If it comes with financial reporting and requires the return of unspent funds, then it is an exchange rather than a charitable contribution. We would not acknowledge an auditable project
as a charitable contribution, even if it meant we had to turn down the award.
If the foundation in question is willing to remove financial reporting and the return of unspent funds, then we could acknowledge it as a contribution. Facebook awards funds like this,
as I recall. They accept proposals and ask for a technical summary at the expected conclusion of the project, but they don’t ask for financial reports, don’t ask for funds to be returned, and don’t audit. We treat those “awards” as contributions.
But if the foundation you are working with is not willing to turn the project into a gift, then you really can’t acknowledge that they are giving you one.
HTH,
-Adam
Adam Kuehn
Assistant Director
Office of Research Support
919-681-8689
xxxxxx@duke.edu
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@LISTS.HEALTHRESEARCH.ORG]
On Behalf Of Kettner, Valrey
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2019 9:32 AM
To: xxxxxx@LISTS.HEALTHRESEARCH.ORG
Subject: [RESADM-L] Charitable contribution vs. grant
Greetings! Interesting question…We submitted a proposal to a Foundation, and have received a grant with standard language and reporting requirements, including
the return of unspent funds and interest in the event of early termination. One of the requirements of accepting the funds is a signature on an “Acknowledgement of Charitable Contribution” form. We have requested changing the acknowledgement to simply an
acknowledgement of receipt of funds, without identifying it as a charitable contribution, but were unsuccessful. Any helpful hints as to how other institutions have managed a situation like this?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks, and HAPPY FRIDAY!
Valrey V. Kettner
Associate Vice President/Sponsored Programs Administration
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Research 1
Dept. 4000, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Street / Delivery Address
1735 NDSU Research Park Dr.
Fargo, ND 58102
phone: 701.231.9608
fax: 701.231.7803
xxxxxx@ndsu.edu
www.ndsu.edu/research
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