If our small church would like to pay for a member's roof to be fixed as a charitable gift, can we do that? Can we just write a check to pay the repairman? We're in Texas.
The site below is an good booklet that will help you with your giving. If you do it wrong your members will not be able to have a tax deduction.
http://www.gabaptist.org/FAITHNETWORK_UserFileStore/filecabinet/ministries/237e6518-ae1d-4db3-844a-2959aa6966fc/church_financial_services/cfs_benevolencebooklet2012.pdf
If you are ever unsure just call the IRS they are helpful