Gift Acceptance Policy
Introduction
The Development Office, along with key senior staff, led by the Vice-Chancellor, actively
pursue the solicitation and acceptances of gifts that support the mission of the University.
The following policy (Policy) shall apply to all gifts offered to, and received by the
University for any of its departments, centres and programmes.
Purpose of Policy
The Policy is designed to define University practices and policies governing the acceptance
of gifts based upon the application and interpretation of the following principles:
Principle 1: A gift shall not be accepted unless it is compatible with the mission
of the University
Principle 2: A gift shall not be accepted if there are reasonable grounds for
believing, or there is evidence that, the gift may be comprised or derived from
funds arising from an illegal activity, fraud, or the evasion of taxation.
Principle 3: A gift shall not be accepted if it brings with it conditions which restrict
academic freedom.
Principle 4: A gift shall not be accepted if there is evidence that its acceptance
would require the University to undertake any action in contravention to national
or EC regulation or which would create, in the reasonable opinion of the Gift
Acceptance Committee, an unacceptable conflict of interest or exposes the
University to financial or legal liability.
General Policy
The University will accept unrestricted gifts and gifts for specific programmes and
purposes provided that such gifts are consistent with the University’s stated mission and
do not violate the terms of its Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations. Such gifts
will be routinely processed with the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
In addition to the above stated Principles, prior to accepting such a gift, the University will
also consider the following:
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Does the gift require unacceptable expenditure of additional University resources?
Could acceptance of the gift expose the University to undue adverse publicity or
reputational risk?
The Director of Development, Communication and Strategy shall be responsible for
reviewing all gifts where there are restrictions which:
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are inconsistent with the University’s stated academic purposes and priorities.
may inhibit the University from seeking gifts from other donors.
involve unlawful discrimination (for example, based on race, religion, gender, age,
nationality, colour, disability or upon any other basis prohibited by law).
require the University to provide special consideration for admission to the
University for the donor or designate.
require the University to deviate from its usual hiring, promotion, and contracting
procedures.
In the case of potential gifts which may conflict with any or all of the above guidelines, the
Director of Development, Communication and Strategy shall refer such gifts to the Gift
Acceptance Committee who will make a decision on acceptance, or otherwise, of the gift.
The Director of Development, Communication and Strategy shall refer any other proposed
gifts to the Gift Acceptance Committee at his/her discretion and will routinely report to
this Committee on the nature and type of gift offered to, and received by the University
in the preceding period, including those gifts that involve unusual funding arrangements,
that require consultation with departments, or that are proposed with restrictions.
The Chair of the Gift Acceptance Committee shall receive a monthly report itemising all
gifts to consider whether any other gifts (of whatever value) should be referred to other
committee members.
Gift Acceptance Committee
The Gift Acceptance Committee shall consist of:
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The Registrar (Chair)
The Director of Finance and Financial Strategy
A representative of the Senate, typically the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Development
A lay member of the University Council
The Gift Acceptance Committee shall typically meet by telephone conference or conduct
business via email. Three of the four members of the Gift Acceptance Committee,
including the first two members listed, shall constitute a quorum.
The Registrar shall consult with the Vice-Chancellor and the Director of Development,
Communication and Strategy prior to any meeting of the Gift Acceptance Committee and
a briefing will be provided for members by the Development and Alumni Relations Office,
including reasonable due diligence on the donor, in advance of any meeting. Where
Department
Address
Address
Address
Coventry CV4 8UW UK
T (0)24 7615 xxxxx
F (0)24 7615 xxxxx
E youremail@warwick.ac.uk
www.warwick.ac.uk
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appropriate, the Director of Development will be called to participate in meetings of the
Gift Acceptance Committee.
Anonymous donations
The University will be open and transparent regarding the sources and purposes of gifts it
receives. In cases where a donor wishes to remain anonymous, such anonymity will be
respected.
Refunds
Any refunds requested from donors must be approved by The Gift Acceptance Committee.
Please send any refund requests to Director of Development, Communication and
Strategy in the first instance where they will seek the approval of the refund from The Gift
Acceptance Committee. This is to ensure a transparent process is carried out for incoming
and outgoing donations.
Department
Address
Address
Address
Coventry CV4 8UW UK
T (0)24 7615 xxxxx
F (0)24 7615 xxxxx
E youremail@warwick.ac.uk
www.warwick.ac.uk
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