The letter must explain who is gifting the money, where the donor's funds are coming from and the relationship between the donor and the recipient. A gift letter from the donor verifies that the money is a gift that does not need to be repaid versus a loan which would need to be repaid.A short letter like this sample gift letter will cover all of the requirements your lender needs. A gift letter for a mortgage shows your lender that you don't need to repay gift money toward your down payment. Use our mortgage gift letter Using gift money for a down payment is a common practice that can help make homeownership more accessible. The purpose of this letter is to document that the money does not need to be repaid as well as the donor's name, contract information, and relationship to you. Use these stepbystep instructions for accepting a cash downpayment gift on a home, including a readytouse mortgage gift letter template. City of Alameda Down Payment Assistance Loan Application. PURCHASE PRICE AND TERMS OF SALE Check and complete as applicable.