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Guidelines for Acceptance of In-kind Gifts

Guideline
Purpose: 

The following statement provides guidelines for accepting on behalf of the University in-kind (non-cash) gifts or charitable contributions.

Applies to: 

All faculty, staff, and units of the University of Kansas.

Campus: 
Lawrence
Policy Statement: 

Before accepting on behalf of the University in-kind (non-cash) gifts or charitable contributions, administrative heads of University units should contact the Office of the General Counsel. Depending on the nature of the gift, Kansas Board of Regents policy on the acceptance of gifts may impose particular requirements, and there may be other legal responsibilities required of donees by State and/or Federal law. See esp. IRS Publication 1771, “Charitable Contributions – Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements.”

The Counsel’s office can also provide assistance in preparation of an appropriate deed of gift documenting the transfer of ownership and the purpose or use for which the gift is intended. In some cases it may be necessary to specify whether certain rights, for example copyright, are to be retained by the donor, and whether the donor is to receive, quid pro quo, any goods or services from the University in exchange for the in-kind donation. Note that the University, as donee, never estimates or assigns monetary value to non-cash contributions.

Contact: 

Office of the General Counsel
University of Kansas
245 Strong Hall
785-864-3276

Approved by: 
Office of the General Counsel
Approved on: 
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Effective on: 
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Review Cycle: 
Annual (As Needed)
Keywords: 
donation, gifts, charitable contributions
Change History: 

10/22/2020: Updated link to IRS Publication 1771.

01/31/2017: Updated link to Gift in Kind donation form.

12/10/2014: Policy formatting cleanup (e.g., bolding, spacing).

01/17/2014: Link added to KU Gift In Kind Donation Form.

04/02/2009: Reviewed for accuracy; no changes made. Link added to policy on Donations of Tangible and Real Property.

Financial Categories: 
Donations
Operational Categories: 
Donations

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