In-Kind Donations

Remember the APS and APRL when it is time to find a new home for some or all of the philatelic material, supplies, and literature in your collection.We turn your donations into resources that will enrich and educate future generations of collectors.

What Counts as an In-Kind Donation?

Donations of tangible personal property are often called “gifts in-kind.” The APS and APRL accept in-kind gifts of stamps, postal history material, philatelic literature, and hobby supplies. Gifts of philatelic-related material support the purpose of the APS and APRL as tax exempt organizations – therefore, the donor can deduct these at fair market value per IRS regulations.

Your In-Kind Donation Gives Back — Twice!

When you donate philatelic material in-kind to the APS and APRL, we keep it moving back into the hands of collectors.

Our team of volunteers helps us decide where your donation will make the biggest impact. Many stamps and supplies will support APS educational programming, while other material is added to our member-accessible library and reference collection. We also sell some philatelic material back to collectors. All proceeds of these sales support educational and youth programs, the reference collection, and the library.

What Should I Donate?

The APS accepts:

Beginner, advanced, and specialized collections.
Postal history and postcards
First day covers
Stamps on- and off-paper, used or unused
Supplies in good condition (mounts, hinges, tongs, album and album pages, stock sheets, etc.)

Unless requested otherwise, the APS Reference Collection gets the first choice of any stamps donated.

Donations of mint and unused (with gum intact) U.S. postage are very welcome, and are often used on APS direct mailings to offset regular postage costs.

The APRL accepts:

Literature and research material on all aspects of philately and postal history
Material relating to APS and APRL history
Exceptional and significant archival collections
Artifacts that provide insight or inspire curiosity about postal history and philately

Potential donors of philatelic literature and artifacts to the library should read the APRL donation guide here. If you aren’t sure whether your material is a good fit for the APRL’s collection, contact Marian Mills by phone at (814) 933-3803 ext. 246 or by email.

What Should I Avoid Donating?

The APS does not need:

Supplies that are no longer in usable condition, such as mounts that have shriveled up, hinges stuck together, or badly yellowed glassine envelopes

This list may be updated as needs change.

Unsure whether your collection has a new home at the APS? Contact our Donations team to discuss your potential donation by phone (814) 933-3803 ext. 225 or by email.

The APRL does not need:

Copies of The American Philatelist and Philatelic Literature Review, or Scott Catalogues published post-1925
Plaques, awards, and trophies
Reproductions or clippings from non-philatelic publications
Philatelic materials or reproductions of philatelic materials (such as photos of stamps)
Severely damaged or fragile items, or items with mold or pest exposure
Routine financial records such as invoices, receipts, ledgers, etc.
Materials with no connection to philately

Some exceptions may apply. Potential donors of philatelic literature and artifacts to the library should read the APRL donation guide here. If you aren’t sure whether your material is a good fit for the APRL’s collection, contact Marian Mills by phone at (814) 933-3803 ext. 246 or by email.

Before You Donate

Please consider the following as you prepare to send your in-kind donation.

Valuation

While we provide written acknowledgment of all in-kind donations, we may not value the gift. When the total claimed value of all philatelic related in-kind gifts is $5,000 or less during a tax year, the IRS permits the donor to use their guidelines to determine the valuation. Most donors use fair market value as the basis for their valuation.

To claim more than $5,000, the IRS requires an independent and qualified appraisal. The cost of the appraisal is also tax deductible. Most philatelic appraisals are performed by APS dealer members. Click here to use the APS Dealer Directory to find a qualified appraiser near you.

Benefits

In addition to a tax deduction, donating philatelic material may save you capital gains taxes. A donation of all or part of your philatelic property may save your loved ones the stress of disposing of your collection, and may reduce your estate taxes. Click here to learn more about estate planning with the APS.

Tax Forms

When $500 or more is claimed in noncash charitable contributions, donors will need to complete IRS Form 8283. Instructions are available here.

How to Donate

In-kind donations should be shipped or delivered to:

American Philatelic Society
Attn: Development Office
100 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Please include your name and mailing address so we can provide proper acknowledgment. Our written acknowledgment will include a brief description of the items received. We encourage donors to include a complete inventory with their donation to help our team process it more efficiently. Please allow 30 days for our written acknowledgment.

Your Support Makes a Difference

Every contribution – no matter the size – makes a difference. Together, with the combined support of collectors like you, the hobby will not only be sustained, but it will thrive. Are you ready to lend a hand?

Questions about donating in-kind gifts to the APS and APRL? Our team is ready to help. Contact Amy Larimer at (814) 933-3803 ext. 225, or click here to send the team an email.

The American Philatelic Society and American Philatelic Research Library are both 501c3 nonprofit educational charities governed by elected boards. Your in-kind gift may be tax deductible. All donations receive a letter of acknowledgement. Donors who have given in-kind gifts valued at $25 or more over the course of a calendar year will be recognized by name in the annual recognition issue of The American Philatelist.

American Philatelic Society

In-Kind Donations: Support the APS & APRL