CAARA is an ARRL Special Service Club
located at 6 Stanwood Street in
Gloucester Massachusetts.

Donated and Surplus Equipment Policy

The CAARA Board of Directors has created this policy so that Association Members may be confident that all equipment donations to the Association will be handled properly by the Board, and to ensure that the handling of every donation is consistent, transparent, and in the best interests of the Association. Some donated items may be retained by the Association for its use to benefit all members, while other items will be made available to members for a nominal price, or sold at auction, Flea Market, etc., as described herein.

Any item not retained by the Association for its own use may be labeled with a suggested value and listed on the association's website, in the Newsletter, or on a list distributed via "CAARAMail" and posted in the Association's facility, where it may be purchased. Alternatively, and at the Board's discretion, any item may instead be sold at auction, Flea Market or other approved sale. Any restrictions on the sale of said item or items (minimum bid, condition, etc.) shall be clearly stated or marked on the item.

In any event, first preference shall be given to Association Members.

Because of CAARA's status as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation, equipment donated to CAARA is tax-deductible. Therefore, anyone donating equipment to the Association shall, at their request, receive a letter listing the items included in their donation at the time it was made for use in filing their tax returns. For the purpose of this letter, the Board of Directors (or its designee) shall not make any determination of the value of the item(s) so donated unless said item(s) were sold prior to writing the letter. In that case, the actual amount received (minus any selling expense) shall be included in the letter. See IRS Publication 1771, Charitable Contributions-Substantiation and Disclosure Requirements for details.

Examples of Written Acknowledgments a donor may receive:

“Thank you for your cash contribution of $300 that Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association received on December 12, 2013.  No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.”

“Thank you for your cash contribution of $350 that Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association received on May 6, 2013.  In exchange for your contribution, we gave you a cookbook with an estimated fair market value of $60.”

“Thank you for your contribution of a used Heathkit SX-24 and accessories that Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association received on March 15, 2013.  No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.”

Example of a written acknowledgment where a contribution is made in the name of one of our activities:

“Thank you for your contribution of $450 to Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association made in the name of its Scholarship Fund program.  No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution.”

CAARA DOES NOT accept any equipment on consignment.

Click here for a printable copy of this Policy.