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Unfortunately, due to IRS restrictions, Reliant cannot accept non-monetary/gift-in-kind donations from a donor that are ultimately intended for the personal use of a Reliant missionary or another specific person. Reliant missionaries may accept gifts-in-kind only as personal gifts. Donors are not issued tax receipts, and Reliant will not acknowledge the gift.
Gift Cards
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Gift Cards That May Be Kept By Missionary
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Gift cards given to a Reliant missionary may be kept if they are $100 or less and meet all of these attributes: |
- The person/donor has not already given "eligible" gift cards totaling $200 in that year. (If $200 in "eligible" gift cards were already received from that same person during that year, all subsequent gifts cards from that person/donor must be turned in to Reliant.)
- The Reliant missionary has not already received the maximum of $500 per year in gift cards (excluding family members/close friend donors)
- Gift card was not given in direct response to a fundraising request or solicitation from the missionary.
- Was given at typical giving occasions – Christmas, birthdays, special events, etc.
- Was given by a Reliant ministry partner as a show of affection, goodwill or appreciation towards the missionary
"ELIGIBLE"
A gift card that meets all the above criteria and therefore may be kept by the Reliant missionary.
Goodwill Gift vs Ministry Gift
The following are examples of how some common attributes that might demonstrate affection and goodwill gifts (which might be kept), versus a ministry motivation for giving the gift card (which should be sent to Reliant)
Affection/Goodwill/Appreciation Gift | Ministry Gift |
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Irregularly, random | Monthly, quarterly |
Only at typical gift giving occasions (Christmas, birthday, child graduation, etc.) | Other times (particularly if relates to a ministry event or service performed) |
Amount too small to provide meaningful financial support for recipient | Substantial amount |
No request made for gift | Response to fundraising request for support |
Long-term relationship or family | Recent acquaintance while doing deputized fundraising |
Accompanied by letter or card expressing affection or care for missionary or family member | Accompanied by letter expressing appreciation for their ministry work |
Family Member Who is Also a Donor
If the gift card is given to the staff by a donor who is also a family member or a very close friend, and the donor (family member/close friend) would likely have given the same gift card regardless of the Reliant missionary’s employment in ministry, then the gift card may be kept by the employee without submitting it to Reliant and does not fall under this policy.
Gift Cards Given by a Missionary’s Local Church or Another Church/Ministry
- A gift card $10 and under when given by their local church or another church/ministry may be kept by the missionary.
However, if the local church or ministry gives the missionary multiple gift cards that are each $10 and under, all of these gift cards must all be turned in to Reliant.
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A family member sends you a $200 gift card as a birthday gift, and has traditionally done so every year including the time before the missionary began employment with Reliant. This gift card may be kept. (A good rule of thumb question to ask is "Would this person still be giving me this gift card, even if I did not work in ministry or as a missionary?") |
Gift Cards That Must Be Turned In To Reliant
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Gift Cards given to a missionary must be turned in to Reliant if they meet any one of these attributes: |
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Treatment of Gift Cards Turned In To Reliant
All gift cards that are turned in to Reliant by missionaries will be recorded as a charitable contribution to Reliant under the category of "anonymous donor".
- The contribution will be designated and credited to the MTD account for which the missionary is responsible for (who received the gift card).
- The standard applicable administration fee will be applied to the gift (usually 12%).
- The gift card will be kept on file to be later used by the Reliant office for ministry purchases in the normal course of business.
As with all Reliant policies, if a missionary has any questions they can ask their supervisor or contact the Reliant office.
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- See Gift Card Policy
Mission Trips
Reliant donors may not be solicited for contributions to other organizations or for other ministry purposes (such as mission trips through local churches). Reliant employed field staff and associate field staff are required to raise all funds for any mission trip through Reliant, even if the mission trip is sponsored by their local church or another ministry organization. Mission trips are a standard part of their Reliant ministry involvement and therefore considered a part of their employment or, for associate staff, a part of their volunteer ministry work. This applies to all mission trips - both domestic and international.
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