Proposed Grant Is Unusual Grant

Person to Contact - ID #: * * *
Contact Telephone Numbers: * * *

UIL: 509.02-01
Release Date: 8/18/2017

Date: May 24, 2017

Employer Identification Number: * * *

LEGEND:

B = State
C = Year
D = Name
E = Name
X dollars = Amount

Dear * * *:

We have considered your July 12, 2016, request for recognition of an unusual grant under Treasury Regulations section 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) and related provisions.

Based on the information provided, we have concluded that the proposed grant constitutes an unusual grant under section 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) and related provisions of the regulations. The basis for our conclusion is set forth below.

Facts

You were formed in the state of B in C. You are a nonprofit corporation exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity under Sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Code. You primarily provide scholarships to professionals in the D industry for pursuing additional training and education, obtaining professional credentials and certifications as well as for attending various regional and national programs.

You are asking for approval of an unusual grant in the amount of x dollars. The grant will come from E and be in the form of cash. The grant is to be used for the purpose of funding your scholarship programs.

The grant is unusual in relation to the donations that you normally receive because it greatly surpasses your annual budget and the size of grants you normally receive. This grant was not expected. There will be no restrictions placed on the use of the grant, other than it is to be used for your stated purpose.

E is not a creator of your organization and E does not stand in a position of authority over you. In addition, you have a large board of directors and do not share any board members with E. You are also operated by volunteers.

You are supported by donations, membership, and proceeds from events such as raffles, and dinners and you have consistently met the public support test. Your current officers and directors plan to strengthen your fundraising efforts to build new scholarship funds resulting in awarding more scholarships.

Law

Treasury Regulations sections 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) and 1.509(a)-3(c)(4) set forth the criteria for an unusual grant.

Treasury Regulations section 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) states that, for purposes of applying the 2-percent limitation to determine whether the 33 1/3 percent-of-support test is satisfied, one or more contributions may be excluded from both the numerator and the denominator of the applicable percent-of-support fraction. The exclusion is generally intended to apply to substantial contributions or bequests from disinterested parties which;

• are attracted by reason of the publicly supported nature of the organization;

• are unusual or unexpected with respect to the amount thereof; and

• would, by reason of their size, adversely affect the status of the organization as normally being publicly supported.

Treasury Regulations section 1.509(a)-3(c)(4) states that all pertinent facts and circumstances will be taken into consideration to determine whether a particular contribution may be excluded. No single factor will necessarily be determinative. Such factors may include:

• Whether the contribution was made by a person who

• Whether the contribution was a bequest or an inter vivos transfer. A bequest will ordinarily be given more favorable consideration than an inter vivos transfer.

• Whether the contribution was in the form of cash, readily marketable securities, or assets which further the exempt purposes of the organization, such as a gift of a painting to a museum.

• Whether (except in the case of a new organization) prior to the receipt of the particular contribution, the organization (a) has carried on an actual program of public solicitation and exempt activities and (b) has been able to attract a significant amount of public support.

• Whether the organization may reasonably be expected to attract a significant amount of public support after the particular contribution. Continued reliance on unusual grants to fund an organization's current operating expenses (as opposed to providing new endowment funds) may be evidence that the organization cannot reasonably be expected to attract future public support.

• Whether, prior to the year in which the particular contribution was received, the organization met the one-third support test described in section 1.509(a)-3(a)(2) without the benefit of any exclusions of unusual grants pursuant to section 1.509-3(c)(3);

• Whether the organization has a representative governing body as described in Treasury Regulations section 1.509(a)-3(d)(3)(i); and

• Whether material restrictions or conditions within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.507-2(a)(7) have been imposed by the transferor upon the transferee in connection with such transfer.

Application of Law

The grant meets the requirements of Treasury Regulations section 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) because the grant is from a disinterested party, and:

• The grant was attracted by reason of your publicly supported nature,

• The grant is unusual or unexpected with respect to the amount,

• The grant will adversely affect your status as normally being publicly supported.

The grant meets the requirements of Treasury Regulations section 1.509(a)-3(c)(4) based on the following facts and circumstances:

1. The grant was not made by a person who created you or who previously contributed a substantial amount of your support. The grantor also does not stand in a position of authority with respect to you and does not exercise control over you.

2. The grant is in the form of cash.

3. You have carried on an actual program of public solicitation, have exempt activities, and have attracted a significant amount of public support over the years.

4. You have met the public support test in past years.

5. Because you have relied on public support in the past, it can be assumed that you will be able to maintain that level of public support in the future.

6. You have a large representative governing body.

In addition, no material restrictions or conditions within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.507-2(a)(7) have been imposed by the transferor upon the transferee in connection with such transfer.

For ail the forgoing reasons, the grant should be characterized as an unusual grant within the meaning of Treasury Regulations section 1.509(a)-3(c)(4).

If you have any questions, please contact the person listed in the heading of this letter.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements