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Gift Acceptance Policy — DRAFT

Status: Draft. Counsel review required. Less central for a c6 than a c3, but recommended to govern sponsor and partner contributions cleanly.

1. Purpose

This policy governs the acceptance of gifts, sponsorships, and contributions to the Guild and ensures that all contributions support — and do not compromise — the Guild's mission and independence.

2. Acceptable gifts

The Guild may accept:

  • Cash or cash equivalents (check, ACH, credit card)
  • Sponsor payments (subject to Sponsor Agreement)
  • Tangible personal property useful to Guild operations
  • Securities (publicly traded; closely held requires board approval)
  • In-kind services valued at fair market

3. Restricted and conditional gifts

Restricted gifts must align with the Guild's mission and approved program areas. Restricted gifts that materially constrain Guild independence, curricular content, certification standards, or governance are prohibited.

4. Gifts the Guild will not accept

The Guild will not accept gifts that:

  • Are conditioned on endorsement of a specific product, brand, or operator
  • Would constrain independent curriculum development or ethics decisions
  • Come from sources whose business practices conflict materially with the Guild's published values
  • Carry legal, financial, or reputational risk that outweighs the value

5. Sponsor recognition

Sponsor recognition is structured as qualified sponsorship payments under IRC §513(i). Recognition consists of name, logo, and slogan acknowledgment without:

  • Quantitative or qualitative comparative claims
  • Pricing information
  • Endorsements of the sponsor's products
  • Inducements to purchase

6. Approval

The board will set specific dollar thresholds for gift-approval authority in the financial policies adopted at incorporation. The general framework:

  • Small gifts within the ED signing limit: ED approval
  • Larger gifts above the ED signing limit: ED + Treasurer
  • Restricted gifts or gifts above the full-board threshold: Full board approval

7. Acknowledgment

All gifts are acknowledged in writing within 30 days. The acknowledgment includes that c6 contributions are generally not deductible as charitable donations (though they may be deductible as business expenses, less the lobbying portion).