Glossary
Revenue & Donations

Donation Receipt

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
June 2, 2025

DEFINITION:

A donation receipt is a formal acknowledgment from a nonprofit to a donor for a contribution, used for tax and recordkeeping purposes.
A donation receipt is an official document provided by a nonprofit organization to a donor, acknowledging that a contribution has been received. This receipt typically includes essential information such as the donor’s name, the date and amount of the donation, a description of any non-cash gifts, and a statement regarding whether any goods or services were provided in exchange for the donation. Donation receipts are crucial for donors who wish to claim tax deductions and for nonprofits to maintain compliance with IRS requirements and best practices in transparency. Properly issued donation receipts help build donor trust and ensure accurate recordkeeping for annual reporting and audits.

Key Takeaways

  • Required for donor tax deductions
  • Must include specific donation details
  • Helps nonprofits stay compliant
  • Builds trust with donors

Why It Matters

Donation receipts are necessary for donor tax deductions and nonprofit compliance.

Real World Example

A local animal rescue receives a $500 donation from a supporter. Using Aplos, the organization quickly generates a donation receipt that includes the donor's name, the donation amount, the date, and a note that no goods or services were exchanged. The receipt is emailed automatically to the donor, who later uses it to claim a tax deduction when filing their annual taxes. This seamless process ensures compliance and provides the donor with immediate acknowledgment, reinforcing their trust in the organization.

How Aplos Helps

Aplos streamlines the process of generating and tracking donation receipts, making it easy for nonprofits to issue compliant and professional receipts for every donation. With Aplos, organizations can automate the delivery of receipts via email, keep records organized, and ensure that all required IRS information is included on each receipt.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do donors need a donation receipt?

Donors need a donation receipt to claim tax deductions for their contributions and for their own recordkeeping purposes.

What information should a donation receipt include?

A receipt should include the donor's name, donation amount, date, nonprofit name, and a statement about goods or services provided.

Can Aplos generate donation receipts automatically?

Yes, Aplos can automatically generate and email donation receipts with all required information to donors after each contribution.

Related Terms

Expense Allocation
Statement of Financial Position
Budget‑to‑Actual Report
Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
Restricted Fund
Project Tracking

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