Developmental Enrichment Centers solicits and accepts gifts for purposed that will help the organization further and fulfill its mission. Developmental Enrichment Centers urges all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts, including the resulting tax and estate planning consequences. The following policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to Developmental Enrichment Centers for the benefit of any of its operations, programs or services. Use of Legal Counsel – Developmental Enrichment Centers will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when appropriate. Review by counsel is recommended for:

A. Gift of securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements.
B. Documents naming Developmental Enrichment Centers as trustee or requiring Developmental Enrichment Centers to act in any fiduciary capacity.
C. Gifts requiring Developmental Enrichment Centers to assume financial or other obligations.
D. Transactions with potential conflict of interest.
E. Gifts of property which may be subject to environmental or other regulatory restrictions.

Restriction of Gifts – Developmental Enrichment Centers will not accept gifts that:

A. would result in Developmental Enrichment Centers violating its corporate charter,
B. would result in Developmental Enrichment Centers losing its status as an IRC δ 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization,
C. are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value,
D. would result in any unacceptable consequences for Developmental Enrichment Centers, or
E. are for purposed outside Developmental Enrichment Center’s mission.

Decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift, and its acceptance or refusal, shall be made by the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.

GIFTS GENERALLY ACCEPTED WITHOUT REVIEW

  • Cash – Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including by check, money order, credit card, or on-line. Donors wishing to make a gift by credit card must provide the card type (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress), card number, expiration date, security code number, and name of the card holder as it appears on the credit card.
  • Marketable Securities – Marketable securities may be transferred electronically to an account maintained at one or more brokerage firms or delivered physically with the transferor’s endorsement or signed stock power (with appropriate signature guarantees) attached. All marketable securities will be sold promptly upon receipt unless otherwise directed by Developmental Enrichment Center’s Investment Committee. In some cases marketable securities may be restricted, for example, by applicable securities laws or the terms of the proposed gift; in such instances the decision whether to accept the restricted securities shall be made by the Executive Committee.
  • Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans – Donors are encourage to make bequests to Developmental Enrichment Centers under their will, and to name Developmental Enrichment Centers as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities and retirement plans.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts – Developmental Enrichment Centers will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
  • Charitable Lead Trusts – Developmental Enrichment Centers will accept designation as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts.

GIFTS ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO PRIOR REVIEW

Certain forms of gifts or donated properties may be subject to review prior to acceptance. Examples of gifts subject to prior review include, but are not limited to:

  • Tangible Personal Property – The Executive committee shall review and determine whether to accept any gifts of tangible personal property in light of the following consideration: Does the property further the organization’s mission? Is the property marketable? Are there any unacceptable restrictions imposed on the property? Are there any carrying costs for the property for which the organization may be responsible? Is the title/provenance of the property clear?
  • Life Insurance – Developmental Enrichment Centers will accept gifts of life insurance where Developmental Enrichment Centers is named as both beneficiary and irrevocable owner of the insurance policy. The donor must agree to pay, before due, any future premium payments owing on the policy.
  • Real Estate – All gifts of real estate are subject to review by the Executive Committee. Prior to acceptance of any fit of real estate other than a personal residence, Developmental Enrichment Centers shall require an initial environmental review by a qualified environmental firm. In the event that the initial review reveals a potential problem, the organization may retain a qualified environmental firm to conduct an environmental audit. Criteria for acceptance of gifts of real estate include:
    • Is the property useful for the organization’s purposes?
    • Is the property readily marketable?
    • Are there covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements, encumbrances or other limitations associated with the property?
    • Are there carrying costs(including insurance, property taxes, mortgages, notes, or the like) or maintenance expenses associated with the property
    • Does the environmental review or audit reflect that the property is damaged or otherwise requires remediation?

Donor transparency and accountability are important to the leaders and employees of Developmental Enrichment Centers. To review DECs’ nonprofit information on Guidestar, including the most recent IRS Form 990 click here.