Hello DMS family!
I have donated a number of items and would like to know how to get a donation receipt to use for my taxes.
The items donated:
Jewery - tools, pliers, etc
General - brown paper rolls for dispensers (two boxes)
Ceramics - natural sponges
General - huge, thick, clear trash bags
Creative Arts - acrylic stamps, buttons, misc.
Thank you for any help.
Carla
Hello Carla,
The Chair of the Committee is supposed to sign off on donations & then submit them to finance. Finance then would sent out the “Official” Donation receipt.
That’s my interpretation anyway, I have done a couple in the past 2 weeks.
Right, you can’t just drop stuff off and call it a donation. I know I haven’t been contacted for any donations of trash bags.
@PearceDunlap Your response is not worded in a way that is even remotely encouraging. I didn’t realize that doing something FOR the space required permission. Ok. Now I know. Unfortunately, I don’t always know when I will come along a great deal and need to make a purchase rather quickly (re: auctions, estate sales, craigslist, etc.)
Given your response, I’ll quit looking for things to improve DMS, but please tell all of the people in Ceramics (who are using the awesome sponges I bought and donated) that they should probably not use them since the person donating them didn’t get permission first. Oh, and do the same with Jewelry regarding the expensive tools I donated to them. Oh, and do the same thing for the Creative Arts …
My frustration here is multifaceted. Every time I try to do something helpful, I run into so much red tape, that it makes being helpful a nightmare.
P.S. I have seen the paper towels and trash bags used throughout the space, so at least someone benefited from them even if you weren’t notified in the proper way.
Thanks for the sponges to ceramics! @brendamvilla is ceramics chair, so would need to sign off on donation. Regards
@Anette_Henningson Thank you for your response. I’m not going to worry about it, though.
@KG5BZN, as long as you can get the chair to sign off on it, your still ok.
I would encourage if you or anyone is looking at equipment for the space to please discuss it with the chair via pm or email. It simply CYA. I’m sure @JBluJkt would be willing to sign off one jewelry items.
Sometimes people think they’re “donating” when they’re really just dumping their garbage like stripped screw drivers, broken power tools, mostly used up containers of paint, and other completely useless items. A few bad people ruined it for everyone else so now donations must be approved by the appropriate chairperson. Your perception of red tape is accurate. Don’t make us make rules is what I say a lot but unfortunately we’ve had to make a lot of rules.
This doesn’t mean your donation is any less appreciated, just saying it has to be done according to the rules.
Here’s the rule I was referring to in my previous post. I should’ve included it.
https://dallasmakerspace.org/wiki/Rules_and_Policies#Donations
I’d be glad to sign off on your items for you. Thanks again for the sponges. 
Are we talking about the flex shafts and box of pliers?
Brad Sims, the treasure, is on vacation and would help you with your receipt. I believe he accepted the flex shafts on behalf of blacksmithing as well.
Thanks for thinking of the committees and space! We appreciate it! 
Sorry if that came off poorly with you, I was simply agreeing with Tim that if you wanted a donation receipt you would need a chair to accept the donation.
As others have pointed out, we have had situations where people donated junk like leaving a box of random power bricks and cables on a table in the lobby with a note that said “for electronics”
As a non profit we try to stay on top of our status with the IRS, and that unfortunately means some red tape for donations and the like if you want to be able to write it off instead of just donating it to help the place out.
Well, the past few responses have renewed my faith in humanity. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Agreed. Also, sometimes the chairperson doesn’t want or need another tool. It isn’t because it is trash or not valuable. I made the offer via PM to the chair, and wasn’t needed at that time. I didn’t waste committee time by bringing it in, and I didn’t have to lug it home when it wasn’t needed.
Thanks for the sponges, come find me if you still need this signed off on!
Sorry. I was out of town rock hunting. Yes, please. I will be at DMS tonight and on Friday. If those don’t work, perhaps you can leave it in the ceramics area? Thank you. Carla Bosteder
NVM
I talked to a tax guy and I can’t list the going price on a donation. I have to list the price I paid. For these sponges, an estimate of 40 at a price of $5, would be worth pursuing, but since I found them at an estate sale for $10, there’s really no point. Also, it’s a good FYI for those who donate to non-profits, so I thought I would pass it along.