Gifts, Donations, and Gift Pledges to the University

Policy 2:130: Gifts, Donations, and Gift Pledges to the University

Adopted: 03/2005
Revised: 07/13/2017
Updated: 12/11/2020; 12/18/2023; 08/26/2025

Responsible Office(s):
Division of Finance
Advancement

POLICY STATEMENT

The University solicits and receives gifts from multiple sources and for a variety of purposes. The Vice Chancellor for Advancement oversees this process. All solicitation plans require approval of the Advancement Services Office.

The University has implemented a fee assessment to support the costs of advancement activities. The rates may be adjusted with the appropriate level of approval.

  • Annual Endowment Management Assessment: (This rate is approved by the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri.) A fee of 1.25% charged on the fair market value of fully funded endowments.
  • Upfront Administrative Gift Assessment: (This rate is approved by the Chancellor of the University of Missouri.) A fee of 5% charged on the fair market value of the new gift or endowment contribution, including those received on behalf of affiliated entities. The donor will receive credit for the full amount of their gift. Realized estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, pooled income funds, gifts to pay insurance premiums, and non-cash gifts are excluded from the assessment unless specifically authorized by the donor. The first $500,000 generated by the assessment of the fee in each fiscal year will be dedicated to the central Advancement function. Any additional assessment above $500,000 will go to support the advancement activities in the College/School/Division where the gift originated.

DEFINITION

A gift is defined as cash, security, or an item of value that is given to the University for which the donor does not receive any benefit in return.

PROCEDURES

The following procedures assist in ensuring compliance with the above policy:

Cash/Checks Gifts

All cash/check gifts and supporting documents should be directed to the Advancement Records Management Shared Services (ARM) for processing at 407 Reynolds Alumni Center. The gifts are deposited using a Cash Receipts Report (CRR) and recorded in the Advancement Clearing MoCode C4779 and account 480050. ARM preparers should complete the Advice of Gift section on the Gift CRR and take the original check and CRR to the Division of Finance-Cashiers for deposit (or direct deposit if appropriate).

ARM will also record the gift in the Advance System. Only after the gift has been recorded will a journal entry be prepared by the ARM office to move the money, less the Upfront Administrative Gift Assessment, from the Advancement Clearing MoCode to the MoCode designated on the Advice of Gift Section of the Gift CRR.

Securities Gifts

Deliver any stock certificates or other securities received as gifts to the Office of Gift Planning and Endowments at 302 Reynolds Alumni Center for processing. If the gifts will be received electronically, notify the Office of Gift Planning and Endowments (email: giftplanning@missouri.edu) with the following information:

  • Donor’s name
  • Name of stock
  • Number of shares
  • Chartfield to receive the gift credit

The Treasurer’s Office and ARM will process the gift and record it in the general ledger.

Real Property (land, homes, farms, etc.)

Notify the Office of Gift Planning and Endowments they will forward the information to the appropriate individuals in the ARM office. The ARM office coordinates with the Division of Finance and Business Services office for an evaluation of the proposed gift. After the gift is accepted, the ARM office records the gift in their Advance System and the general ledger.

Gifts in Kind (books, equipment, art treasures, coin collections, etc.)

Complete “Advice of Gift Received” UM9A, attach Fair Market Value (FMV) information from the donor, and forward both to the ARM office at 407 Reynolds Alumni Center or email to giftprocessing@missouri.edu no later than 24 hours after receipt. The ARM office records the gift in their system, which feeds an entry to the general ledger.

RESOURCES
Forms

Cross References

Contact Information

University Advancement
407 Reynolds Alumni Center
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-5154
Toll-free: 866-267-7568
Email: giftprocessing@missouri.edu