Guidelines
- UC Policy
- Administrative Guidelines
- Cash Handling Procedures
- Bylaws Requirements
- UC San Diego Policy
The University and the Board of Regents are indebted to volunteer groups and non-profit organizations for their invaluable assistance in fundraising, public outreach and other aspects of support for the University’s mission. As a public trust and as the beneficiary of these fundraising and outreach activities, the University is obligated to assure that the funds raised and the activities conducted on its behalf meet the required legal and fiduciary standards, and exemplify prudent business practices. To this end, The Regents issued the Policy on Support Groups, Campus Foundations and Alumni Associations on September 15, 1995 (amended on September 22, 2005).
These Administrative Guidelines are set forth to enlist the vitally important volunteer leadership of support groups in the implementation of the Policy and in the University’s stewardship of activities conducted in its name. The President or Chancellor may establish additional operational conditions, as appropriate, consistent with the Policy and these Guidelines.
Each Chancellor has designated an individual to serve as the liaison with campus support groups and their officers. Questions about these Guidelines should be addressed to the campus office of support group operations.
It is important to note that these Administrative Guidelines make a distinction between those organizations whose programs, assets and business operations are vested wholly with the University in departmental or agency accounts or in Campus Foundation agency accounts, and those whose assets are held outside the University or the Campus Foundation in external bank accounts. When a support group uses University departmental and agency accounts or Campus Foundation agency accounts, the disbursements must comply with University policy and procedure for fund use and review. By virtue of the policies and practices already in place, those groups with assets administered wholly within University and Campus Foundation accounts are deemed to be in compliance with University financial auditing and reporting requirements for support groups as outlined in Section IV (below), and therefore meet the minimum reporting standards. A group with externally-held assets is required to provide more comprehensive reports regarding stewardship of the external assets (Section V).
Support groups with financial assets held external to The Regents and/or the Campus Foundation shall abide by the following provisions:
At the request of the Chancellor, the President may consider an exception to these Guidelines based on a particular situation. However, no such exception shall void or liberalize the requirements for accounts with financial institutions to be approved pursuant to Section IV.A.9.b and c, above. The Chancellor shall recommend such an exception to the President in a letter that identifies the specific exception being requested and provides sufficient justification for approval.
The following policies specifically relate to support groups:
In accordance with the Political Reform Act of 1974, the University has adopted and promulgated the standard Conflict of Interest Code set out by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in Title 2, California Code of Regulations, Section 18730. The University of California Conflict of Interest Code is approved by the FPPC annually. Once approved, the University's Code has the force of law. (https://www.ucop.edu/general-counsel/legal-resources/conflict-of-interest-code.html)
If a campus is involved in NCAA competition, campus athletic support groups must follow NCAA rules regarding involvement and support of the campus athletic program. Support group members and all staff, faculty, alumni, friends and fans must observe the NCAA's strict rules to ensure fair recruitment and treatment of prospective and current student-athletes. Any violation of NCAA rules may jeopardize the status of a prospective or current student-athlete and may result in NCAA sanctions against the campus’s athletic program.
All support groups with accounts maintained by the University or the Campus Foundation shall comply with the Policy for Handling Cash and Cash Equivalents (BUS 49).
Each support group that maintains an account with any form of financial intermediary (i.e., an account other than a University- or Campus Foundation-managed agency account) shall conform to the following provisions:
To: Chancellor X (or designee)
From: [X Support Group]
This letter and the attached exhibits constitute the annual report to the Chancellor (or designee) for fiscal year 20XX-XX (or calendar year 20XX) from the [X Support Group] to confirm compliance with the University of California Policy on Support Groups, Campus Foundations and Alumni Associations approved by The Regents on September 15, 1995 (hereafter “the Policy”), as amended, and the Administrative Guidelines for Support Groups issued December 18, 2003, as amended.
Attached as Exhibit 1 is a current list of the organization’s officers, members of the Board of Directors (or other governing board), and the principal contact person for the organization.
Attached as Exhibit 2 is a statement of the organization’s purpose and goals and/or enabling documents. (The first year, the filing must contain a complete copy of bylaws, constitution, articles of incorporation and/or other governing documentation. In subsequent years, refer to the first year’s submission BUT attach copies of any changes or revisions to the enabling documents.)
Attached as Exhibit 3 is a current roster of names and addresses of donors to and members of the organization. (If such records are otherwise maintained by the University, a separate statement verifying that fact should be attached).
Attached as Exhibit 4 is a statement which lists the specific types of activities, including fundraising drives, the organization intends to undertake in the coming year, including the proposed budget for these activities and how the organization intends financially to support these activities.
Attached as Exhibit 5 is a list of all accounts held at any financial institution in the name of the organization, including the institution’s name and address and the account numbers.
Attached as Exhibit 6 is a statement signed by an appropriate officer or representative authorizing the University to obtain upon request from the financial institution all information, records, or photocopies of transactions relating to all account(s) held in the name of the organization. (See Appendix II-B)
For a separately incorporated tax-exempt organization:
Attached as Exhibit 7 is a copy of the organization’s most recent Internal Revenue Service Form 990 and annual financial statements.
The current members of the Board of Directors (or governing body) for the [X Support Group] have been provided with a copy of the Policy and Guidelines.
The Board of Directors (or governing body) has formally voted that it will comply with the Policy and Guidelines set forth by The Regents of the University of California and the Office of the President.
The [X Support Group] is in full compliance with said Policy and Guidelines and this letter and the attached exhibits contain true and correct information.
The [X Support Group] understands that compliance with the University’s Policy and Guidelines is a condition of continued acceptance and that any changes to the organization’s structure, purpose, and goals and/or enabling documents must be reported in a timely manner to the Chancellor (or designee).
Dated this _____ day of _____________ 20___.
[X Support Group]
By: ___________________ By: _____________________
Title: __________________ Title: ____________________
Exhibits are to be attached to this letter.
Statement Authorizing
The Regents of the University of California
to Obtain Confidential Bank Account Information
We, _________________ and _________________, as _________________ (title) and (title), respectively (the principals), of the [X Support Group], authorize agents of The Regents of the University of California to receive, upon written request, records and photocopies of confidential bank information from financial institutions for any and all accounts held under the name of the [X Support Group].
By: ________________ By: __________________
Title: _______________ Title: ________________