donating points to a non-profit silent auction/raffle

[disneyatheart]

Hello everyone,

My DH and I are thinking about donating some of our points to a local silent auction for our school district's annual benefit.

Could someone give me an idea of the process you took and how you donated the points.

My thinking is we would give 150 points. How would you describe this for the auction, and what parameters would you use?

Please give me your thoughts about the pro's and con's, too.

Thank you,

 

[RobDoc]

We have done this. I'd suggest offering a specific number of days in a specific villa size (maybe a 2 BR if you wish to donate that many points) rather than offering "points". (If you offer points, it may require a lot of education regarding their use and limitations- all things pretty foreign to non-members ... and even some members )

You can then place any limits on season, number of days and which dates you will allow and CLEARLY note that the reservation is based on availability at the time the date request is made.

In our case, we offered 5 nites in a Studio at OKW and limited the dates to Sun - Thurs and excluded Premier Season (Christmas and Easter). We also stated that the reservation needed to be used within 11 months and suggested the winner provide their preferred dates ASAP to have the best chance for success. We didn't find a need to educate the winner in DVC in advance, but did provide as much information as they wanted prior to their trip. We offered to make PS for them as well as providing lots of information about WDW. Since this was prior to 1999, the winner also got free admission passes included with their accommodations - a nice additional perk at that time.

You should definitley check with your tax advisor regarding deductibility of your generous gift. The IRS does have limitations on how timeshares are treated and you may find minimal personal benefit - but lots of satisfaction with what your school will get from your donation.

Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We did this for our son's private high school after he graduated. We donated a Sunday check-in to Friday check out stay for all seasons but prime. As it turned out, the school bundled the donation with frequent flyer tickets and turned it into a Disney vacation package. I made stipulations on the donations about how the reservations needed to be made through me. Then I fixed up a little packet and booklet from information I had in my sales packet and put that up with the auction. The family who won it, used it for a January trip, so it didn't cost me many points at all. Don't forget to take it as a donation for your taxes too.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I wouldn't just offer it as "150 pts" as most people have no idea how DVC works and wouldn't understand the value of the points. As mentioned previously, I would list it specifically as to what type of accommodations it would be, the number of nights, and the date range available. That way whoever bids on it knows the parameters and you also have some control as to how many points will be used.

 

[salmoneous]

In general, you will get no tax deduction from this donation (check with you tax advisor, etc. etc. etc.)

Depending upon your personal tax situation, you may be much better off renting the points out to a paying customer, and then donating the money directly to the school.

 

[JimMIA]

The more complete and understandable you can make the package, the more money you'll raise. We once did a two week Hawaiian vacation, including airfare for two, hotels on three islands, golf on three islands, inter-island airfare, rental cars on each island, and some meals including a luau. We raised over $25,000.

Part of the reason we did so well was the package was inclusive and easy to understand. When you promote your package, don't forget to mention the regular perks all on-site visitors get: EMH, DME, dining plan availability, free parking at the theme parks, etc, etc. You'd better make clear, though, that they'll be responsible for their tickets, food, etc. It would be a good idea to download and print some pictures of both the interior and exterior of one of the resorts -- that will show people this ain't no Motel 6!

Good luck, and it's worthwhile even if you don't get a tax break.

 

[canda]

I typed up these rules for a Closing gift I gave as an incentive to buy a home I had listed to sale. I was ok with an attorney, but I did get the impression he had no idea what DVC was. (or cared) But he let it close with the house.

Can anyone think of anything to add or take off?

Disney Trip Promotion Rules and Regulations:

Closing gift to buyers who purchase and close on ____________ Drive will receive a room only gift of a (up to) 5 night stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
Check-in is a Sunday and Check out is a Friday. No Friday or Saturday stay allowed.
5 night stay must be together at same resort and not broken up.
Failure to use all five nights will forfeit promotion.
Stay will included a studio accommodation that sleeps 4 -1 queen bed & 1 pull out sofa.
Stay will be based on availability of dates requested. Booking time for dates will not be available until 7 months prior to requested dates.
Canceling a stay will forfeit promotion and gift. No substitution allowed.
Gift is not redeemable for cash.
Trip must be made by December 31, 2007

Resorts include the choice of:

Beach Resorts
Disney’s Hilton Head Resort located in Hilton Head Island, SC.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort located at Vero Beach, FL

Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Old Key West Resort located at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort located at The Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, FL


The five night, Sunday thru Thursday, studio stay, includes Room only.
Transportation to resort, meals and any admission tickets to attraction are not included.

