Donation Policy

SAM Ministries (SAMM) is a Washington nonprofit corporation exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. SAMM’s EIN is 91-5696512. SAMM only accepts donations that will further its charitable, religious, and educational purposes, as defined under the Code.

The purpose of this Donation Policy (Policy) is to create a set of uniform guidelines for SAMM and to inform its donors of the types of donations the organization will accept. The goal is to ensure the organization does not accept any gift that may create real or perceived risks or conflicts to the organization.

Types of Accepted Gifts

Cash, check, credit card, direct ACH bank or wire transfers, real estate, vehicles, stock, cryptocurrency, wills and bequests, estate gifts, Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, life insurance, corporate matching and in-kind donations. Donations may be made through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Donations of stocks and cryptocurrencies will be converted to cash within a reasonable time after receipt.

SAMM will seek the advice of legal counsel prior to accepting the following donations:

• Gifts of stock or other securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements.
• Restricted gifts, or donations encumbered by gift instruments or other agreements.
• Donations involving potential conflicts of interest.
• Donations naming SAMM as trustee, or requiring SAMM to act in any fiduciary capacity.
• Gifts of real property (described in more detail below).

Unrestricted Gifts

SAMM prioritizes receiving primarily unrestricted gifts – that is, gifts made with no restriction or preference expressed for a particular program usage. This approach is consistent with the organization’s Section 501(c)(3) status and particularly its legal obligation to retain control and discretion over charitable resources, and to use them in furtherance of the organization’s tax-exempt purposes.

Preferred-Use Gifts

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may determine in its sole discretion to permit donors to indicate a preference that their donations be utilized for specific purposes (e.g., identified ministry goals, for a particular large purchase or to support a specific program initiative). SAMM may also fundraise for specific programs.

Consistent with Section 501(c)(3), these donations always remain subject to the organization’s control and final discretion. SAMM’s fundraising solicitations will indicate that the organization retains control and discretion over the use of funds at all times and funds may be used for different ministry purposes than specifically designated. The following disclaimer should be implemented in fundraising materials, receipts, and other donor communications:

“This contribution is made with the understanding that the organization has complete control and discretion over the donated funds, including the right to use such funds for other purposes consistent with its tax-exempt mission.

Any verbal communication with donors or potential donors may not be inconsistent with this disclaimer language.

Restricted Gifts

At the Board’s sole discretion, SAMM may accept donor-restricted gifts. All restricted gifts must be memorialized by a written gift instrument or agreement between the donor and SAMM. This written gift instrument must: (a) clearly identify all restrictions on the funds; (b) be consistent with SAMM’s exempt purpose and mission; (c) permit the organization to broaden or alter the gift restrictions in its sole discretion if the original purpose no longer meets the needs or serves the organization’s mission, unless the Board expressly decides otherwise at the time of the donation agreement; and (d) be approved by the Board in writing.

SAMM will decline restricted gifts which are too restrictive, under $10,000, are not in furtherance of the organization’s exempt purpose, or which have the potential to become costly or burdensome to administer, unless the Board determines an exception should be made.

All restricted gifts will have an approved rate of 15% charged to support SAMM’s general operations and associated program expenses. This applies to gifts from foundations, corporations, and individuals. SAMM reserves the right to decline gifts that do not allow for such administrative overhead allocations.

Real Estate

No gift of real estate will be accepted without prior approval of the Board of Directors based on advice from legal counsel and a qualified independent appraisal.

Criteria for acceptance of real property include:

• The property is expected to be marketable within six months.
• Any restrictions, reservations, easements, or other limitations associated with the property are known and minimal.
• Any carrying costs, which may include insurance, property taxes, mortgages, or notes, associated with the property are known and deemed manageable.
• The appraisal/survey reflects that that property is sound and in acceptable condition for resale.
• The cost of obtaining necessary documents and fees associated with risk assessment and remediation studies; property taxes; maintenance, management and insurance appraisals; title reports and legal fees will be borne by the donor.

Recordkeeping

The organization will maintain records regarding all unrestricted and restricted gifts, including copies of gift instruments and accurate accounting showing the amounts and nature of such gifts.

Power to Amend

Unless otherwise approved in advance by the Board, the organization will reserve the right, in any document or instrument that restricts the use, or reserves a preference for the use, of a gift, to broaden or alter the purpose of the gift should it be determined in the future that the original purpose of the gift no longer meets the needs or serves the mission of the organization.