Donating a stay to a charity auction

[Andrew Simms]

As many of you know, we recently launched our cabin in WNC for STR. We have been asked by a neighbor if we would consider donating a stay to a charity called WellRoot. It helps provide support services/housing for children in need. This is a Christian-based organization.

We have looked into this briefly and understand there's not any tax benefit to doing so. This would count against personal use for the year. We also wouldn't be able to screen whoever is staying.

We want to help, but I wanted to get some opinions from members on BP regarding this. 

[Bruce Woodruff]

I would be reluctant to open my house, i.e. business, to someone I don't know, can't check out and have no insurance to cover any losses. Way too much to lose just to have a feel good moment. Better to just donate money to the cause than take the risk IMO.

Now, if there were a way to run it through VRBO or AIR and then Venmo them back the money?

There's probably a way to do this, certainly not the first time this has been done.