Donation drive

[westmanfarrier]

Does anyone here have any experience with a donation drive. I want to put together a donation drive this season to help the county's animal control officer I work with. Budget cuts have left them pretty short on the horse care side and they need a lot of extra's beyond feed and shelter.

I want to collect the easy stuff (blankets, lead ropes, halters, etc) to donate to make it easy on donators as well as the ACO, no need for her to take work time to collect the stuff. I am willing to do the leg work.

Another thing I told her I would do is if people want to give $$ I would give dewormer, thrush remedy, wound treatment, lice treatment, etc. at my wholesale price. If money donations go directly to the sheriff's office it goes to a general fund, so not necessarily to the horses, we need to donate items to them then the horses will get it. How am I going to collect $$? Should I just pay taxes on it and buy the items through my business? I've not done something like this before.

[IrisGreen]

I have no idea about the money end of it but I do know I have seen ad's on Craigslist for donations for horse rescues or riding camps. They ask for blankets, buckets and things but I think they are a 501 non-profit so they can also give you a receipt for tax deductions.

I'm sure people would be willing to donate but it would make it really worth there while if they can get receipts for tax deductions. I don't know how to go about that, maybe visit a local tax office and ask about how that is done or ask the animal shelter if they give out receipts for tax deductions when people donate then set up something so they can give you receipts to give to the donators or something.

Sorry I'm of little help. I think it's a great thing your doing and I'm sure you will make it work for the horses. Let us know how it's going.

[westmanfarrier]

I think that a thank you letter with what you donated and the appx value is adequate for the IRS. It is what I get from some of the other places I donate. It is the cash side I am not sure how to handle. What I am thinking is my client can 'buy' something from me (at cost) and donate it at the same time. I'd still be stuck with income tax and sales tax however as it would have to go on my books. This could be part of my donation though.

[IrisGreen]

hmmm, yeah I don't know. I can't think of a way to get around you paying sales and income taxes on the items....Can you give a reciept for the cash, then buy the item and donate it to the shelter and then take it as a donation on your buisness taxes? I mean, your getting money donated to you as income but then donating the items purchased to someone else so you should be able to take that on your taxes too so you would get back the taxes you are out...right? Or does that make since?

[westmanfarrier]

hmmm, yeah I don't know. I can't think of a way to get around you paying sales and income taxes on the items....Can you give a reciept for the cash, then buy the item and donate it to the shelter and then take it as a donation on your buisness taxes? I mean, your getting money donated to you as income but then donating the items purchased to someone else so you should be able to take that on your taxes too so you would get back the taxes you are out...right? Or does that make since?

I hear what you are saying in regards to federal income tax, it would come off my AGI. In my state, however, I am still responsible for the sales tax and the wonderful B/O tax which is based on gross receipts, no deductions. I actually pay state B/O tax on the money I have set aside to pay federal tax! Gotta love it.

[Painted Horse]

Can't you just collect the money. Keep it seperate. Not in your business account. Periodically just order the supplies and have them sent to who ever you are donating to. Do not run them through the business. No income tax for you and no sales tax.

I just can't imagine there is a huge mark up in purchasing wormer and other supplies from some of the mail order/online stores. Take the money that is donated and exchange it for a cashiers check and send it off with the order to the suppliers.

[westmanfarrier]

I am a retailer. If I buy through someone else I have to pay their markup, might as well pay 8% sales tax.

[Bessie13]

We just did something similar but different for our local horse rescue. We had many, and I mean many retailers from our area donate goods and services. We also planned a yard sale (for those goods that were donated but gently used), and had a silent auction for the other items. Added to this we did a "Poker Run" at the local state park. We charged $25.00 per horse and that came with one poker card. If they wanted an additional card we charged $15.00. We had about 50 horses show up. Altogether we raised about $2,000. In the grand scheme of things, that may not sound like much, but it is something and everything counts. As you well know.

Some examples. The local equine dentist, donated a dental visit. A horse physic, donated a reading. (That was kind of neat.) We had local feed stores and tack stores donate gift certificates. Also, a lot of discontinued items or clearance items were donated. Lots of people brought gently used items that they no longer needed. We had a group of artists donate jewelry and various other art works. Many hand made items. We had a biothane bridle maker, donate a beautiful bridle.

Some of these items were of course used as prizes for best hands, and many were auctioned off. We had a good day, everyone enjoyed the ride and friendly atmosphere. Best of all, it was all for the horses.

