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Avon formalizes master donation agreements to allow pass-through charitable gifts
Summary
Council was presented Ordinance No. 76-26 to create master donation agreements enabling donors to route gifts through qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations (e.g., French Creek Foundation) so donated funds can be directed to City projects while preserving donor tax benefits.
Law Director John Gasior described Ordinance No. 76-26 as a formalization of a practice allowing donors to channel contributions through qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations so the City can receive the funds while donors obtain tax benefits. Gasior characterized the tool as a "master agreement" to be used selectively when appropriate.
Paula Pitasky of Encompass Marketing gave concrete examples: the French Creek Foundation served as a pass-through for a Ford Motor Company donation intended to purchase a vehicle for the Senior Center, and a local baseball league served as a pass-through for a batting cage donation that Ford requested be routed through a nonprofit. Council Member Mary Berges recalled prior playground donations handled similarly and said she was satisfied with the clarification. Mayor Jensen added that once the Community Improvement Corporation becomes operational it will be another preferred 501(c)(3) vehicle.
No final vote was recorded on the ordinance at the work session; the item remains on the Council agenda for further consideration.