Disney closing gift promotion is made available from listing agents personal
Time share points portfolio. There is no cash equivalency for a night’s stay.
Reservations are based on a point system. Points will be used from 2007 inventory.
If a trip is requested in 2006, the points will be borrowed from 2007. Borrowing points is a final transaction and can not be returned for a canceled trip. All reservation request are considered but not guaranteed. (Such as, Non-smoking, view location, etc.)
The user of this closing gift will be considered a guest of the Walt Disney Company and will not be required to participate in any time share sales presentation.

I understand the rules and regulations of this promotion,


_____________________________ ____________________



_____________________________ ____________________

 

[Dean]

There are no circumstances where one can get a tax deduction from the use of a single stay from a timeshare donation unless you also donate the permanent ownership of the timeshare, at least in the US. But for a worthy cause it still is worthwhile. I do agree with renting it then deducting.

 

[Mary Anne]

There was a thread like this about a year ago, at that time someone posted how they positioned when they offered it to their childs school. These are the original posters words, not mine, I didnot write this and I'm sorry I don't have the original posters name but I did like the way it was worded so I copied it and saved it as we are planning on doing something like this when my son is a Sr. in high school for his school's auction.

Walt Disney World Vacation for 4

Experience Walt Disney World the affordable way! Enjoy 6 days and 5 nights in a studio room at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, right in Disney World. Your room will have a microwave oven and mini refrigerator, which can save money on food costs. The studio can sleep up to four people. This great vacation includes convenient Walt Disney World transport to all Disney attractions, 4 pools with whirlpools, lighted tennis courts, health club, volleyball, playgrounds, and other recreational activities too numerous to mention. The Lake Buena Vista Golf course is adjacent to the resort. This item only includes accommodations, no airfair, no park admissions. The bold are my words.

This vacation has a retail value of $_______ (fill in the blank as it pertains to today's $$$ value) if booked through Disney. Subject to availability, this trip can begin any Sunday from September 4, 2005 through January 29, 2006, excluding the weeks of November 19 and December 24.

Minimum bid: $400

Naturally the dates you allow would change but I like it as you could pick the point season. Also it put a time limit on when the trip could be taken and someone couldn't come up to you 4 years later and ask for it when you didn't have the points available.

 

[disneyatheart]

Thank you everyone! I love the descriptions.....any more suggestions, descrioptions or recommendations would be helpful.

I haven't offered this idea of mine to the raffle/auction committee because I'm still uncertain, but the more information you all can give me would be helpuful.

Thank you!

 

[zoomsharedisney]

I typed up these rules for a Closing gift I gave as an incentive to buy a home I had listed to sale. I was ok with an attorney, but I did get the impression he had no idea what DVC was. (or cared) But he let it close with the house.

Can anyone think of anything to add or take off?

Disney Trip Promotion Rules and Regulations:

Closing gift to buyers who purchase and close on ____________ Drive will receive a room only gift of a (up to) 5 night stay at a Disney Vacation Club Resort.
Check-in is a Sunday and Check out is a Friday. No Friday or Saturday stay allowed.
5 night stay must be together at same resort and not broken up.
Failure to use all five nights will forfeit promotion.
Stay will included a studio accommodation that sleeps 4 -1 queen bed & 1 pull out sofa.
Stay will be based on availability of dates requested. Booking time for dates will not be available until 7 months prior to requested dates.
Canceling a stay will forfeit promotion and gift. No substitution allowed.
Gift is not redeemable for cash.
Trip must be made by December 31, 2007

Resorts include the choice of:

Beach Resorts
Disney’s Hilton Head Resort located in Hilton Head Island, SC.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort located at Vero Beach, FL

Walt Disney World Resorts
Disney’s Old Key West Resort located at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort located at The Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, FL


The five night, Sunday thru Thursday, studio stay, includes Room only.
Transportation to resort, meals and any admission tickets to attraction are not included.

Disney closing gift promotion is made available from listing agents personal
Time share points portfolio. There is no cash equivalency for a night’s stay.
Reservations are based on a point system. Points will be used from 2007 inventory.
If a trip is requested in 2006, the points will be borrowed from 2007. Borrowing points is a final transaction and can not be returned for a canceled trip. All reservation request are considered but not guaranteed. (Such as, Non-smoking, view location, etc.)
The user of this closing gift will be considered a guest of the Walt Disney Company and will not be required to participate in any time share sales presentation.

I understand the rules and regulations of this promotion,


_____________________________ ____________________



_____________________________ ____________________

I just wanted to add that since you are offering Old Key West and Saratoga Springs that you should change your accomodation description.

