Gift Acceptance Policy

Glasgow Caledonian University Foundation

Major Gift Acceptance Policy

Approved by Court December 2012

Donations Policy and Protocol for Glasgow Caledonian University

  1. This Policy and Protocol is in line with the University’s commitment to the Core Principles for Gift Acceptance as identified by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Europe, the Ross Group and the 1994 Group of Development Directors. The University will also observe this policy in conjunction with the Bribery Act of 2010.
  2. This Policy and Protocol will support the University to ensure that it has a useful and robust process in place, that is clear to all those with responsibility in the University for the assessment of large gifts in particular, and will support timely consultation to ensure the University does not accept donations that may present unacceptable levels of reputational or other risk.
  3. It will assist the University to ensure that it does not accept gifts that:
    • Are not legal
    • Are not aligned to GCU’s values, strategic goals or financial needs;
    • Present an unacceptable level of reputational risk or embarrassment
    • Impact academic freedom
    • Are too ‘donor led’ and drive funding towards projects or areas that are of low priority
    • Conflict with the terms and practice outlined in the University’s Ethical Investment Policy

    Process

  4. The following process is designed to identify potential donations, terms or situations before negotiations are too advanced or accepted. In this way the University should be able to consider and consult on potentially difficult issues before a gift is accepted.
  5. Gifts and situations where a formal report to the Executive Board would be produced:
    • All gifts of £100,000 or more.
    • All gifts where the donor has requested to remain anonymous.*
    • All gifts which have the potential to draw significant public attention – even where  they are less than £100,000 and have routine terms and purposes
    • All gifts of £50,000 or more where the purpose of the gift is not related to the core mission of the University
    • All gifts which raise concerns with regard to their appropriateness. Including:


    * Anonymous gifts assume that the donor is known to key figures in the University (normally to the Donations Review  Committee but as a minimum to the Vice Chancellor and the Chair of Court) but wishes to avoid wider publicity for their donation. The same standards of probity would however, be applied before such a gift was accepted.

    • Where the individual, company or organisation has a controversial reputation or is involved in activities or has associations with others which conflict with the ethos or views of GCU
    • Where the individual, company or organisation is associated with a point of view closely related to the purpose or aim for which the gift is given and academic independence may appear to be compromised
    • A current student, or someone identified explicitly as a parent/relative thereof, proposing a onation of £5,000 or more
    • An individual or a corporate gift of £100,000 or more which will endorse or reflect the name of the individual, company or organisation that is making the donation

    Process for review and reporting on donations of concern

  6. Where the Foundation staff or other University staff have concerns about a donation, or potential donation, which  appears to come under any of the above situations, in the first instance these will be referred to the Foundation Director for consideration and discussion.

  7. The Foundation Director will refer all decisions to her/his Executive Lead to confirm and agree where donations should be taken forward for further consideration.

  8. In the event that a potential/donation is considered to be of concern it will then be referred to a Review Committee.

  9. Review Committee Members: The Principal, the Senate Representative of Court, Chair of the Audit Committee (or  nominee) and the Executive Director of Finance.

  10. The Foundation Director will prepare and present a short paper outlining the facts to the review committee for  consideration. S/he will have no part in the decision process.

  11. The Review Committee will then make a recommendation in relation to the proposed/donation which will then be  reported to the Executive Board and then to Court.

Appendix 1: Designated areas of donor choice The ’Common Good’ fund:

This is the University’s annual fund for gifts that are otherwise unrestricted. Disbursement criteria  from this fund are in the public domain and include but are not limited to, support for the Student Scholarships and Awards, Club and Societies and to support students common good activity.

Scholarships:Restricted funds designated to students undertaking specific areas of study within the University’s curricula.

Magnus Magnusson Fund: Student Awards & Fellowships.

Created in memory of Magnus Magnusson, Student Awards fund students’ projects which support exploration, study, learning and personal growth. The Magnus Magnusson Fellowship enables GCU to host a small group of international leaders to come together and discuss the role of education in the alleviation of poverty.

Caledonian Club:

The University’s widening participation and community engagement initiative supporting work with schools, children and families in the community to raise educational aspirations in young people and their families; build key life skills and confidence in Club members and GCU student mentors; measure the impact of Club interventions to understand what really makes a difference.