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Free Donation Receipt Template — IRS-Compliant 501(c)(3) Receipt

Free — No Sign-Up RequiredPDF & WordUpdated April 12, 2026

A donation receipt (also called a charitable contribution acknowledgment) is a written record issued by a nonprofit organization to a donor, documenting a gift made to a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The IRS requires a written acknowledgment for any single charitable contribution of $250 or more, and donors need this documentation to claim a tax deduction on their federal return.

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This template is attorney-reviewed and built to US legal standards. It does not substitute for professional legal advice. For complex situations, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney.

Document Completeness13%

Full legal name of the 501(c)(3) organization

Your federal tax ID number (EIN) — required for donor tax deduction documentation

MM/DD/YYYY
$

Dollar amount of cash or check donation

Required by IRS for charitable contribution receipts

Name and title of the person signing on behalf of the organization

What Is a Donation Receipt Template (501c3 Tax Receipt)?

A donation receipt (also called a charitable contribution acknowledgment) is a written record issued by a nonprofit organization to a donor, documenting a gift made to a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The IRS requires a written acknowledgment for any single charitable contribution of $250 or more, and donors need this documentation to claim a tax deduction on their federal return. This template produces an IRS-compliant receipt that includes the organization's EIN, the donation amount or description, and the required statement regarding goods or services provided in exchange..

When Do You Need It?

Issue a donation receipt for every charitable contribution, especially: cash or check donations of any amount, property (in-kind) donations, donations of $250 or more (IRS requires written acknowledgment), end-of-year giving for tax deduction purposes, corporate or foundation grants, online giving confirmations, and fundraising event ticket purchases where a portion is tax-deductible. Best practice is to issue a receipt for every donation, regardless of amount..

What's Included in This Template

  • Organization name, address, and Tax ID (EIN)
  • Donor name and address
  • Donation date
  • Donation amount (for cash/check) or description (for property)
  • Donation type indicator (cash, check, or property)
  • Property description for in-kind donations
  • IRS-required goods and services statement
  • Tax deductibility statement
  • Authorized signature line
  • IRS Publication 526 compliance language

How to Fill It Out

1
Enter Organization Information — Provide your organization's full legal name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is required for donors to verify tax-exempt status and claim their deduction. Your EIN appears on your IRS determination letter.
2
Enter Donor Information — Provide the donor's full name and address exactly as they should appear for tax purposes. For corporate donors, use the company's legal name. Donors use the name and address on the receipt when filing their tax return.
3
Record Donation Type and Amount — Select the type of donation (cash, check, or property/in-kind). For cash or check donations, enter the exact dollar amount. For property donations, enter a description of the donated items. The organization should not value in-kind donations — that is the donor's responsibility.
4
Address Goods and Services — This is a critical IRS requirement. If the donor received anything of value in exchange for the donation (a dinner, auction item, gift bag), enable the 'Goods or Services Provided' toggle and enter the fair market value. If nothing was provided, the receipt will include the required 'no goods or services' statement.
5
Issue and Retain — Have an authorized representative sign the receipt. Provide the original to the donor and keep a copy in your records. For donations over $250, the receipt must be provided before the donor files their tax return.

Legal Requirements & Notes

Donation receipts must comply with IRS requirements to be valid for tax deduction purposes. Key legal considerations:

  • $250 Threshold (IRC § 170(f)(8)): A donor must have a written acknowledgment from the charity for any single cash contribution of $250 or more to claim a federal tax deduction. The acknowledgment must include the amount of cash donated, whether any goods or services were provided in exchange, and a good-faith estimate of the value of such goods or services.
  • Quid Pro Quo Contributions: If a donor gives more than $75 and receives goods or services in return (e.g., gala dinner ticket), the organization must provide a written disclosure statement showing the deductible portion (IRS Notice 2006-110).
  • In-Kind / Non-Cash Donations: Organizations must not assign a dollar value to non-cash contributions — that is the donor's responsibility. For property donations over $500, donors must file IRS Form 8283. For donations over $5,000, a qualified appraisal is required.
  • Contemporaneous Requirement: The written acknowledgment must be received by the donor before they file their tax return for the year of the contribution.
  • IRS Publication 526: IRS Pub. 526 details the rules for deducting charitable contributions including limits (generally 60% of AGI for cash contributions to public charities).
  • State Requirements: Some states have additional requirements for charitable solicitation registration and receipting. Check your state's charity registration requirements.

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Best practice is to issue a receipt for every donation. However, the IRS requires a written acknowledgment only for cash or check donations of $250 or more. For smaller amounts, a cancelled check or bank statement may suffice. For non-cash (in-kind) donations, a written receipt is required regardless of value.

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