Don't know if this helps you any, but good luck with your fund raising project and keep us posted. Oh, we advertised through internet sites and word of mouth, as well as flyers in many feed and tack stores.

[Clarzoo]

I don't know much about the money and taxes- but I could see holding a fun show (horse show) or perhaps a concert (with a musucian donating their time?) where the entry fee or admission is horse supplies, feed, hay, etc... If it were a show you could ask for a supply donation for each class entered.

[miatapony]

you can set up something like a paypal account in the ACO for horses name and have the money go into that too can you see if your company that you buy from is willing to donate some stuff to you for this ?

[westmanfarrier]

you can set up something like a paypal account in the ACO for horses name and have the money go into that too can you see if your company that you buy from is willing to donate some stuff to you for this ?

Checked into that, Paypal takes 5%.

[westmanfarrier]

We just did something similar but different for our local horse rescue. We had many, and I mean many retailers from our area donate goods and services. We also planned a yard sale (for those goods that were donated but gently used), and had a silent auction for the other items. Added to this we did a "Poker Run" at the local state park. We charged $25.00 per horse and that came with one poker card. If they wanted an additional card we charged $15.00. We had about 50 horses show up. Altogether we raised about $2,000. In the grand scheme of things, that may not sound like much, but it is something and everything counts. As you well know.

Some examples. The local equine dentist, donated a dental visit. A horse physic, donated a reading. (That was kind of neat.) We had local feed stores and tack stores donate gift certificates. Also, a lot of discontinued items or clearance items were donated. Lots of people brought gently used items that they no longer needed. We had a group of artists donate jewelry and various other art works. Many hand made items. We had a biothane bridle maker, donate a beautiful bridle.

Some of these items were of course used as prizes for best hands, and many were auctioned off. We had a good day, everyone enjoyed the ride and friendly atmosphere. Best of all, it was all for the horses.

Don't know if this helps you any, but good luck with your fund raising project and keep us posted. Oh, we advertised through internet sites and word of mouth, as well as flyers in many feed and tack stores.

Good ideas!

Unfortunately this is not the time of year in the Pacific Northwest to organize trail rides, a bit wet. Here is an example of how things go in this area too: a fund raising poker ride was set up locally, got nixed by another group because they did not have a gambling license. Nice, huh.

[Bessie13]

Oh my. Never even thought of that. Wonder if anyone else has here? Well darn. what about the fun show idea. Have entry fees to be donated money, tack, feed, hay or other supplies. I like that one. Good luck.

[miatapony]

i forgot they take that much sorry ....

[TheBadLands]

I have a lot of stuff I was trying to figure out what to do with..just shoot me some info as to where to ship etc.. (in case i missed it...didn't read the whole thread).. and we'll do what we can.

[IrisGreen]

A poker run requires a gambling license? I didn't know about that, maybe it's just your state or something. I know they have poker runs all the time here with horses on trail rides, bikes, classic cars and even joggers in parks and so on. They always have some kind of Poker run for charity or fund raising around here and I know they don't have a gambling license. My neighbor did a poker run and raffle give away where they sold tickets and had the items donated from local stores. It helped her keep her house and pay medical bills while her husband was recovering from a motorcycle accident.

[WashingtonBay]

Good ideas!

Unfortunately this is not the time of year in the Pacific Northwest to organize trail rides, a bit wet. Here is an example of how things go in this area too: a fund raising poker ride was set up locally, got nixed by another group because they did not have a gambling license. Nice, huh.

There is something that's happened with WA state gambling law.... I saw a few rides advertised this summer where they were trying really hard to say it wasn't a poker ride.

[42many]

I think that a thank you letter with what you donated and the appx value is adequate for the IRS. It is what I get from some of the other places I donate. It is the cash side I am not sure how to handle. What I am thinking is my client can 'buy' something from me (at cost) and donate it at the same time. I'd still be stuck with income tax and sales tax however as it would have to go on my books. This could be part of my donation though.

1) People who donate to an individual or regular business (you) can NOT deduct that donation on their taxes. The donation has to go to a "qualified organization" - the thank you letter they give you is basically to provide for the documentation required by the IRS in order for a person to be allowed their donation deduction.

Therefore, any money they give to you THEY can't deduct.

2) If they were to buy items from you and donate them directly back, they would have to be donating them TO a "qualified organization" (I assume the AC is one?). You could be the gatekeeper but you'd have to have official "thank you letters" available from the AC to hand out for the donations as receipts.

Also, as you pointed out, it would be an actual sale on the part of your business with any associated sales taxes.

