what is the difference between a gift and a donation?

Answer 1

A gift or present is the transfer of money, goods, etc., without the direct compensation that is involved in trade, although possibly involving a social expectation of reciprocity, or a return in the form of prestige or power

Donation is a gift to a fund or cause, typically for charitable reasons. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, clothing, food, accommodation, blood or new or used items. Charitable gifts of goods or services are also called gifts in kind.


Donations are transfers, or gifts, given without return consideration. This lack of return consideration means that an agreement to make a donation is an "imperfect contract void for want of consideration." Only when the donation is actually made does it acquire legal status as a transfer or property.

Answer 2

The difference deals less with technicalities and tax exemptions and more about mentality and feelings. A donation is something you give for you. You either get cool perks like less money taken when taxes come around, a cool pin saying you care about the tragedies in third world countries, or the pure satisfaction of knowing that you did all you could to help the starving field mice in new guinea. Bottom line, no matter how much it helps, you get something from it. A gift on the other hand is for someone else. You dont expect anything back, and often times, it hurts you more to give it than it helps you. A gift is an intimate thing. Personal.

Answer 3

a donation is usually a monetary or product such as an expesive art sent to a Museum equal to a monetary donation -to support a charity organization, a fund, or cause (ex: idea for the finding of cure for disease, enviromental, socio-economic etc. ), or a person with a need of financial help. A gift can be a monetary donation when it is used for the above purposes, but mainly is called a "donation" when it is given to a charity or public institution. eventhough a gift is usually a tangible product that can be money as well, but that doesn't need to show for financial need, and it is usually from the heart, it is used for family, attracting a date, business and for personal reasons. So you mostly give gift such as a toy for a special event, or holiday occasion by choice since gifts arent given year round. You can give donations to many charities of your choice that serve a purpose usually money that will be used to help the cause, etc. Legally a donation is a Gift from a person or organization, in form of money, for a cause. Acording to the Merriam Webster online diictionary, a gift is: 2. something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation. And a donation is a. the making of a gift especially to a charity or public institution b : a free contribution.

Answer 4

A gift is given to some as a thank you or for an occasion or from kindness, a donation is given to help a cause or for a event .

Answer 5

A gift is usually something bought with a good deal of thought going into it and recieved usually by only one person, whereas a donation is usually money or other requests from alot of people in a group or charity aiming to help a lot more people.

Answer 6

In a religious context a gift is a talent that an individual has, whereas a donation would be regarded as an offering to the upkeep of the church etc.

Answer 7

A gift is more expensive than a donation.

Answer 8

Depends in what context but generally, Gift – something to given to someone, charity, etc and Donation – gift to charity

Answer 9

Gifts are most stuff, you know? You don't give money to your friends for a birthday present. And gifts are for some special times that has a special meaning to someone or group. For example for Christmas, for birthday, wedding present and ... these situations you give GIFTS. But about donations, they don't need any special timing, and most often they are cash, money you know?

Answer 10

Gifts are given direct, not through an agent. Donations get routed through intermediaries, with an aim` to protect the identity of the giver. This leads to a lot of leakages.