Give To Mission Trips
GUIDELINES FOR MISSION TRIPS AND PAYMENTS/GIFTS
Publication 526- Charitable Contributions
A charitable contribution is a donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. It is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting to get, anything of equal value.
Contributions You Can Deduct
Generally, you can deduct contributions of money or property you make to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. A contribution is “for the use of” a qualified organization when it is held in a legally enforceable trust for the qualified organization or in a similar legal arrangement.
The contributions must be made to a qualified organization and not set aside for use by a specific person.
****The above statements are from IRS Publication 526 Charitable Contributions.****
Westwood's Policy on Mission Trip Donations
Based on the information and guidelines contained in IRS Publication 526 and guidance from the Alabama State Board of Missions, going forward we must make changes to the way we accept and receive support for mission trips to stay in compliance with the IRS Charitable Contributions.
This means that you are no longer able to designate mission trip support for a specific individual, otherwise, according to the IRS, the ‘gift’ you have given is no longer a charitable contribution because you have placed stipulations and control on how the ‘gift’ is to be spent. (This does not include your own personal mission trip expenses paid)
How does this relate to my mission trip that I am trying to raise support for?
People can still send money in for your trip, but you will need to give them very specific guidelines on the best way to make a charitable contribution for your mission trip. Please ask them to include a notation in the memo line of the trip location then on a sticky note your name with the check that states “APPEALED BY [team member’s name] and the trip dates and location. We have envelopes for mission trips that you can send with your support letters that request that same information (trip location, dates, and appealed by). Please check with Tammy in the Missions Office for envelopes.
As a general reminder, all charitable contributions are non-refundable and church leadership has complete discretion and control over the use of all charitable contributions.
If you are not able to go on the mission trip, or your trip expenses are covered, any excess money will be used to help support missions, or mission trips of others. This ensures that the church maintains control of all donated money and how it is spent.
Thank you in advance for your donations!
Many of Westwood’s mission team members would not be able to invest in people who will impact their world for Jesus without the help of the generous contributions from others. Because of the specific wording required for mission trip support gifts, we are only accepting contributions for team members via check (or cash) at this time.
Please make your check payable to Westwood Baptist Church. Please include a notation in the memo line of trip location and sticky note with your name with the check that states “APPEALED BY” [team member’s name] and the trip dates and location. Checks may be mailed to:
Westwood Baptist Church
Attn: Tammy Archer
P O Box 630
Alabaster, AL 35007