Make An Impact with NASA

Can I donate services to NASA?

• Yes. NASA can accept specialized consulting, professional or nonprofessional labor services (e.g., consulting, educational outreach, advisory). However, these cannot be used to bypass standard government procurement processes, nor can they be exchanged for special favors or contract advantages. These are reviewed by NASA’s Office of the General Counsel to ensure no conflict of interest or favoritism. 

Can I donate personal or intellectual property?

Yes, NASA accepts:

• Personal (Tangible) Property: Property of any kind, including equipment, materials, vehicles, and supplies, except real property
• Personal (Intangible) Property: Includes issued patents, assignments of copyright in creative works, trademarks, or other intellectual property. (This process is limited to the disposition or transfer of existing intellectual property assets and does not serve as a mechanism for submitting new inventions, innovations, concepts, or unsolicited proposals.)

All personal and intellectual property donations are processed through NASA Headquarters rather than individual centers.

• Requirements: Personal property donations must directly support NASA’s operations, research, or mission suitability.
• Details needed: When donating personal property, please provide a photo and as many details as possible for example: location, size/capacity, working condition.
• Costs: Donors must be prepared to deliver or ship the item(s)to NASA.

Can I donate land or real property?

Yes, NASA accepts:

• Real Estate: Land only

• Real Property: Land and property that is attached directly to land including buildings, structures air space, mineral and/or water rights, utility systems, improvements, and appurtenances permanently affixed to land.

All real estate donations are processed through NASA Headquarters Real Property Management Division rather than individual centers.

• Requirements: Real property donations must directly support NASA’s operations, research, or mission suitability.

• Details needed: When donating real property or real estate, please provide as many details as possible for example: location, size/capacity, estimated value.

• Costs: Donors must be prepared to cover the administrative and legal costs associated with transferring the title as part of the gift.

How can I make a monetary donation, and are there limits?

Paying online with Pay.gov is safe, secure, and the preferred method. Donations via regular post, certified mail, or wire payments are also accepted. Limits depend on the method used:

• Online (Pay.gov): The minimum donation is $5.01. Maximum limits are $24,999.99 for credit cards and $60,000,000.00 for debit card/bank (ACH) transfers.
• Mail: There is no minimum limit. Checks, or money orders can be sent to: NSSC Accounts Receivable NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) Building 1111, Jerry Hlass Road Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
• Wire Payments: Yes, NASA can receive wire payments. Please contact the NSSC Help Desk for questions and instructions.

(Note: Monetary gifts to the Agency are routed to the NSSC for deposit in the Gifts and Donations Trust Fund).

What is NASA Front Door?

• NASA Front Door provides access to a suite of NASA applications including NASA STEM Gateway, NASA Engages, NASA Special Events, and NASA Solve.

Does submitting the donation form mean my gift has been accepted?

• No. Submission of the form simply enables NASA to review your offer and does not indicate acceptance. NASA’s decision to accept a donation is discretionary. All intended gifts and donations must undergo a rigorous vetting process by NASA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) to ensure they are unsolicited, unconditional, and align with the agency’s mission and legal parameters. The Agency will decline any gift that does not align with the agency’s mission or violates legal parameters.

Will my donation be tax deductible?

• For the purposes of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, any unconditional gift or donation of services, money, or property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible accepted under 51 USC 20113(d) shall be considered as a gift, donation, devise, or bequest to or for the use of the United States. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional. 

What information do I need to provide in order to donate?

• We ask donors to complete a short form providing their name, address, description of the potential donation or gift amount. Additional specifications are included in the FAQs based on donation type.

Please Note:

• Gifts Must Be Unconditional: Monetary and non-monetary contributions are accepted as unconditional gifts to the agency (51 USC 20113 (d)). Any gifts or donations that have conditions, special requests, or imply a “quid pro quo” are prohibited by law and will be declined. Donations cannot be tied to any current or future contractual work, regulatory decisions, or pending procurement bids. Individual NASA Centers cannot accept real property directly, and monetary gifts to the Agency are routed to NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) for deposit in the Gifts and Donations Trust Fund (80X8980).
• Review Process: Submission of the non-monetary gift form simply enables NASA to review your offer and does not indicate acceptance. All proposed gifts undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure they align with the Agency mission and legal parameters.