Student Fundraising and Solicitation

Date: April 2022

Supersedes: April 2016, January 2010

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Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for student-related fundraising and solicitation activities. Student-related entities include, but are not limited to, student organizations, athletic teams, and academic classes.

Policy

All fundraising and solicitation efforts by students must be consistent with the College’s mission and comply with all other College policies. Fundraising activities must not compete with or jeopardize the College’s or the Foundation’s overall fundraising efforts to secure donors for gifts that support endowments, scholarship funds, operational needs and facilities. All monies and donations received must adhere to the College’s or Foundation’s accounting and reporting practices.

Definitions

Fundraising is the process of gathering voluntary contributions of money or other resources from individuals or entities.

Solicitation includes activities that request funds or donations from businesses, individuals, and organizations. Such requests include pledges, cash, corporate sponsorships, securities, items of property, donated services, gifts-in-kind, and deferred or planned gifts.

Procedure

Students of the College must have approval prior to conducting fundraising and solicitation activities, in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Fundraising and solicitation activities may only be conducted by recognized student entities such as athletic teams, classes, clubs, and organizations that are in good standing.
2. All solicitation and fundraising activities must be reviewed by the Foundation prior to approval by the area Vice President or Vice President designee, and this must occur prior to any solicitations or fundraising opportunities. If consultation from the Foundation does not occur within 5 business days of the original request, the original request will move to the Vice President or Vice President designee for review.
   1. The approval path for athletic teams is first through the Coach, then the Athletic Director, and then the area Vice President or Vice President designee. 
   2. The approval path for classes is first through the course instructor, then the Dean, and then the area Vice President or Vice President designee.
   3. The approval path for student clubs and organizations is first through the Club Advisor, then the Director of Student Life, and then the area Vice President or Vice President designee. 
3. The approval path for the use of crowdfunding platforms is first through a consultation with the Foundation.
   1. Based on the recommendation of the Foundation, the approval paths then move to the Director of Student Life for clubs, the Director of Athletics for athletic teams, the area Dean for classes, and finally the area Vice President or Vice President designee.
   2. No crowdfunding campaigns are permitted outside of Foundation and/or College platforms.
4. The approval paths for drives (i.e., coat drive, blanket drive, food drive, etc.) is through the Director of Student Life for clubs, the Director of Athletics for athletic teams, and the area Dean for classes.
5. Any donation or gift provided to classes, athletic teams, or student clubs should follow Foundation requirements if the donor requests charitable gift acknowledgement. This must be done prior to accepting the gift.