There is an ongoing need for private support to enhance the educational programs and facilities and to support the students and faculty at Kennesaw State University. Gifts from individuals and private organizations represent a significant source of otherwise unmet financial need, and are regularly called upon to provide resources for the campus. In order to maximize gift support from these constituents for KSU’s prioritized needs and goals and preserve institutional relationships, clear procedures have been put in place to coordinate development activities. These procedures are not intended to be restrictive, but rather to ensure efficient and effective fund raising by all involved. Individuals or groups who have a demonstrated need and desire to engage in fund-raising activities are encouraged to do so under the guidelines of this policy. The Office of Development serves as the official representative of the university on all matters related to private giving, and is responsible for clearing, coordinating and conducting efforts to increase KSU’s private support. The staff works closely with the KSU Foundation, which is the 501/c/3 organization created to receive and manage gifts on behalf of the University, as well as the KSU Alumni Association. The KSU Foundation recognizes the University’s policy on coordinated development and its importance to effective fund raising. The KSU Foundation’s Policy Manual contains additional operational procedures concerning gift acceptance, pertaining especially to gifts-in-kind and planned gifts. Individuals contemplating fund raising activities in those areas may wish to contact either the Office of Development or the KSU Foundation Office to familiarize themselves with such policies and procedures. Solicitation Clearance While positive interactions with faculty, staff and students are often an important part of the fund raising process, it is imperative that gift solicitation first be cleared by the Office of Development. The Office of Development maintains a campus-wide list of both individuals and organizations that are potential, prior or current contributors. With the goal of maximizing support to the university, the Office of Development staff works to manage and nurture institutional relationships with donors and potential contributors on an on-going basis. Focused cultivation and solicitation clearance and approval ensures that planned or pending gift activities are not compromised; that gift potential is maximized; and that donor relationships are cultivated, recognized and stewarded appropriately for the long-term benefit of KSU. Faculty and staff interested in soliciting funding or in-kind gifts from alumni, friends, trustees, corporations or private (non-government) foundations must have the advance approval of the Office of Development. Simply call the Office of Development at 770.423.6027 and ask to speak with a development officer before initiating such activity. Proposed solicitations should also have the prior approval of the appropriate dean or vice president to ensure outreach is being undertaken with unit and institutional priorities in mind. Cultivation and Solicitation Once a prospective donor is identified and clearance to approach is obtained, the Office of Development staff may play a significant role in developing and participating in donor cultivation and solicitation strategies. Faculty and staff should seek a consultation meeting with the appropriate development director: annual giving, corporate relations, foundation relations, planned giving and major gifts, to discuss the cultivation or solicitation of a prospective donor. Depending upon the level of proposed gift and the donor, the development director also may assist with constituent research, promotional materials, proposal writing, a solicitation meeting, a gift agreement and the staging of recognition events. Gift Agreements The Office of Development is responsible for developing, coordinating and approving gift agreements. Gift agreements are most often used when establishing endowments, e.g., scholarships, fellowships, professor¬ships and chairs, and thus require certain language pertaining to the KSU Foundation since the Foundation invests endowment principle. Gifts-in-kind, especially gifts of real estate, may require prior approval of the KSU Foundation Gift Acceptance Committee and/or the Campus Art/In-Kind Gift Committee. Planned gifts, e.g., estate bequests, trusts, gift annuities, etc., typically require more detailed gift agreements and should be coordinated with the Director of Planned Giving in the Office of Development. Donors or their representatives should contact the Office of Development to begin the process of developing a gift agreement or discussing a planned gift or gift-in-kind. The Office of Development works closely with the KSU Foundation to ensure that both donors and institutional interests are protected. Gift Pledges KSU permits, on a case-by-case basis, two-to-five year pledges for major gifts, i.e., gifts at the $10,000 level or above. Such pledges must be secured in writing and recorded by the Office of Development, which will then be responsible for generating pledge reminders and processing pledge payments. Gift Acceptance Gifts to KSU in any form, with the exception of gifts-in-kind, obtained and accepted by any member of the KSU faculty, administration or staff, are to be transmitted to the Office of Development or the KSU Foundation within two days of receipt. Matching gift forms should also be sent to the Office of Development to be signed by the authorized agent in accordance with corporate matching gift guidelines. Naming Opportunities The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has established specific minimum gift levels for endowments and their naming, as well as additional recommended guidelines for the naming of physical facilities. Additionally, KSU has a set of guidelines for programmatic and other naming opportunities. To ensure compliance with these guidelines, no program or physical entity will be named or promised to be named without prior approval by the Office of the President of Kennesaw State University, in conjunction with the Office of Development. Gift Acknowledgement All gifts to KSU and/or the KSU Foundation, made in accordance with the policies described above, will be acknowledged in the annual report of private giving. Additionally, specific campus-wide donor acknowledgement guidelines and policies exist for endowed gifts, programmatic gifts, buildings and other tangible spaces, single gifts of $100,000 or greater, and lifetime giving levels of $500,000 or greater. Please contact the Office of Development for a detailed description of these guidelines. Permanent three-dimensional donor walls for single gifts at the $100,000 or greater level are located in the Carmichael Student Center. Lifetime giving at the $500,000 level or greater is acknowledged on a donor wall located in the lobby of Kennesaw Hall. Development-Oriented Publications The Office of Development must review any publication relating to development activity prior to publication and dissemination to ensure that the university priorities and policies are being accurately represented.
Reference: 2008-2009 Faculty Handbook, Personnel, Fiscal, and Institutional Policies (Section Seven, pages 7.68-7.70)
Meet the Directors of Development
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