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[EXTERNAL] [FUNDSVCS] Foundation grants w/repayment conditions

  • 1.  [EXTERNAL] [FUNDSVCS] Foundation grants w/repayment conditions

    Posted 05-26-2019 02:44 PM
    ASU 2018-08 will change the accounting approach. ASU 2018-08 looks at whether a grant is conditional or not and two conditions must be met for it to be conditional and not an outright gift. A grant is determined to be conditional if there is a right of return and if there is a barrier or hurdle to be overcome in order to be entitled to the resources. The barrier or hurdle exists without regard to its remoteness or likelihood to happen. The existence of a right of return is not offset by any likelihood that the right would not be enforced. This means that that the grants that have both elements are not contributions from an accounting perspective with immediate recognition, it defers recognition until barriers are overcome. From an operating perspective this may lead to those grants being shifted over to your institution rather than being housed at the foundation but you would still count them by CASE rules. Just another reconciling item between the two. Bob Swanson, CPA Controller Bowling Green State University 1851 N. Research Drive Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 rswanso@bgsu.edu<mailto:rswanso@bgsu.edu> w 419.372.8597 From: Advancement Services Discussion List <FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG> On Behalf Of John Taylor Sent: Friday, May 24, 2019 7:49 PM To: FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [FUNDSVCS] Foundation grants w/repayment conditions This IS a contribution from a gift counting perspective. But in theory, you cannot count any funds until they are irrevocably yours - meaning they must have been spent (in these cases) without any requirement to return spent funds in the future. How your Business Office chooses to recognize the transaction on the general ledger is up to them. In the fundraising database, it remains acceptable to record and count those funds you have no potential obligation to return. John John H. Taylor Principal, John H. Taylor Consulting 2604 Sevier St. Durham, NC 27705 johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com<mailto:johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com> 919.816.5903 (cell/text) Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987 On Fri, May 24, 2019 at 7:30 PM Donna Koopman <donna.koopman@colostate.edu<mailto:donna.koopman@colostate.edu>> wrote: Hi Alan, et. al, We often receive foundation gift agreements that include stipulations to repay the full amount of the grant if certain highly unlikely conditions occur within a specific time frame. Conditions such as... ceasing to be a 501(c)(3), failing to comply with terms and conditions of the grant, merging with another organization, etc. In the past these stipulations did not negate our ability to accept the funding as a gift because the likelihood of these things happening were determined to be negligible. We're now being told by our business office that we cannot accept this funding as a gift AT ALL. I'm told this is due to a recent FASB clarification (2018-08.) I have read the fine-print of this looong document and it seems to me (not an accountant) there might be a misunderstanding... is FASB saying it's NOT a contribution, OR are they telling our business office to record it as deferred liability or refundable advance instead of contribution revenue? (until the stipulated time period has passed, when they can then change it over to contribution revenue?) Any thoughts on this? Any one else hear similar from their accounting/business offices? Does it matter how long the period is, i.e. is one year okay, but if the foundation is stipulating five years, that's too long? Feel free to reach out to me directly with any insight. thank you in advance! dk ================================== Donna K. Koopman, Managing Director Constituent & Gift Information University Advancement | Colorado State University 970-491-3416 On Wed, 22 Aug 2018 20:59:40 +0000, Hejnal, Alan <HejnalA@SI.EDU<mailto:HejnalA@SI.EDU>> wrote: >Since I’m not sure I’ve seen it mentioned here, the Financial Accounting Standards Board has a recent accounting standards update, Accounting Standards Update 2018-08<https://www.fasb.org/jsp/FASB/Document_C/DocumentPage?cid=1176170810258>, that addresses distinguishing contributions from exchange transactions, and also identifying and handling conditional gifts. > >I have to run, but it might be worth a look, if you haven’t seen it already. > >My US$0.02 worth; the usual disclaimers apply. > >Good luck! > >Alan > >Alan S. Hejnal >Data Quality Manager >Smithsonian Institution - Office of Advancement >600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 600E >P.O. Box 37012, MRC 527 >Washington, DC 20013-7012 >•: 202-633-8754 | •: HejnalA@si.edu<mailto:HejnalA@si.edu><mailto:HejnalA@si.edu<mailto:HejnalA@si.edu>> >[SNAGHTML5cbfa34]<https://www.si.edu/> [AASP_FundSvcs_LOGO-01(040pct)(mark)] > > >From: Advancement Services Discussion List <FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG>> On Behalf Of Greenbaum, Josh S >Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 9:41 AM >To: FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG<mailto:FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG> >Subject: Re: [FUNDSVCS] Gifts/Grants in Sponsored Research > > >The clawback language doesn't negate the charitable nature of the transaction. Technically it is legally required to be in award letters (although that isn't always the case). Unless they are saying they can take back more than just unexpended funds, you are fine to count it. > > > >_____________________ > >Joshua S. Greenbaum 09B, Executive Director Development & Alumni Information Services Emory University, Development & Alumni Relations > >1762 Clifton Road, Office 1456, Atlanta, GA 30322 > >Office: (404) 712-2020, Fax: (404) 727-4876 josh.greenbaum@emory.edu<mailto:josh.greenbaum@emory.edu><mailto:josh.greenbaum@emory.edu<mailto:josh.greenbaum@emory.edu>> > > > >This email (including any attachments) and/or report is proprietary and confidential information belonging to Emory University and should be shared or discussed with, or disseminated to, only those Emory University personnel, contractors, consultants, or volunteers who are authorized to have access to the information for Emory University business. Any data in this email (including any attachments) and/or report should be handled in accordance with Development and Alumni Relations' Policy on Reporting. > > > > > > > >


  • 2.  Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: [FUNDSVCS] Foundation grants w/repayment conditions

    Posted 05-30-2019 07:54 AM
    We've had this challenge in the past as well, but have mostly overcome it if we include a statement from the beneficiary fund's signature authority expressing their intent/plan to spend the entire donation in question within the current fiscal year (or other appropriate timeframe). _______________________________________________ Amber R. Gichard | Director of Fund & Gift Services University of Alaska Foundation Phone: 907.786.1016 Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. http://www.alaska.edu/foundation *The University of Alaska Foundation seeks, secures and stewards philanthropic support to build excellence at the University of Alaska. * On Sun, May 26, 2019 at 7:43 AM Bob Swanson <rswanso@bgsu.edu> wrote: > ASU 2018-08 will change the accounting approach. > > > > ASU 2018-08 looks at whether a grant is conditional or not and two > conditions must be met for it to be conditional and not an outright gift. > > > > A grant is determined to be conditional if there is a right of return > *and* if there is a barrier or hurdle to be overcome in order to be > entitled to the resources. The barrier or hurdle exists without regard to > its remoteness or likelihood to happen. The existence of a right of return > is not offset by any likelihood that the right would not be enforced. > > > > This means that that the grants that have both elements are not > contributions from an accounting perspective with immediate recognition, it > defers recognition until barriers are overcome. > > > > From an operating perspective this may lead to those grants being shifted > over to your institution rather than being housed at the foundation but you > would still count them by CASE rules. Just another reconciling item between > the two. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Bob Swanson, CPA > > Controller > > Bowling Green State University > > 1851 N. Research Drive > > Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 > > > > rswanso@bgsu.edu > > w 419.372.8597 > > > > > > > > *From:* Advancement Services Discussion List < > FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG> *On Behalf Of *John Taylor > *Sent:* Friday, May 24, 2019 7:49 PM > *To:* FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG > *Subject:* [EXTERNAL] Re: [FUNDSVCS] Foundation grants w/repayment > conditions > > > > This IS a contribution from a gift counting perspective. But in theory, > you cannot count any funds until they are irrevocably yours - meaning they > must have been spent (in these cases) without any requirement to return > spent funds in the future. > > > > How your