3) I don't see why you couldn't just have people donate money directly to YOU personally as a gift (allowable up to the annual exclusion of $13k for 2009), which would mean you wouldn't have it as a sale to your business. Then, you can put the money into your business as a shareholder contribution and the business can buy & donate goods directly to the AC (for a charitable contribution that would roll to your personal tax return). (Please make sure to verify this with your accountant if you wish to do it!)

The downside of this - the people giving you money would NOT be able to take a charitable contribution on their taxes and they'd have to trust that you were doing what you say with the money.

[WashingtonBay]

Hi, may i check how to open a mobile blood donation drive? anyone here has done before? can share the experience? and roughly how long planning must be done?? thanks

Hi and welcome feidaft.... though I don't think you'll find expert advice on that here...

[westmanfarrier]

There is something that's happened with WA state gambling law.... I saw a few rides advertised this summer where they were trying really hard to say it wasn't a poker ride.

Yeah, they are called 'prize rides' now. It is a felony to play online poker in Washington state too.

I blame our governor, who of course has no ties to the reservation gambling operations....except for all their campaign contributions.

[westmanfarrier]

1) People who donate to an individual or regular business (you) can NOT deduct that donation on their taxes. The donation has to go to a "qualified organization" - the thank you letter they give you is basically to provide for the documentation required by the IRS in order for a person to be allowed their donation deduction.

Therefore, any money they give to you THEY can't deduct.

2) If they were to buy items from you and donate them directly back, they would have to be donating them TO a "qualified organization" (I assume the AC is one?). You could be the gatekeeper but you'd have to have official "thank you letters" available from the AC to hand out for the donations as receipts.

Also, as you pointed out, it would be an actual sale on the part of your business with any associated sales taxes.

3) I don't see why you couldn't just have people donate money directly to YOU personally as a gift (allowable up to the annual exclusion of $13k for 2009), which would mean you wouldn't have it as a sale to your business. Then, you can put the money into your business as a shareholder contribution and the business can buy & donate goods directly to the AC (for a charitable contribution that would roll to your personal tax return). (Please make sure to verify this with your accountant if you wish to do it!)

The downside of this - the people giving you money would NOT be able to take a charitable contribution on their taxes and they'd have to trust that you were doing what you say with the money.

Donations are simply being collected at my location, but being donated to Skagit County Animal Control, which is qualified. We also now have permission from to solicit for donations. We really want to make sure everything is on the up and up.

[Bessie13]

Just a thought? Can you "raffle" off goods and services?
Another thought. In June our local horse rescue held a yard sale. They had a lot of donated items thoughout the year. We went early in the morning, and helped clean and set up tables and place everythinhg out. We didn't charge anything for any of the items. We told everyone it was for the horses. We let the customers determine what they thought each item was worth. As predicted, some paid very little, but many gave generously. All in all in I think it was a pretty good day. The HPAF (www.hpaf.org (http://www.hpaf.org)) got rid of many items that were taking up space, and had a good day in donations when all was done.

[westmanfarrier]

Just a thought? Can you "raffle" off goods and services?
Another thought. In June our local horse rescue held a yard sale. They had a lot of donated items thoughout the year. We went early in the morning, and helped clean and set up tables and place everythinhg out. We didn't charge anything for any of the items. We told everyone it was for the horses. We let the customers determine what they thought each item was worth. As predicted, some paid very little, but many gave generously. All in all in I think it was a pretty good day. The HPAF (www.hpaf.org (http://www.hpaf.org)) got rid of many items that were taking up space, and had a good day in donations when all was done.

Great idea, but brings us back to the cash problem, we need to end up donating goods, or the money goes into a general fund, not necessarily directly to the animals.

[westmanfarrier]

The donation drive is in full go. If anyone on the forum wants to help I am offering products I sell at my cost. You can paypal me money to buy products to help such as thrush medicine, MTG, Nolvasan, dewormer, lice treatment, weight gain supplments, etc.

I have received a number of blankets, halters, and lead ropes from my clients. It is a great start! My plan is to have a whole row of blankets hanging in my shop so the officer can stop by and grab what she needs.

A number of new horses have been coming in. It is really getting bad again. We are also so short on pasture and funding is just not in the budget at the Sheriff's dept.

There are 5 stallions who need to be gelded. The officer has found a vet who will sedate and geld for $150 a piece. Unfortunately it is not in the budget. If anyone would like to sponsor a geld for a horse please PM me and I'll put you in touch with the vet.