Fika Gift Acceptance Policy

Gift Acceptance Policy

Section 1: Policy and Purposes

This Policy represents the policy of Fika (the “Organization”) governing the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by the Organization. The board of directors or trustees or development committee or steering committee (“Governing Body”) of the Organization and its staff solicit current and deferred gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and others for purposes that will further and fulfill the Organization’s mission.

Section 2: Purposes of this Policy

The purpose of this Policy includes: (a) providing guidance for the Governing Body, officers, staff and other constituencies with respect to their responsibilities concerning gifts to the Organization; and (b) offering guidance to prospective donors and their professional advisors when making gifts to the Organization. The provisions of this Policy shall apply to all gifts received by the Organization. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Organization reserves the right to revise or revoke this Policy at any time, and to make exceptions to the Policy.

Section 3: Organizational Information

  1. Mission: Fika works with isolated communities to create access to essential health care, education and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers.
  2. Tax ID #: Fika is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law.
    EIN: 54-2031102
  3. Mailing Address: 5500 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Suite 130, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
  4. Wire Instructions:
    MidFirst Bank
    501 NW Grand Blvd
    Oklahoma City, OK 73118
    Bank ABA: 303087995
    Bank SWIFT: MFBKUS44
    Beneficiary Account: 5023039523
    Beneficiary Name: Fika
  5. Securities Transfer Instructions:
    Fidelity Investments
    DTC: 0226
    Beneficiary Account: Z50386855
    Beneficiary Name: Fika
  1. The Organization. The Organization shall seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when appropriate. Review by legal counsel may be used for gifts including, but not limited to, the following:
    1. Closely held stock transfers that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements;
    2. Gifts involving contracts such as bargain sales, partnership agreements, or other documents requiring the Organization to assume an obligation;
    3. Transactions with a potential conflict of interest; and
    4. Gifts of non-cash items including real estate.
  2. Donor Interest. In order to avoid potential conflicts of interest, the Organization encourages prospective donors to seek the assistance of their own legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts and the resulting tax and estate planning consequences.

Section 5: General Policy

The Organization reserves the right to decline a gift for any reason, including gifts that do not advance the core mission, are in their nature or source inconsistent with our mission, violate our Conflict of Interest Policy, or do not appear to have charitable intent. The Organization may decline gifts that are overly restrictive in purpose or that would place a financial burden or risk on the Organization, or from which little or no financial value would be realized. The Organization will not accept gifts that require illegal discrimination based on gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability or other impermissible quality.

Section 6: Policy Regarding Specific Types of Gifts

  1. Gifts Generally Accepted Without Review.
    1. Unrestricted Gifts of Cash. The Organization may accept unrestricted gifts of cash without prior review by the Governing Body. Unrestricted gifts of cash are acceptable in any form. Checks shall be made payable to the Organization.
    2. Marketable Securities. Unrestricted marketable securities may be transferred to an account maintained by the Organization at one or more brokerage firms or delivered physically with the transferor’s signature or stock power attached. All marketable securities shall normally be sold as soon as practical following receipt, unless otherwise directed by the Organization’s Governing Body. If the marketable securities are restricted by applicable securities laws, the Governing Body shall make the final determination on the acceptance of the restricted securities.
    3. In-kind gifts. The Organization may accept in-kind donations of goods, products, and/or services when deemed usable and relevant to current operational needs in the next three years.
  2. Gifts Subject to Review Prior to Acceptance will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors; all gifts, other than unrestricted gifts of cash and marketable securities, must be reviewed prior to acceptance. The following guidelines apply:
    1. Tangible Personal Property: the Executive Committee shall review and decide whether to accept gifts of tangible personal property by considering the following factors:
      1. Whether the property furthers the mission of the Organization;
      2. The marketability of the property;
      3. The restrictions on the use, display, or sale of the property; and
      4. Carrying costs and possible liability for the property.
      5. In general, due to costs associated with accepting gifts of tangible personal property, the Organization requests such gifts be valued in excess of $10,000.
    2. Closely-Held Securities: Closely-held securities, including debt and equity positions in non-publicly traded companies, interests in LLPs and LLCs, or other ownership forms, can be accepted subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the Organization. The Executive Committee shall review and decide whether to accept closely held securities based on the following factors:
      1. Restrictions on the security that would prevent the Organization from ultimately converting the securities to cash;
      2. The marketability of the securities; and
      3. Any undesirable consequences for the Organization from accepting the securities.
      4. If potential problems arise on initial review of the security, further review and recommendation by an outside professional may be sought before making a final decision on acceptance of the gift.

      The final determination on the acceptance of closely held securities shall be made by the Executive Committee of the Organization with advice of legal counsel when deemed necessary. Non-marketable securities shall be sold as quickly as possible.

