Vermont Acknowledgment by Charitable or Educational Institution of Receipt of Gift is an important legal process that charitable or educational organizations located in Vermont must adhere to when they receive gifts from donors. This acknowledgment serves as a vital documentation for both the institution and the donor, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with state regulations. In Vermont, there are mainly two types of acknowledgments that charitable or educational institutions use when acknowledging the receipt of gifts, namely: the written acknowledgment and the contemporaneous written acknowledgment. 1. Written Acknowledgment: The written acknowledgment is typically used when the gift received by the institution does not exceed $250. According to Vermont laws, the charitable or educational organization must provide a written acknowledgment to the donor for any monetary or non-monetary contribution exceeding $75. This acknowledgment should include several key elements, such as: — Name of the organization: Clearly state the legal name of the charitable or educational institution, along with any other commonly recognized names. — Donation details: Describe the nature of the gift, whether it is a cash donation, in-kind contribution, securities, property, or any other valuable item. — Date of gift: Indicate the precise date when the gift was received by the institution. — Donor information: Include the full name and address of the donor, as well as their tax identification number if applicable. — Statement of no goods or services provided: If the donation is made without receiving any goods or services from the organization, explicitly state that the donor did not receive anything of value in return for their gift. — Tax-exempt status: Mention the organization's tax-exempt status under relevant sections of the Internal Revenue Code and provide its Employer Identification Number (EIN). — Statement regarding non-deductible benefits: If the donor received any goods or services with an estimated value, disclose this information and determine the deductible amount of their contribution. 2. Contemporaneous Written Acknowledgment: For any donations exceeding $250, Vermont law requires the charitable or educational institution to provide a contemporaneous written acknowledgment to the donor. This acknowledgment should contain all the elements mentioned above in the written acknowledgment, along with additional details such as: — Description of non-cash contributions: If the gift received is a non-cash contribution (property, securities, etc.), provide a detailed description of the item(s) received. — Evaluation statement: Include a statement stating whether the institution provided the donor with any goods or services or any intangible benefits in exchange for their contribution, along with an estimated value of such benefits. By following the Vermont Acknowledgment guidelines, charitable or educational institutions can maintain compliance and foster a positive relationship with their donors. This ensures transparency and supports the institution's reputation as a responsible and accountable recipient of charitable contributions.