Saratoga offers a queen bed, pull out sleeper sofa, and a Pack-n-Play while Old Key West offers two queen beds and a Pack-n-Play. These descriptions could make a big difference in where people want to stay.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dean, why are you not allowed to take the donation value? We were even given a form to use with the value declared etc.

 

[Dean]

Dean, why are you not allowed to take the donation value? We were even given a form to use with the value declared etc.

Basically because the IRS specifically says so. The people that gave you the valuation will tell you they are not a tax attorney and that you are on your own. One can do anything with taxes if you don't get caught.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Perhaps you might offer a raffle/silent auction on the rent/trade board, so everyone would probably have all the necessary info. The top bidder could send you the money, which you could then donate, and receive the deduction on your income taxes. Otherwise, I would just rent the points, and donate the cash.

 

[Dean]

IRS publication 526:

Partial Interest in Property

Generally, you cannot deduct a contribution of less than your entire interest in property. For details, see Partial interest in property under Contributions of Property, later.

Partial Interest in Property

Generally, you cannot deduct a charitable contribution (not made by a transfer in trust) of less than your entire interest in property.

Right to use property. A contribution of the right to use property is a contribution of less than your entire interest in that property and is not deductible.
Example 1.

You own a 10-story office building and donate rent-free use of the top floor to a charitable organization. Since you still own the building, you have contributed a partial interest in the property and cannot take a deduction for the contribution.

Example 2.

Mandy White owns a vacation home at the beach that she sometimes rents to others. For a fund-raising auction at her church, she donated the right to use the vacation home for 1 week. At the auction, the church received and accepted a bid from Lauren Green equal to the fair rental value of the home for 1 week. Mandy cannot claim a deduction because of the partial interest rule. Lauren cannot claim a deduction either, because she received a benefit equal to the amount of her payment. See Contributions From Which You Benefit, earlier.

Exceptions. You can deduct a charitable contribution of a partial interest in property only if that interest represents one of the following listed items.
A remainder interest in your personal home or farm. A remainder interest is one that passes to a beneficiary after the end of an earlier interest in the property.

Example. You keep the right to live in your home during your lifetime and give your church a remainder interest that begins upon your death.

An undivided part of your entire interest. This must consist of a part of every substantial interest or right you own in the property and must last as long as your interest in the property lasts.

Example. You contribute voting stock to a qualified organization but keep the right to vote the stock. The right to vote is a substantial right in the stock. You have not contributed an undivided part of your entire interest and cannot deduct your contribution.

A partial interest that would be deductible if transferred in trust.

A qualified conservation contribution (defined under Qualified conservation contribution in Publication 561).

For information about how to figure the value of a contribution of a partial interest in property, see Partial Interest in Property Not in Trust in Publication 561.

Partial Interest in Property

Generally, you cannot deduct a charitable contribution (not made by a transfer in trust) of less than your entire interest in property.

Right to use property. A contribution of the right to use property is a contribution of less than your entire interest in that property and is not deductible.
Example 1.

You own a 10-story office building and donate rent-free use of the top floor to a charitable organization. Since you still own the building, you have contributed a partial interest in the property and cannot take a deduction for the contribution.

Example 2.

Mandy White owns a vacation home at the beach that she sometimes rents to others. For a fund-raising auction at her church, she donated the right to use the vacation home for 1 week. At the auction, the church received and accepted a bid from Lauren Green equal to the fair rental value of the home for 1 week. Mandy cannot claim a deduction because of the partial interest rule. Lauren cannot claim a deduction either, because she received a benefit equal to the amount of her payment. See Contributions From Which You Benefit, earlier.

Exceptions. You can deduct a charitable contribution of a partial interest in property only if that interest represents one of the following listed items.
A remainder interest in your personal home or farm. A remainder interest is one that passes to a beneficiary after the end of an earlier interest in the property.

Example. You keep the right to live in your home during your lifetime and give your church a remainder interest that begins upon your death.

An undivided part of your entire interest. This must consist of a part of every substantial interest or right you own in the property and must last as long as your interest in the property lasts.

Example. You contribute voting stock to a qualified organization but keep the right to vote the stock. The right to vote is a substantial right in the stock. You have not contributed an undivided part of your entire interest and cannot deduct your contribution.

A partial interest that would be deductible if transferred in trust.

A qualified conservation contribution (defined under Qualified conservation contribution in Publication 561).

For information about how to figure the value of a contribution of a partial interest in property, see Partial Interest in Property Not in Trust in Publication 561.