    3. Oil, Gas, and Mineral Interests: The Organization may accept oil and gas property interests when appropriate. The Executive Committee, including legal counsel, shall review and decide whether to accept oil, gas, and mineral interests subject to the following limitations:
      1. Gifts of surface rights should have a value of $10,000 or greater.
      2. The property should not have extended liabilities or other considerations that make receipt of the gift inappropriate.
      3. A working interest should only be accepted after consideration of potential liability and tax consequences.
      4. Interests shall be sold as quickly as possible.
    4. Real Estate: Gifts of real estate may include developed property, undeveloped property, or gifts subject to a prior life interest. Due to the expenses associated with gifts of real estate, generally only gifts valued in excess of $50,000 will be considered.
      1. Environmental Review. Prior to acceptance of real estate, the Organization shall require an initial environmental review of the property to ensure that the property has no environmental problem. If the initial inspection reveals a potential problem, the Organization shall retain a qualified inspection firm to conduct an environmental audit. The cost of the environmental audit shall be an expense of the donor.
      2. Title Binder. A title binder shall be obtained by the Organization prior to the acceptance of the real property gift when appropriate. The cost of this title binder shall be an expense of the donor.
      3. Factors for Acceptance. The Executive Committee and legal counsel shall review and decide whether to accept real property based on the following factors:
        1. Whether the property is useful for the purposes of the Organization;
        2. The marketability of the property;
        3. Any encumbrances, leases, restrictions, reservations, easements, or other limitations associated with the property;
        4. Any carrying costs associated with the property, including insurance, property taxes, mortgages, notes or other costs;
        5. Any concerns which the environmental audit revealed.
    5. Restricted Gifts: A gift with restrictions will be accepted only if and when the restrictions are approved by the Governing Body.
    6. Named Funds: A donor, or group of donors, may contribute and name a fund and restrict the use of the income or principal of the fund. Named funds require a minimum contribution of $100,000 and are subject to Governing Body approval like any other restricted gift.

Section 7: Deferred (Estate or Planned) Gifts

  1. Description of accepted deferred gift types.
    1. Bequests: Donors may make bequests to the Organization under their wills and trusts. A bequest will not be recorded as a gift until the gift is irrevocable. When the gift is irrevocable, but is not due until a future date, the gift will be recorded in accordance with GAAP.
    2. Charitable Remainder Trusts: The Organization may accept designations as remainder beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust. The Organization shall not accept appointment as trustee of a charitable remainder trust.
    3. Charitable Lead Trusts: The Organization may accept designations as income beneficiary of a charitable lead trust. The Organization shall not accept an appointment as trustee of a charitable lead trust.
    4. Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designations: The Organization may accept designations as beneficiary of donors’ retirement plans. Designations will not be recorded as gifts until the gift is irrevocable. When the gift is irrevocable, the gift will be recorded in accordance with GAAP.
    5. Life Insurance: The Organization may accept designations as beneficiary, and gifts of ownership, of a life insurance policy.
      1. Designations of beneficiary: Donors may name the Organization as beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of their life insurance policies. Designations will not be recorded as gifts until the gift is irrevocable. Where the gift is irrevocable, the gift shall be recorded in accordance with GAAP.
      2. Gifts of ownership: The life insurance policy will be recorded as a gift once the Organization is named as both beneficiary and irrevocable owner of a life insurance policy. The gift shall be valued in accordance with GAAP rules. If the donor contributes future premium payments, the Organization will include the entire amount of the additional premium payment as a gift in the year that it is made. If the donor does not elect to continue to make gifts to cover premium payments on the life insurance policy, the Organization may:
        1. Continue to pay the premiums;
        2. Convert the policy to paid up insurance, or
        3. Surrender the policy for its current cash value.
  2. Remainder Interests in Property: The Organization may accept a remainder interest in a personal residence, farm, or vacation property subject to approval of the Executive Committee. The donor or other occupants may continue to occupy the real property for the duration of the stated life. At the death of the life tenant(s), the Organization may use the property or reduce it to cash. Expenses for maintenance, real estate taxes, and any property indebtedness shall be paid by the donor or primary beneficiary.

Section 8: Additional Provisions

  1. Gift Agreements. Where appropriate, the Organization may enter into a written gift agreement with the donor, specifying the terms of any gift, which may include provisions regarding donor recognition.
  2. Pledge Agreements. Acceptance by the Organization of pledges by donors of future support of the Organization (including by way of matching gift commitments) shall be contingent upon the execution and fulfillment of a written charitable pledge agreement specifying the terms of the pledge, which may include provisions regarding donor recognition. In general pledges of no more than 5 years in length are accepted.
  3. Fees. The Organization will not accept a gift unless the donor is responsible for (1) the fees of independent legal counsel retained by donor for completing the gift; (2) appraisal fees; (3) environmental audits and title binders (in the case of real property); and (4) all other third-party fees associated with the transfer of the gift to the Organization.
  4. Valuation of Gifts. The Organization shall record gifts received at their valuation on the date of gift, except that, when a gift is irrevocable, but is not due until a future date, the gift may be recorded at the time the gift becomes irrevocable in accordance with GAAP. All responsibilities for any appraisal or valuation of non-cash items will be met by the donor and be in accordance with IRS guidelines.
  5. IRS Filings upon Sale of Gifts. To the extent applicable, staff shall file IRS Form 8282 upon the sale or disposition of any charitable deduction property sold within three (3) years of receipt by the Organization. “Charitable deduction property” means any donated property (other than money and publicly traded securities) if the declared value claimed by the donor exceeds $5,000 per item or group of similar items donated by the donor to the Organization (e.g., the property listed in Section B on Form 8283). The Organization shall file this form within 125 days of the date of sale or disposition of the asset.
  6. Written Acknowledgement. Staff of the Organization shall provide written acknowledgement of all gifts made to the Organization and comply with the current IRS requirements in acknowledgement of the gifts.
  7. Donor Recognition. The development committee shall from time to time propose to the Governing Body donor recognition, such as bridge memorials, dedications, corporate sponsorships, Rotary sponsorships, bridge naming rights, etc.
  8. Changes to or Deviations from the Policy. This Policy has been reviewed and accepted by the Organization’s Executive Committee, which has the sole power to change this Policy. In addition, the Executive Committee must approve in writing any deviations from this Policy.

Last updated

This gift acceptance policy was last updated in April 2026.