Allowable Sources of Income

SCORE chapters may apply for and receive grants from local governments and other third parties. The SCORE chapter must notify the SCORE HQ accounting team of any financial reporting requirements associated with a received grant. The SCORE chapter or district associated with the grant will be responsible for any performance reporting requirements. SCORE chapters must notify the SCORE VP of Finance before applying for or receiving federal funds other than their normal Small Business Administration allocation. Please also remember that all contracts including grant agreements must be signed by the SCORE VP of Finance.

SCORE Chapters may accept general cash donations which include, checks, ACH transfers etc. Donors must be recognized; however, any acknowledgement must adhere to the standards in the Sponsor Recognition/Acknowledgement section below.

SCORE Chapters may solicit sponsorships to support specific events and projects.  Any support from sponsors must be recognized, however any acknowledgement must also adhere to the standards in the Sponsor Recognition/Acknowledgement section below. Chapters should notify the SCORE Vice President of Field Operations and their District Director before soliciting or accepting a gift of funds more than $10,000 from any one contributor in one year.  

In accordance with IRS guidelines, SCORE may not sell advertisements to sponsors; however chapters may utilize SCORE publication mediums to recognize a sponsor’s contribution to another project. Unallowable advertising includes: 

1. Messages containing qualitative or comparative language, price information, or other indication of savings or value; 

1. Endorsements; 

1. Inducements to purchase, sell, or use products or services. 

SCORE chapters may also accept assistance or donated service from third-party organizations. An in-kind donation is when a third-party organization offers to provide services (e.g. marketing) to a chapter free of charge. 

While SCORE Chapters should recognize sponsors or donors, SCORE cannot provide any perceived substantial benefit to a sponsor or donor in return for their support. SCORE's sponsor recognition and acknowledgment standards are outlined below. Examples of not allowed activities include: 

• selling space on an online directory; 

• selling space on the chapter website; 

• selling space in any publication or newsletter; 

• providing a unique benefit to a sponsor that is not offered to other sponsors; and  

• advertising a product in exchange for a sponsorship. 

SCORE chapters may not solicit donations of any kind from SCORE clients. SCORE clients may donate to SCORE as long as it is clear that the client is in no way receiving any benefit from SCORE in exchange for their donation. Donations through publicly accessible ‘donation buttons’ are not considered to be solicited and are allowable.

SCORE chapters may not accept non-cash donations or gifts, including but not limited to real estate, tangible property, retirement assets, or other investment assets, without prior approval from the SCORE VP of Finance.  SCORE Chapters may accept cash and in-kind gifts and donations. In-kind donations may include services rendered on behalf of a chapter, free or reduced rent, etc.

Chapters MAY recognize their sponsors and donors by posting the name and/or logo and a link to the organization's main website. For example, if a company donates to a chapter, the chapter may recognize the donation by listing the name or linked logo on a "Sponsored By" page on the chapter website. If a company sponsor's an event, the chapter may recognize the donation by listing the name or linked logo on a "thank you to our sponsors" slide at the event.

Sponsor acknowledgement MAY NOT include advertising the sponsor's products or services (including messages containing qualitative or comparative language, price information, or other indications of savings or value, an endorsement, or an inducement to purchase, sell, or use such products or services). 

All gifts to chapters are tax-exempt and are tax-deductible for the donor to the extent allowed by law.  All SCORE chapters receive their federal tax-exempt status through The SCORE Association using a single tax identification number 52-1067290. 

A Form 15, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Gift to SCORE, should be completed by the chapter and given to the donor for the donor to claim a tax deduction. Chapters must provide a copy of the Form 15 acknowledgement, to all donors of $75 or more.