Gift Acceptance Policy
Introduction and Purpose
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MI) accepts gifts that support and advance its mission. All gifts are subject to review by MI’s Gift Acceptance Committee (GAC), which includes the President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Development, and General Counsel. The President may designate alternative staff members to fill any role on the Committee other than his or her own.
MI will not accept any gift that would pose a substantial risk of violating its corporate charter or its status as a tax-exempt organization under state and federal law.
Any donor considering a major or estate gift to MI should seek assistance from qualified legal, tax, and financial advisors.
Types of Gifts Accepted
| Cash | Donors may contribute cash in the form of checks (payable to Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, Inc.), credit card, or wire transfer. |
| Securities | Donors may contribute marketable securities to an account maintained by our J.P. Morgan brokerage account. |
| Cryptocurrency | Donors may contribute cryptocurrency through The Giving Block. Tax forms, when required, will be issued to the donor from The Giving Block and signed upon request by an MI executive. |
| Bequest | Donors may name MI as a beneficiary in their wills or trusts. The GAC will review all restricted bequests prior to acceptance. |
| Retirement Plan or Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation | Donors may name MI as a beneficiary of their retirement plans or life insurance policies. Such designations will be recorded and acknowledged as gifts only when they become irrevocable. Irrevocable designations due in the future will be recorded at their present value when the gift becomes irrevocable. |
| Charitable Gift Annuity | A charitable gift annuity is an irrevocable transfer by a donor of cash or other property in exchange for MI’s commitment to pay a fixed amount of the lifetime of one or two beneficiaries. The minimum gift level we accept is $10,000, and we generally do not issue gift annuities where the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant exceeds 20 years. Exceptions will be considered by the GAC on a case-by-case basis. |
| Charitable Remainder Trust, Charitable Lead Trust | These irrevocable trusts provide for and maintain two sets of beneficiaries. The donor determines whether to donate an interest in either the income or the principal, and retains the other part. Donors may designate MI as a beneficiary of a charitable remainder or lead trust, subject to the approval of the GAC. MI cannot accept appointment as a trustee of a charitable remainder or lead trust. |
| Tangible Personal Property | MI does not typically accept tangible personal property. Offers of personal property will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the GAC. In all cases, the donor will be responsible for the cost of appraisal. |
| Real Estate | MI does not accept gifts of real estate. |
| In-Kind Contribution | MI may accept in-kind gifts, such as pro bono or reduced rate professional services, on a case-by-case basis. Such gifts will be reviewed by the GAC. |
Acknowledgment of Gifts
| Gift Confirmation | MI timely acknowledges gifts and provides proper substantiation in accordance with IRS guidelines. |
| Gift Value | Except for gifts of cash, MI does not ascribe any value on any receipt or other form of gift substantiation. Under IRS guidelines, the donor is responsible for valuing all gifts other than cash. |
Other Provisions
| Anonymous Contributions | MI respects the wishes of donors who wish to remain anonymous. In the event of an anonymous gift, only staff members with a strict need to know will be made aware of the identity of the donor. Donor identity may also be made in response to valid legal process. |
| Restrictions | MI prefers unrestricted contributions in support of our overall mission and programs. We may also accept contributions with restrictions identified by a donor, if approved by the GAC. Restricted gifts will be used in a manner consistent with the donor’s written interests and intentions. |