Business Office chooses to recognize the transaction on the > general ledger is up to them. In the fundraising database, it remains > acceptable to record and count those funds you have no potential obligation > to return. > > > > John > > > > John H. Taylor > > Principal, John H. Taylor Consulting > > 2604 Sevier St. > > Durham, NC 27705 > > johntaylorconsulting@gmail.com > > 919.816.5903 (cell/text) > > > > Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987 > > > > > > On Fri, May 24, 2019 at 7:30 PM Donna Koopman <donna.koopman@colostate.edu> > wrote: > > Hi Alan, et. al, > > We often receive foundation gift agreements that include stipulations to > repay the full amount of the grant if certain highly unlikely conditions > occur within a specific time frame. Conditions such as... ceasing to be a > 501(c)(3), failing to comply with terms and conditions of the grant, > merging with another organization, etc. > > In the past these stipulations did not negate our ability to accept the > funding as a gift because the likelihood of these things happening were > determined to be negligible. > > We're now being told by our business office that we cannot accept this > funding as a gift AT ALL. I'm told this is due to a recent FASB > clarification (2018-08.) I have read the fine-print of this looong > document and it seems to me (not an accountant) there might be a > misunderstanding... is FASB saying it's NOT a contribution, OR are they > telling our business office to record it as deferred liability or > refundable advance instead of contribution revenue? (until the stipulated > time period has passed, when they can then change it over to contribution > revenue?) > > Any thoughts on this? Any one else hear similar from their > accounting/business offices? Does it matter how long the period is, i.e. > is one year okay, but if the foundation is stipulating five years, that's > too long? > > Feel free to reach out to me directly with any insight. thank you in > advance! > > dk > > > ================================== > Donna K. Koopman, Managing Director > Constituent & Gift Information > University Advancement | Colorado State University > 970-491-3416 > > > > > > On Wed, 22 Aug 2018 20:59:40 +0000, Hejnal, Alan <HejnalA@SI.EDU> wrote: > > >Since I’m not sure I’ve seen it mentioned here, the Financial Accounting > Standards Board has a recent accounting standards update, Accounting > Standards Update 2018-08< > https://www.fasb.org/jsp/FASB/Document_C/DocumentPage?cid=1176170810258>, > that addresses distinguishing contributions from exchange transactions, and > also identifying and handling conditional gifts. > > > >I have to run, but it might be worth a look, if you haven’t seen it > already. > > > >My US$0.02 worth; the usual disclaimers apply. > > > >Good luck! > > > >Alan > > > >Alan S. Hejnal > >Data Quality Manager > >Smithsonian Institution - Office of Advancement > >600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 600E > >P.O. Box 37012, MRC 527 > >Washington, DC 20013-7012 > >•: 202-633-8754 | •: HejnalA@si.edu<mailto:HejnalA@si.edu> > >[SNAGHTML5cbfa34]<https://www.si.edu/> > [AASP_FundSvcs_LOGO-01(040pct)(mark)] > > > > > >From: Advancement Services Discussion List < > FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG> On Behalf Of Greenbaum, Josh S > >Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 9:41 AM > >To: FUNDSVCS@LISTSERV.FUNDSVCS.ORG > >Subject: Re: [FUNDSVCS] Gifts/Grants in Sponsored Research > > > > > >The clawback language doesn't negate the charitable nature of the > transaction. Technically it is legally required to be in award letters > (although that isn't always the case). Unless they are saying they can take > back more than just unexpended funds, you are fine to count it. > > > > > > > >_____________________ > > > >Joshua S. Greenbaum 09B, Executive Director Development & Alumni > Information Services Emory University, Development & Alumni Relations > > > >1762 Clifton Road, Office 1456, Atlanta, GA 30322 > > > >Office: (404) 712-2020, Fax: (404) 727-4876 josh.greenbaum@emory.edu > <mailto:josh.greenbaum@emory.edu> > > > > > > > >This email (including any attachments) and/or report is proprietary and > confidential information belonging to Emory University and should be shared > or discussed with, or disseminated to, only those Emory University > personnel, contractors, consultants, or volunteers who are authorized to > have access to the information for Emory University business. Any data in > this email (including any attachments) and/or report should be handled in > accordance with Development and Alumni Relations' Policy on Reporting. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >