[markusk]

All organizations I've donated in the past gave me a receipt. This includes a car donated to Volunteers of America 3 years ago, 7 bags of clothes/sweaters to a homeless shelter 2 years ago, and tithing to my church every year.

I am not an expert in tax law, but I do know that a cancelled check to a church (or any religious organization) is NOT proof of a charitable gift. A receipt is required. My church, for example, give an "end-of-year" summary receipt to each person who give donations throughout the year.