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The Trustees of Dartmouth College ("Dartmouth") appreciates and depends upon the generosity of our alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to support Dartmouth's mission. Gifts to Dartmouth can take many forms and serve different purposes. In order to be assured that Dartmouth is a responsible steward of these gifts and that these gifts are in the best interest of Dartmouth, the following policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to Dartmouth. These policies apply to all Dartmouth schools and programs.
The purpose of this policy is to define at a high-level the principles by which gifts will be accepted. This policy shall be implemented and overseen by the Gift Acceptance Committee, as set forth in further detail below. This policy shall be reviewed, and changes approved, by the Board of Trustees.
Gifts to Dartmouth will be determined to be acceptable based on the following principles:
The Advancement Division is responsible for the coordination of solicitations and the acceptance of gifts in compliance with this policy. Advancement will work with campus partners, volunteers, and volunteer organizations to ensure compliance with this policy and with all procedures adopted by Advancement to implement this policy. Gift acceptance authority is further outlined in Dartmouth's Signature Authority Policy.
The Advancement Division, in the management and reporting of gifts to Dartmouth, shall be guided by the standards of accounting and reporting established by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). All gifts and pledges will be recorded in compliance with IRS regulations and acceptable accounting practices.
Naming and Recognition
The naming of a scholarship, professorship or other position, building, program or space in honor of a donor, or for another person as requested by the donor, is the highest form of donor recognition available at Dartmouth, and celebrates the generosity of donors whose support is invaluable to Dartmouth's mission. Dartmouth naming guidelines are established and reviewed by the Gift Acceptance Committee.
Dartmouth reserves the right to revoke its commitment regarding a naming should any material adverse event create a situation in which the Board of Trustees determines the naming is detrimental to Dartmouth's reputation. This determination will be guided by Dartmouth's mission and core values. Dartmouth will make all reasonable efforts to inform, in advance, the original donors when a naming is being reviewed for revocation.
Donors to Dartmouth may be recognized online and in print publications unless they exercise the option to be recognized publicly as anonymous.
Acceptable Forms of Gifts
Dartmouth accepts many types of gifts. Some types are more easily handled than others, particularly those that can easily be converted to cash (i.e. liquid assets) such as U.S. currency, foreign currency, wire transfers, bank drafts, electronic fund transfers, checks, credit card charges, and payroll deductions. Publicly traded securities require special handling but are also considered to be one of the preferred methods of giving.
Other types of gifts, such as real estate, other tangible property, partnerships, royalties, and non-traditional investments, are generally accepted and in most cases welcomed by Dartmouth, however they require special handling, additional documentation, and consideration by the Gift Planning Office, often in partnership with the Investment Office, Real Estate Office, and the benefitting department.
Gift Acceptance Committee
Gifts that do not easily and readily meet the standards for acceptance as outlined elsewhere in this policy should be referred to the Gift Acceptance Committee for institutional review at the highest level. This Committee (Senior Vice President for Advancement, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Provost) reporting to the President, may withhold approval of acceptance, pending reviews and administrative research.