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  • 1.  Gift vs. Sponsored Research

    Posted 12-19-2022 11:20 AM
    We have received a large grant from an institute, and are currently having what sounds like the very common debate, 'Is Advancement allowed to record this grant?'  So I'm very appreciative of the various discussions on this listserv around this topic.

    In line with what this particular conversation touched on, it sounds like a Grant does not have to be a charitable donation in order to be recorded by Advancement. And the fact that in the award letter the institute clearly states "This is a grant, it is not a gift" also doesn't preclude Advancement from recording the grant.  As long as other conditions are met (ie it's not a contract, etc), the institute stating that it's not a gift doesn't mean we're not allowed to record it in Advancement.  

    Am I interpreting this correctly?



    --
     Gwen Donev

    Director of Advancement Services

    Gustavus Adolphus College

    800 West College Avenue

    Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082

     

    Email:  gwendonev@gustavus.edu

    Office:  507.933.6515



  • 2.  RE: Gift vs. Sponsored Research

    Posted 12-19-2022 12:16 PM

    Hi Gwen,

     

    Sometimes sponsored research is recorded in the donor database if sponsored research is part of advancement, but those grants are coded so that they are not included as philanthropic nor counted in fundraising totals. Other institutions (usually larger ones in my experience) will maintain a separate database for recording sponsored research that may have functionality geared towards that work like the ability to bill for work completed, etc...

     

    If you are an institution that records it in a separate database, you probably won't also record it in your donor database. The exception to this might be if the reporting capabilities in your donor database is superior or if there is a desire to have the reporting all come from one place. Otherwise it would just be redundant entry and create the possibility of confusion when reconciling incoming dollars with accounting.

     

    Hope that helps,

     

    Thanks

     

    John Smilde

    Director of Gifts and Records Administration

    Advancement and Alumni Relations

    George Mason University

    4400 University Drive, MSN 1A3

    Fairfax, VA 22030

    703.993.8680

    jsmilde@gmu.edu

     

    This electronic message contains confidential information which is, in whole or in part,

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    §2.2-3705.4.7. of the Code of Virginia.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     




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