University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: Fundraising in a Professional Manner
Policy Number: LR 206.3
Effective Date: June 10, 1998
Revised Dates: –
Most Recent Review Date: –
If the university is to succeed in raising private donations, it is imperative to approach fundraising in a coordinated and professional manner. Companies and individuals resent being approached by several areas of the university in the same year. In order to avoid an awkward or embarrassing situation for both donors and university personnel, employees must all follow certain procedures in every request for funds for the university.
- Any member of the faculty or staff who plans to approach a business or an individual to ask for a donation of any size must first discuss these plans with the Office of Development. The colleges and the administration establish funding priorities with the Development Office, and often have relevant and important information about successfully contacting specific businesses and individuals.
- All checks for donations to the university must be made out to the “UA Little Rock Foundation” with a designation on the memo line as to what department, scholarship, or program should receive the funds.
- Checks should not be made out to UA Little Rock, specific departments, or specific programs. Since this is a requirement of the IRS, any other designation can cause serious delays in check processing and inconvenience for the donor. There are very few exceptions to the regulation that checks be made out to the UA Little Rock Foundation. If you have questions, please call the Office of Development at 501-916-6429.
- Every check received must be delivered to the Office of Development within three working days to insure prompt deposit and acknowledgment of the gift. UA Little Rock has been written up by the state auditors for a lax approach to depositing such funds.
It is extremely unlikely that a company that has just made a large gift to the university will look favorably on a second, unrelated request. Similarly, several smaller requests can derail efforts to raise support for a major new program or initiative. Just as all grant applications are coordinated through ORSP, all fund-raising efforts must be coordinated through the Office of Development. If there are any questions concerning efforts in this area, please discuss them with the Office of Development.
Source: University-wide Administrative Memo, June 10, 1998
Status: Active
Approved By: Office of Development
Originator:
Custodian: Office of Development