Transforming the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children is not possible without our donors. As you review our Gift Acceptance and Donor Privacy Policies, please know that we appreciate your support.
Zoe Empowers solicits and accepts gifts that help advance our mission and purpose. All gifts are subject to review by Zoe Empower’s Gift Acceptance Committee (GAC) which includes General Counsel and other individuals appointed by the CEO, in consultation with the Board of Directors. We will not accept any gift that would result in violating our corporate charter or losing our status as an I.RC. 501 (c )(3) not-for-profit organization.
We urge all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters related to their gifts, including tax and estate planning consequences.
Type of Gifts Accepted
Cash: Donors may contribute cash in any form, including by check, credit card, cash, money order, electronic, or wire transfer.
Securities: Donors may contribute marketable securities electronically to an account maintained at our brokerage firm. Zoe Empowers will promptly sell marketable securities upon receipt unless otherwise directed by the GAC. The GAC will review all gifts of closely held securities prior to acceptance.
Bequest: Donors may name Zoe Empowers as a beneficiary of their wills and/or trusts. The GAC will review all restricted bequests prior to acceptance. Zoe Empowers allocates unrestricted bequests in accordance with the current policies approved by its Board of Trustees. Zoe Empowers does not serve as executor or personal representative for donor estates.
Retirement Plan or Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation: Donors may name Zoe Empowers as a beneficiary of their retirement plans or life insurance policies.
Charitable Remainder Trust and Charitable Lead Trust– These irrevocable trusts provide for an maintain two sets of beneficiaries; the donor determines whether to donate an interest in either the income or the principal and retains the other. Donors may designate Zoe Empowers as a beneficiary of a charitable remainder or lead trust, subject to the approval of the GAC. We are not able to accept appointment as a trustee of a charitable remainder or lead trust.
Tangible Personal Property: The GAC will review all gifts of tangible personal property (e.g. collections, vehicles, furniture, equipment, artworks, jewelry, etc.) prior to acceptance and retains the right to refuse these types of donations. The donor is responsible for any costs associated with appraisals. Zoe Empowers may enlist third parties for the sale of tangible personal property.
Real Estate: The GAC will review all gifts of real estate prior to acceptance. Criteria for acceptance of real estate include its marketability; the existence of covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements, encumbrances, or other limitations associated with the property; carrying costs including insurances, taxes, mortgages, notes, etc.; maintenance expenses; and any potential costs revealed by an environmental audit. For any gift of real estate, Zoe Empowers retains the right to request an environmental review by a qualified firm. The donor is generally responsible for any costs associated with conducting necessary due diligence, including but not limited to environmental audits, appraisals, title binders, etc.
In-Kind Contribution: The GAC may review in-kind contributions–including, but not limited to, pro bono or reduced rate professional services–prior to acceptance.
Acknowledgment of Gifts
Gift Confirmation: Zoe Empowers provides timely acknowledgment and proper substantiation of all contributions in accordance with IRS guidelines.
Gift Value: Except for gifts of cash and publicly traded securities, Zoe Empowers does not ascribe any value on any receipt or other form of gift substantiation. Under IRS guidelines, the donor is responsible for determining the value of any gift other than cash or publicly traded securities.
Other Provisions
Anonymous Contributions: Zoe Empowers respects the wishes of donors who prefer to make anonymous contributions. In such instances, we restrict information about anonymous donors to only those with a legal right to know.
Donor Restrictions: Zoe Empowers accepts and prefers unrestricted contributions in support of our overall mission and programs. We may accept contributions with restrictions (either temporarily or permanently) to specific programs or purposes, contingent upon approval by the GAC. All gifts are used for purposes consistent with the donor’s interests and intentions.
Compensation: Zoe Empowers does not compensate, whether through commissions, finders’ fees, or other means, any third party for directing a gift or a donor to the foundation.
Donor Privacy Policy
Zoe Empowers respects the privacy of our donors and their choice not to have personal information shared with others. Zoe Empowers does not and will not sell, rent, or trade donor information (collected online or offline, on any platform, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications).
Zoe Empowers respects the decisions of donors wishing to be removed from mailing lists, both print and electronic.
