For mineral & working interest owners

Let's start a conversation, not a transaction.

Every gift we take starts the same way — a conversation about how to get the most dollars to your ministry while keeping the tax and liability picture something we're both comfortable with. Oil and gas interests are no exception. If we can't take yours, we can very likely introduce you to someone who can.

Worst case, you've made a friend. Even when an interest doesn't fit what we can take directly, we'd rather point you toward the right resource than say no and walk away. This is meant to be the start of a relationship for all your future giving — not a one-time transaction.

Royalty interest, or working interest?

It's an easy question, and it's where every oil and gas conversation starts — because the answer changes how much risk we're taking on together, and how quickly your gift can move toward your ministry.

Passive

Royalty / Mineral Interest

You receive a share of production revenue but bear none of the operating costs, liabilities, or decisions. This is the more straightforward gift to make.

  • No operating costs or cash calls
  • No plugging or environmental liability
  • Generally does not trigger UBTI concerns
  • Can typically be accepted at the President's discretion
Active

Working Interest

You bear a share of drilling and operating costs, and the interest is treated as an active trade or business. This requires a closer look before we accept it.

  • May generate Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI)
  • Carries potential plugging and environmental liability
  • Subject to operating cash calls and decisions
  • Requires Board review under our Gift Acceptance Policy
Why we ask: a working interest can generate UBTI, may carry real plugging and environmental obligations, and can expose the organization to operating decisions it doesn't control. None of that takes it off the table — it just means we look harder, together, before saying yes.

Before we accept, we ask a few questions.

ConsiderationRoyalty interestWorking interest
UBTI exposureGenerally minimalLikely — reviewed and may require Form 990-T filing
Environmental / plugging liabilityNot applicableReviewed before acceptance
Approval levelPresidentBoard of Directors
Appraisal requirementQualified appraisal for gifts over $5,000Qualified appraisal, plus operating history review
Typical holding periodShort — interest is sold or assigned promptlyReviewed case by case

From "here's what I hold" to a gift your ministry can use.

01

Tell us what you hold

Send the division order, lease, or most recent statement — that's how we identify whether it's a royalty or working interest.

02

We review and structure the gift

Royalty interests typically move quickly; working interests go through additional review before the Board signs off.

03

Proceeds go to your fund

Once transferred and converted, net proceeds — less a modest Ministry Grant — are directed to your chosen donor-advised fund.

Holding an oil or gas interest? Let's talk it through.

Send us the lease or division order and we'll tell you plainly what kind of interest it is, what it would take, and whether we're the right home for it. If we're not, we'll do our best to point you to someone who is.

Start the Conversation →