Life Outreach International

Our donations have surely gone to help these poor children. We have watched some go from distended bellies and lack of expression to healthy children laughing and playing even the adults have benefited from this organization. Their well drilling is equally as amazing equipping place that have to use murky, filthy contaminated water into clean water from wells is a God send for this folks lucky enough to be blessed by this ministry and now they are adding shoes for the children. This ministry is one to donate to. Your money won't be misused.

Complaint ID: [redacted] On Dec 14, we received your noticed about the above referenced complaintLife Outreach International is dedicated to maintaining a high level of integrityWe strive to resolve all issues, which we are aware of, in a timely fashionIn researching this transaction we had no documentation there was a problemWe did find the transaction and donation that Mrs [redacted] made 05/18/of $1,000.00.Not for profit organizations are required by the IRS to deduct the FMV of anything that a donor receives in exchange for a donationIt is calculated by researching what "like" products are selling for in general not the cost of the itemThus Mrs [redacted] receipt reflected her donation of $1,and $deducted for FMV of the Eagle bronze, the balance being tax deductible by law.After receipt of the complaint our Ministry Representative, [redacted] , contacted Ms [redacted] this is he summary context of their conversation:From: [redacted] ***Sent: [redacted] **To: [redacted] Subject: RE: [redacted] ***I was finally able to reach Ms [redacted] by phone on Thursday (12/21)She appreciated the callI tried my best to explain to her why we are required to add the Fair Market Value to gift receipts to indicate any premiums that donors receiveShe still didn't like the idea but seems to have understoodI offered to refund the $as she originally requested, but she decided against it knowing that all of her gift would be directed to the outreach project she designated it toAlso per our conversation, I sent her a return label for the bronze (so she doesn't have to pay for shipping), and we issued her a new receipt indicating that the full amount of her gist is tax deductiblePlease let me know if you have any further questionsThank you! [redacted] ***Based on the above communication with Ms [redacted] I sincerely hope that the problem has been resolvedIf this is not the case please let me know as soon as possible.Sincerely, [redacted]

Life Outreach International contacted me today They explained to me that all my $did go to the starving children, but the IRS demanded them to put a fair-market value on the bronze eagle, which is not the cost to make the statue but the cost to sell it at a store I personally think it’s overpriced, but that’s beside the point The point is that the $did go to the starving children in Africa and not to the purchase of the eagle I decided to return the eagle and they will mail me a shipping label and a new IRS receipt for my $donation instead of the lesser amount due to the eagle I suggested to Life Outreach International to put in fine print on future income tax receipts that the full amount of the givers’ donations went to the intended charity and further suggested to have them explain that the price of exchanged gifts are just values and not a purchase, like I thought it was The Life Outreach International representative said she will give the company my suggestion, but she doubted they would do it because the IRS might object or make the IRS look bad, and she also said the company wants to please the IRS and be on good terms with them so they might not use my suggestion.Sincerely, [redacted] ***Sent from my iPhone

Complaint ID: [redacted]On Dec 14, 2017 we received your noticed about the above referenced complaint. Life Outreach International is dedicated to maintaining a high level of integrity. We strive to resolve all issues, which we are aware of, in a timely fashion. In researching this transaction we had no documentation there was a problem. We did find the transaction and donation that Mrs. [redacted] made 05/18/17 of $1,000.00.Not for profit organizations are required by the IRS to deduct the FMV of anything that a donor receives in exchange for a donation. It is calculated by researching what "like" products are selling for in general not the cost of the item. Thus Mrs. [redacted] receipt reflected her donation of $1,000.00 and $370 deducted for FMV of the Eagle bronze, the balance being tax deductible by law.After receipt of the complaint our Ministry Representative, [redacted], contacted Ms. [redacted] this is he summary context of their conversation:From: [redacted]Sent: [redacted]To: [redacted]Subject: RE: [redacted]I was finally able to reach Ms. [redacted] by phone on Thursday (12/21). She appreciated the call. I tried my best to explain to her why we are required to add the Fair Market Value to gift receipts to indicate any premiums that donors receive. She still didn't like the idea but seems to have understood. I offered to refund the $300 as she originally requested, but she decided against it knowing that all of her gift would be directed to the outreach project she designated it to. Also per our conversation, I sent her a return label for the bronze (so she doesn't have to pay for shipping), and we issued her a new receipt indicating that the full amount of her gist is tax deductible. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you![redacted]Based on the above communication with Ms. [redacted] I sincerely hope that the problem has been resolved. If this is not the case please let me know as soon as possible.Sincerely,[redacted] [redacted]

Life Outreach International contacted me today.  They explained to me that all my $1000 did go to the starving children, but the IRS demanded them to put a fair-market value on the bronze eagle, which is not the cost to make the statue but the cost to sell it at a store.  I personally...

think it’s overpriced, but that’s beside the point.  The point is that the $307 did go to the starving children in Africa and not to the purchase of the eagle.  I decided to return the eagle and they will mail me a shipping label and a new IRS receipt for my $1000 donation instead of the lesser amount due to the eagle.  I suggested to Life Outreach International to put in fine print on future income tax receipts that the full amount of the givers’ donations went to the intended charity and further suggested to have them explain that the price of exchanged gifts are just values and not a purchase, like I thought it was.  The Life Outreach International representative said she will give the company my suggestion, but she doubted they would do it because the IRS might object or make the IRS look bad, and she also said the company wants to please the IRS and be on good terms with them so they might not use my suggestion.Sincerely,[redacted]Sent from my iPhone