Ruth and RESADMers--

My institution has served as fiscal agent for local non-profits on a very
few occasions in the past.  In every case I can remember, it was a project
that we were involved in to some degree.  In one case, I wrote a proposal
for a small humanities grant on behalf of a local non-profit to support a
performance of an avant-garde musical group at the local bookstore. As I
recall, we wound up as the fiscal agent because I couldn't find the
organization's president in time to sign the proposal cover sheet. In
another, a local non-profit that had not yet received 501(c)3 status asked
us to be fiscal agent for a small, community-based project of their own
creation; we believed in it, and one of our faculty or staff was a board
member, so we agreed.

It's not something we actively seek to do, but--as these examples
show--are willing to do if (1) we are somehow involved in the project to
be funded, if only by staff connections, (2) believe in the aims and
purposes of whatever's being proposed and agree with the methodology, and
(3) are certain that it's all kosher.  Each of these has been a small,
local project with short timeframes, meaning that our investment of
accounting time is minimal.  I don't remember that we executed a
memorandum of understanding to define responsibilities, but it would
probably have been a good idea and I think we will next time.

Each of these projects concluded successfully, thank goodness.  We've
engaged in them primarily in support of our local community, and they've
turned out well.  We'll do it again, I'm sure.

But I suspect that your question is asking about serving as a long-term
fiscal agent for another organization.  I'd be reluctant to do that, I
think, unless there were some compelling reason to do so and I can't think
what that might be.  501(c)3 status is relatively easy to obtain.  But, if
there were a compelling reason, I think we would write an exhaustive MOU,
and we would charge some sort of administrative fee to cover our
accounting costs.

Regards, Bill

Bill Campbell
Director of Grants & Research
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
410 S. 3rd St.
River Falls, WI  54022
715/425-3195

> Hi all,
>
> Has anyone had experience with their organization serving as "fiscal
> agent" for a separate organization for the purpose of administering that
> organization's grant activity?  If so, I'd really appreciate some
> information/advice on how you defined that relationship, what sort of
> agreements were formalized, and what operational issues emerged.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ruth
>
> Ruth Farrell, Associate Vice President
> for Research Administration
> Office of Sponsored Programs
> 340 Waterman Building
> University of Vermont
> Burlington, VT 05405-0160
> voice 802-656-3360
> fax 802-656-1326
>
>
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