Fundraising (Policy 1.150)

Policy

1. Requests for Donations:
   All requests for donations, whether of cash, equipment, real estate, or other items of value, made on behalf of Seminole State College shall have prior approval from the President or the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc.
   
   It shall be the responsibility of the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc.:
   1. To promote a clear understanding among potential donors of the needs of Seminole State College;
   2. To avoid conflict and duplication of effort in fundraising activities;
   3. To coordinate fundraising activities for the benefit of Seminole State College.
      
      
2. Acceptance of Donations:
   All gifts of cash, equipment, real estate, and other items of value shall be accepted through the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc., unless otherwise specified by the donor and then only with the prior approval of the President.
   
   
3. Evaluation of Cash and Non-cash Gifts:
   No gift shall be accepted by the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. or Seminole State College in cases where the gift, its intended use, or the identity of the donor might place the College in an embarrassing or compromising position.
   All gifts accepted by the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. or Seminole State College shall comply with Internal Revenue Service regulations governing charitable contributions and may not be restricted for the donor's direct benefit, nor shall any gift be accepted where restrictions make use of the gift impractical or prohibitively expensive.
   
   
4. Coordination with College Departments/Divisions:
   It shall be the responsibility of the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. to coordinate fundraising activities with the President and other college personnel to ensure that those efforts reflect priorities established by the College and produce results consistent with its mission and goals.
   In particular, the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. shall work closely with the following:
   1. Student Affairs and Financial Aid Department regarding gifts of scholarships
   2. College CFO or designee regarding gifts of real estate, capital needs or gifts of equipment intended for use by college support services personnel 
   3. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice Presidents, Deans, and Program Managers regarding gifts of equipment or other contributions intended for instructional support and scholarships for the benefit of specific programs or areas of study
   4. Department of Athletics regarding any contributions intended for program support and scholarships for athletics
      
      
5. Management/Disposition of Gifts:
   It shall be the responsibility of the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. to invest or otherwise manage gifts of cash, securities, and other assets to maximize their intended benefit to Seminole State College.
   
   Donations of gifts in kind may be accepted by the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. according to the guidelines provided in the Foundation's policies and procedures.
   
   
6. Acknowledgment/Record Keeping:
   It shall be the responsibility of the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc. to promptly and appropriately acknowledge all gifts to the Foundation for Seminole State College, Inc., to keep accurate and complete records of donors, gifts and their purposes and restrictions, and to ensure that those purposes and restrictions are complied with to the fullest extent practicable.
   
   
7. Recognition & Naming
   1. The Board of Trustees has the authority to approve donor recognition, memorials, tributes, and naming gifts for Facilities and institutional elements.
      1. Institutional Elements includes but is not limited to colleges, programs, institutes, centers or schools of the College.
      2. Facilities or Institutional Elements may be named in recognition of a significant donation or for the purpose of honoring individuals or groups for their significant service to the College or to the community.
      3. The Foundation for Seminole State in partnership with the President may develop practices and guidelines regarding donations and requirements in connection with the naming of facilities, including the number of years the name is applied, the amounts of expected donation, and the specifications required for recognition.
      4. The Board reserves the right to revoke the naming of a facility, institutional element, or remove a recognition.
         
         
   2. Appropriate signage, physical designations, and online references shall fall in line with the campus standard as agreed upon by Marketing, Facilities, and the Foundation.
      1. Signage design and installation will be executed by College departments in keeping with the design standards established by the Foundation and with their approval. College departments will carry out ongoing care and maintenance of physical markers.
         
         
   3. The President shall cause procedures to be developed to implement this policy if necessary.

Rulemaking Authority and Law(s) Implemented: Florida Statutes §§1004.70, 1001.64, 1001.65, and Policy 1.010

History – Adopted 6/2002, Revised 12/2004, 5/2009, 8/2011, 9/2025