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Giving Home > Professional Advisor Resources > Private Letter Ruling > Charitable Bequest Constitutes Unusual Grant

Charitable Bequest Constitutes Unusual Grant

Published January 2, 2026

GiftLaw Note: Organization made a request to recognize a proposed transfer from Donor under Reg. 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii). Organization is a Sec. 501(c)(3) public charity that provides educational and cultural events that are open to the public. Donor and Organization have no prior connection, and Donor has not previously provided funds that would constitute a significant portion of the Organization’s annual support. Additionally, Donor has no direct or indirect control over Organization. The charitable bequest is a building coupled with cash to pay for its deferred maintenance. The bequest is expected to increase Organization’s visibility and public profile. Organization plans to use the real property as its headquarters for events and allow other public charities to use the space for free or below fair market value.
 
Large bequests from a single donor can threaten a public charity’s status; however, certain donations may be excluded from the public support test. Regulation 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) explains that a contribution can be excluded from the public support test if it (1) is attracted by reason of the publicly supported nature of the organization, (2) is unusual or unexpected in size and (3) would, by reason of its size, adversely affect the organization’s publicly supported status. The facts and circumstances test found in Reg. 1.509(a)-3(c)(4) provides considerations for determining if a contribution may be excluded as an unusual grant. Many of the factors relate to the donor’s relationship with the organization, the type of contribution made and the amount of public support the charity has historically solicited and received. Here, the Service determined that the proposed grant satisfies Reg. 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) and related provisions. Therefore, it is an unusual grant and will not adversely affect Organization’s publicly supported status.

PLR 202550047         Charitable Bequest Constitutes Unusual Grant

12/12/25 (7/29/25)

Dear Applicant:

We have considered your June 18, 2024 request for recognition of an unusual grant under Treasury Regulation Section 1.170A-9(f)(6)(ii) and related provisions.

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

Facts

You are tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). You are currently classified as a public charity described in IRC Section 509(a)(2). You were selected to receive the bequest from B because of your publicly supported nature; specifically, you provide education and cultural awareness of * * * through their stories, performances and artwork. You host numerous educational and cultural events annually that are free and open to the public.

The grant came from an outside donor who learned about your mission and wanted to benefit your cause. There is no prior connection between you and B. B has never provided funds that would constitute any significant portion of your annual public support. B also does not directly or indirectly exercise control over you, nor are they in a relationship described in IRC Section 4946(a)(1)(C) through 4946(a)(1)(G).

The grant consists of a building, worth x dollars and a cash donation of y dollars to pay for deferred maintenance. You plan to use the real property as your headquarters, to hold events, and to allow other public charities to use the space for free or below fair market value. You are expecting the property donation will elevate your visibility and public profile. Upon the receipt of the grant from B, your status as a publicly supported organization may be jeopardized.

You have never received a grant of this size or value, nor any amount even close to it. The majority of your donors make contributions of less than z dollars. You are expecting substantial growth in the coming years.

Law

Two sections of the Treasury Regulations set forth the criteria for an unusual grant. They are:

Treasury Regulation Section L170A-9(f)(6)(ii)

This section states that, for purposes of applying the 2% limitation to determine whether the 33 1/3% of-support test is satisfied or the 10% support limitation is met, 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 Regulation Section 1.509(a)-3(c)(4)

This section 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;

a. created the organization;
b. previously contributed a substantial part of its support or endowment;
c. stood in a position of authority with respect to the organization, such as a foundation manager within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 4946(b);
d. directly or indirectly exercised control over the organization, or;
e. was in a relationship described in IRC Section 4946(a)(1)(C) through 4946(a)(1) (G) with someone listed in bullets a, b, c, or d above.

A contribution made by a person described in bullets a through e is ordinarily given less favorable consideration than a contribution made by others not described above.

  • 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 Treas. Reg. Section 1.509(a)-3(a)(2) without the benefit of any exclusions of unusual grants pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.509-3(c)(3);
  • Whether the organization has a representative governing body as described in in Treas. Reg. Section 1.509(a)-3(d)(3)(i); and
  • Whether material restrictions or conditions within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.507-2(a)(7) have been imposed by the transferor upon the transferee in connection with such transfer.

Application of Law

Based on the information provided, the proposed grant meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.170A- 9(f)(6)(ii) because the grant is from a disinterested party, and:

  • The grant was attracted by reason of the publicly supported nature of your organization.
  • Is unusual or unexpected with respect to the amount.
  • The grant would by reason of their size adversely affect your organization as normally being publicly supported.

The grant meets the requirements of Treas. Reg. Section 1.509(a)-3(c)(4) based on the following facts and circumstances:

  • The grant is not being made by a person who created you.
  • B has not previously contributed a substantial part or endowment to you and has not stood in a position of authority such as a foundation manager within the meaning of IRC Section 4946(b).
  • B does not directly or indirectly exercise control over you, nor has been in a relationship described in IRC Section 4946(a)(1)(C) through 4946(a)(1)(G).
  • The transfer of assets will further your exempt purpose and be used to fund your programs in the future.
  • You carry on a program to solicit funds to support your activities and reasonably expect to attract public support after this grant.
  • No material restrictions or conditions (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. 1,507-2(a)(7)) have been imposed by B in connection to the donation.

We'll make this determination letter available for public inspection after deleting personally identifiable information, as required by IRC Section 6110. We've enclosed Letter 437, Notice of Intention to Disclose — Rulings, and a copy of the letter that shows our proposed deletions.

  • If you disagree with our proposed deletions, follow the instructions in the Letter 437 on how to notify us.
  • If you agree with our deletions, you don't need to take any further action.

We've sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in your power of attorney.

If you have questions, please contact the person listed at the top of this letter.

Sincerely,

Stephen A. Martin
Director, Exempt Organizations
Rulings and Agreements

Enclosures:
Redacted Letter 4787
Letter 437