Donation receipt generator

A donor needs a written acknowledgment from your nonprofit to claim a deduction for any single gift of $250 or more (IRS Pub 1771). It is good practice to acknowledge every gift, but $250 is the legal line. Send it by the time the donor files their return, and by January 31 of the next year is a safe habit.

The organization’s name, the amount of cash or a description (not the value) of any non-cash gift, and a statement about whether the donor received anything in return: either that no goods or services were provided, or a description and good-faith estimate of their value. This tool includes each required element.

If a donor pays more than $75 and gets something in return, like a gala ticket or a mug, you must tell them in writing that only the amount above the value of what they received is deductible, and give a good-faith estimate of that value. This tool calculates the deductible amount for you when you enter what the donor received.

No. For non-cash (in-kind) gifts, describe the item but do not state its dollar value. Valuing the donation is the donor’s responsibility, and for gifts over $5,000 they generally need a qualified appraisal. Your receipt describes what was given, not what it was worth.

It produces a standard acknowledgment letter using the elements the IRS describes in Publication 1771. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. For unusual gifts (property, securities, vehicles) or large non-cash donations, check the IRS rules or a professional.