There is an old proverb that says “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Culturally, we have been taught that we should not question a gift when it is offered to us, but PRC boards that adopt this policy may be looking for problems.

Consider the center that was given 100 brand new cribs and mattresses. While that gift sounds exciting, do you have any idea how much storage room is required to hold 100 cribs and mattresses? Paying for storage of this gift, cost them more than it would have to purchase the cribs out of the general fund!

Then there is the center that was offered a very large financial contribution from the local casino. Though the center surely could have used the money, they decided that they would have to decline the gift.

These scenarios are very real and can happen at any moment. When they do, it can put the board and the Executive Director in a very difficult position.

The best way to avoid being put in this situation is for the board to develop a Gift Acceptance Policy. This policy should include procedures to determine any limits on individuals or organizations from which the organization will accept gifts, the types of property that can be accepted, the form in which donations can be given (i.e. stocks, property, cash), and whether the organization will accept gifts that may contradict or compromise the ministry’s mission and values.