Fundraising Priority Setting

Responsibility: Vice-President, University Relations 
Authorization: Board of Governors
Approval Date: May 11, 2001
Amended: Jun 26, 2013

It is imperative that fundraising efforts be coordinated at the University of Saskatchewan in a manner that serves the best interest of the institution as a whole and supports the University's priorities to the fullest extent possible. Coordinated fundraising efforts can strengthen the University's ability to conduct innovative research, to provide excellent teaching, and to enhance the quality of campus life.

While the ultimate selection of fundraising priorities rests with the President in consultation with the Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP) and the Board of Governors, there needs to exist simple mechanisms and procedures to ensure that all significant projects and proposals are reviewed and considered, that significant fundraising proposals are constructed in terms of the University's mission and strategic plan, that all fundraising efforts are compatible with University’s academic priorities, that approaches to donors are carefully coordinated through prospect clearance, and that the efforts of development officers are directed and informed by the University's priorities as well as the college(s), school(s), or administrative unit(s) priorities.

All fundraising initiatives must be vetted through an established process at the University of Saskatchewan. Projects must first be authorized by the appropriate college, school or administrative unit and contain a standard set of information to ensure that projects meet the strategic objectives and priorities. Projects of an interdisciplinary or cross-functional nature must be approved by all of the appropriate college(s), school(s), and/or administrative unit(s).

The exchange of information is essential to the effective coordination of fundraising activities and priorities, and will assist in ensuring the consistency of faculty plans with University plans and priorities.

Each college in their integrated planning will identify its proposed annual fundraising priorities and activities. These priorities will be shared with the Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP).  

All fundraising initiatives at the University of Saskatchewan require submission of a College Fundraising Project & Campaign Authorization form.

• Fundraising requests of $0 - $49,999 must be approved by the dean of the college(s), head of the school(s), or in the case of non-academic unit(s) the director/manager in accordance with the University’s Signing Authority Policy.  Fundraising proposals under $50,000 can be approved by a Dean but a College Fundraising Project & Campaign Authorization form must be completed and submitted.  Fundraising Proposals under $50,000 will be reviewed by the Development Project Approval Committee (DPAC).
• Fundraising requests of $50,000 to $999,999, once approved by dean of the college, head of the school or, in the case of non-academic units the director/manager in accordance with the University's Signing Authority Policy require approval from the Executive Director, Development, Advancement and Community Engagement to ensure the project is compatible with approved fundraising initiatives and that prospect clearance procedures are adhered to.  
• All new fundraising campaign requests of $50,000 to $999,999 must be presented to the Development Project Approval Committee (DPAC) for further discussion and consultation.  The Development Fundraising Project and Campaign Proposal Checklist (available to employees of Advancement and Community Engagement) outlines the information that is required in the proposals for further presentation to the Development Project Approval Committee (DPAC)
• All fundraising proposals of $1,000,000 and over, once approved by the dean of the college, head of the school or, in the case of non-academic units the director/manager in accordance with the University's Signing Authority Policy require approval from the Executive Director, Development, Advancement and Community Engagement.
• Completion and submission of a project/campaign proposal and further presentation to the Development Project Approval Committee (DPAC) is required.  The Development Fundraising Project and Campaign Proposal Checklist (available to employees of Advancement and Community Engagement) outlines the information that is required in the proposals. 
• The proposals are then reviewed and considered for institutional approval by Provost’s Committee on Integrated Planning (PCIP).
• The Provost’s Committee will consult on an on-going basis with the Planning Committee of Council and the Finance and Investment Committee of Board. 

Please complete the College Fundraising Project & Campaign Authorization form.   

All fundraising project and campaign requests/proposals are to be sent to dpac.ace@usask.ca

The submission and approval process and documentation required is further defined in the Development Project and Campaign Approval Process document (available to employees of Advancement and Community Engagement).

Proposals must contain:

• Project /Campaign Name
• Financial Target
• Budget  
• Project/Campaign Timeline (start/end dates) 
• Chart of Standards
• Identification of Lead Prospects/ solicitation strategies
• Risk Assessment
• Campaign Peers (volunteers/ staff/chairs/ committees)

Once a fundraising proposal has been formally approved, any solicitation of corporations, foundations, or individuals must conform to the University's Prospect Clearance Policies and Procedures, as managed by the Advancement and Community Engagement office (see "Prospect Assignment and Management.")