Create Your Letter of Intent to Donate
Generate a professionally formatted donation letter of intent that documents your planned charitable contribution - donation amount, gift type, purpose designation, payment schedule, recognition preferences, and conditions. Includes non-binding language with an optional binding pledge. Ready to send in minutes.
Trusted by donors and nonprofits nationwide
What's Included in This Letter
This form generates a comprehensive letter of intent to donate covering donor and organization details, donation structure, purpose designation, recognition preferences, conditions, tax acknowledgment, and clear non-binding language with an optional binding pledge - all in a professional letter format ready to send to the recipient organization.
Donation Structure
Define the donation amount or estimated value, gift type (cash, securities, real property, in-kind services, planned gift, cryptocurrency), and purpose designation. Non-cash gifts include IRS appraisal disclaimer language for gifts exceeding $5,000 as required by IRC Section 170(f)(11). Cash contributions are deductible up to 60% of AGI under IRC Section 170(b)(1)(G).
Multi-Year Pledge Schedule
Optionally spread the gift over 2 to 10 years with customizable installments. Set annual amount and payment frequency (annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly). For cash-basis taxpayers, each installment is deductible in the year paid, not when pledged. The letter includes a complete payment schedule for the organization's records.
Recognition & Conditions
Choose your recognition preference (public, first-name-only, or anonymous), express interest in naming opportunities, set conditions on how funds are used, request a tax receipt, and note employer matching gift programs. Donor conditions create fiduciary obligations under charitable trust principles.
Non-Binding with Optional Binding Pledge
The letter is non-binding by default. However, a dedicated binding pledge checkbox and signature line let the donor convert it into an enforceable commitment.
Non-Binding Does Not Mean Non-Serious
While this letter is non-binding by default, nonprofits rely on expressed intent for budgeting, staffing, and grant applications. Withdrawing a pledge after an organization has relied on it can damage relationships and may expose the donor to promissory estoppel claims. Communicate changes early if your circumstances change.
Tax Deduction Considerations
Charitable contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations are generally tax-deductible under IRC Section 170, but AGI-based limits apply. Non-cash gifts exceeding $5,000 require a qualified independent appraisal. The value of donated services is not deductible. This letter is not tax advice - consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Donation Types Explained
Charitable gifts come in many forms. This letter supports seven common donation types - choose the one that matches your intended contribution.
Cash or Check
The most straightforward donation type. The letter documents the exact dollar amount pledged. Fully deductible up to 60% of AGI for gifts to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. Cash-basis taxpayers deduct in the year of payment.
Securities & Stock
Transfer of stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares. Donating appreciated securities held over one year allows the donor to deduct the full fair market value while avoiding capital gains tax. Publicly traded securities do not require an independent appraisal. Closely held stock over $10,000 requires appraisal.
Real & Personal Property
Real property includes land and buildings. Personal property includes art, vehicles, and equipment. The related use rule limits deductions to cost basis if the donee's use is unrelated to its exempt purpose. Non-cash gifts over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal.
Planned Gifts, In-Kind & Crypto
Planned gifts or bequests are contingent on estate settlement and deductible from the gross estate. In-kind services are donated professional services, but the value of services is not deductible, though unreimbursed expenses may be. Cryptocurrency donations are treated as property with similar tax benefits to appreciated securities if held over one year.
How Nonprofits Use This Letter
A letter of intent to donate is more than a courtesy - it is a planning tool that nonprofits rely on across many operational areas.
Capital Campaigns
Nonprofits conducting capital campaigns collect letters of intent to demonstrate committed funding to boards, lenders, and other donors. A written pledge letter adds credibility to campaign totals even before funds are received.
Grant Applications
Many grant applications require evidence of community support and matching funds. A letter of intent from a donor serves as documentation that matching funds are committed, strengthening the organization's application.
Budget Planning
Development teams use pledge letters to forecast revenue and plan budgets. Multi-year pledges are especially valuable for staffing decisions, program expansions, and long-term financial planning.
Donor Stewardship
A formal letter of intent signals commitment and seriousness, strengthening the donor-organization relationship. The letter's tax acknowledgment request section facilitates documentation for recognition programs and annual reports.
Letter of Intent to Donate
- Cash, securities & planned gift support
- Multi-year pledge schedules
- All 50 states supported
- Tax acknowledgment requests
- Optional binding pledge language
- Instant PDF download
Did you know?
Did you know?
Letters of intent to donate are a cornerstone of nonprofit fundraising, yet many donors skip them and make verbal pledges instead. This creates problems for both sides. Nonprofits cannot reliably count verbal pledges toward campaign goals, grant matching requirements, or budget projections. Donors lose the documentation trail needed for tax planning and employer matching gift programs. A written letter of intent solves both issues: it gives the nonprofit a formal document for planning and record-keeping, and it gives the donor a clear record of their intended gift, conditions, and recognition preferences. For multi-year pledges especially, a written letter prevents misunderstandings about payment timing, installment amounts, and designation restrictions that can strain donor relationships years later.
Featured — Spotlight
State-specific governing law built in.
Charitable solicitation and donation laws vary by state. Approximately 40 states plus D.C. require nonprofits to register before soliciting or receiving donations. State income tax deductions for charitable contributions also differ, while Texas and Florida have no state income tax. Pledge enforceability varies significantly by state. Federal IRC Section 170 rules apply nationwide, but state-level considerations depend on the specific state.
What people are saying
Real donors, real impact
Join donors and nonprofits who document their giving with clarity
"We use these letters for every major gift commitment in our capital campaign. Having a formal document with the pledge amount, payment schedule, and designation made our grant applications so much stronger. The board loves seeing written commitments instead of verbal promises. Clean, professional format."
Susan H., Foundation Director
Boston, MA
"Our company makes annual charitable contributions to several nonprofits and I needed a consistent, formal letter for each pledge. The multi-year schedule feature and matching gift note saved me hours of drafting. Our legal team reviewed the output and approved it immediately."
Mark T., Corporate Giving Manager
Seattle, WA
"We set up a multi-year pledge to our grandchildren's school building fund and wanted everything documented properly - the amount, annual installments, and naming opportunity. The school's development office said it was exactly what they needed for their campaign records."
Janet & Robert P.
Denver, CO
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our letter of intent to donate
A letter of intent to donate is a formal document from a donor expressing their intention to make a charitable contribution to a nonprofit or other qualifying organization. It covers the donation amount, type, purpose designation, payment schedule for multi-year pledges, recognition preferences, and any donor conditions. The letter is non-binding by default, but includes an optional binding pledge provision.
By default, no. The letter expressly states that it is a non-binding expression of intent and the donor can modify or withdraw at any time before the actual transfer of funds or property. However, the form includes an optional binding pledge checkbox and separate signature line. If the donor signs the binding pledge line, the commitment may become enforceable under state charitable solicitation and contract law.
This letter supports seven donation types: cash or check, securities or stock, real property, personal property, in-kind services, planned gift or bequest, and cryptocurrency. Non-cash gifts use estimated value and include an IRS appraisal disclaimer for gifts exceeding $5,000.
This letter is designed for self-service use and produces a professionally formatted document suitable for most charitable giving situations. For very large gifts, complex conditions, planned giving or estate-related pledges, or situations where you want the pledge to be legally binding, an attorney review is advisable.
Yes. Nonprofits commonly request that donors complete a letter of intent during capital campaigns, annual fund drives, and endowment initiatives. The letter documents the donor's intended gift amount, timeline, and designation, providing formal documentation for campaign totals, board reports, grant applications, and financial planning.
Instant PDF download · Updated for 2026
Instant PDF download · Updated for 2026