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  • 1.  Donor control?

    Posted 08-19-2024 11:32 AM

    Hello!

    We have a faculty member who also serves as the CTO of a local corporation. This corporation has sent a $25,000 donation to support the college's work, specifically for the faculty member who is the CTO.

    Along with the donation, we received a Conflict of Interest Disclosure.

    Is this disclosure adequate for us to consider the donation a gift without donor control.

    Thank You in advance!



    ------------------------------
    Diane Kucera
    Director, Records and Gift Administration
    Southern Methodist University
    dkucera@smu.edu
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Donor control?

    Posted 08-19-2024 11:46 AM
    Hey there, Diane - 

    Conflict of interest indeed. Can you clarify a bit more on what is meant by "for the faculty member"? I can see two potentially significant conflicts of interest from the SMU perspective which might merit input from your General Counsel. If the $25K is either going directly to support the faculty member's salary and/or going into a fund over which s/he has direct budget authority, then those points should - IMHO - be addressed asap. 

    Good luck and best regards,

    Amy





  • 3.  RE: Donor control?

    Posted 08-19-2024 11:59 AM

    Thanks, Amy

    In regards to the faculty member, the gift is be made to a particular college at SMU to "further support the efforts of the professor and his work pertaining to X and Y".

    The school is moving towards more corporate-oriented endeavors so this is in line with those goals.

    I'm unsure if he has control over the budget or not, but if necessary I can find out. It is not meant to support his salary in any way.



    ------------------------------
    Diane Kucera
    Director, Records and Gift Administration
    Southern Methodist University
    dkucera@smu.edu
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Donor control?

    Posted 08-19-2024 01:01 PM
    Hello again, Diane - 

    Good to know this isn't salary support. I agree with John's note that there is likely a gift opportunity here as long as the COI is signed an everyone on both sides is comfortable. That said, I would still be concerned if the faculty person has unchallenged budget control over whichever fund into which this revenue might be directed. 

    Have a great afternoon - Amy



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Donor control?

    Posted 08-19-2024 11:54 AM
    The gift is probably acceptable if it does not benefit the faculty member. It also sounds like the faculty member should sign the COI.

    John

    John H. Taylor, Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier Street
    Durham, NC     27705

    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987






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