description
Effective date: MM/DD/YYYY format
Tax language: Acknowledgment statement
Authorized signatures: Signer name and title

Step-by-step: How to complete a Donation Donor Agreement

Follow these four practical steps to prepare, review, and execute the agreement so it meets tax, legal, and internal compliance needs.

  • 01
    Prepare details: Collect donor identity, gift description, and purpose
  • 02
    Draft terms: State restrictions, valuation responsibility, and conditions
  • 03
    Review internally: Have finance or legal review tax and restriction language
  • 04
    Execute: Sign, date, and distribute executed copies to parties

How to configure your online completion workflow

Set up fields, routing, and authentication to match your internal approvals and donor verification needs.

Field Configuration
Signature fields Required for each signer
Date fields Auto-fill with MM/DD/YYYY
Conditional fields Show only when donor indicates noncash gift
Signer authentication Email link or SMS code

Where to send and how to file the executed agreement

Routing executed agreements to the right parties and filing locations ensures compliance with tax, audit, and stewardship records.

  • Recipient records: Store executed agreement in secure donor file
  • Donor copy: Provide signed PDF or printed copy to donor
  • Finance retention: Attach valuation and appraisal documents for IRS audit
  • Board or legal: File restricted-gift approvals where required

Digital signing options and delivery methods

Choose delivery and authentication methods that match donation sensitivity and your internal controls.

  • Email link: Standard method for most donors
  • SMS code: Stronger signer authentication option
  • In-person kiosk: Useful at events and fundraisers

For HIPAA-protected donor data or sensitive asset transfers, require stronger authentication and confirm secure storage and access controls.

Timelines and deadlines to track

Monitor execution timing for tax substantiation, reporting, and any conditional timing tied to the gift.

Tax acknowledgment timing:

Provide written acknowledgement before donor files taxes when requested

Appraisal attachment:

Attach qualified appraisal before filing if required by IRS

Conditional period:

Document any time-limited restrictions and renewal terms

Retention start:

Retention begins on execution date

Reporting deadlines:

Report noncash gifts on Form 8283 when applicable

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing this agreement

  • Using vague restriction language that makes donor intent unenforceable
  • Failing to attach required appraisals for high-value noncash gifts
  • Omitting signature authority verification for organizational donors
  • Not retaining an auditable, tamper-evident record of execution

Risks and legal consequences of errors

Tax denial risk: Donor may lose deduction if substantiation fails
IRS penalties: Failing to file required forms can trigger penalties under IRC §6721
Breach claims: Ambiguous restrictions increase litigation risk
Reputational harm: Public disputes over use can damage trust
Privacy obligations: Improper PHI handling can violate HIPAA (45 CFR §164.502)
Recordkeeping failures: Loss of records undermines audit defense and statutory defenses

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot for donation agreements

Compare starting prices and key capabilities when choosing an eSignature provider for Donation Donor Agreement workflows; signNow is listed first per vendor-comparison standards.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Donation Donor Agreements

Answers to common legal, tax, and execution questions when preparing or signing a Donation Donor Agreement.


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