Sponsorships & Donations

In an effort to maintain a consistent message, and a good professional relationship with all donors, and potential donors we have developed a Donor Solicitation Approval process for all student organizations to obtain sponsorships. The approval process works in conjunction with our External Relations office who is responsible for all solicitation. Many areas of the Viterbi School and University solicit funding from various corporations/individuals and this funding is vital to the life of the School. Because of this, it is important for us to present a unified front when approaching corporations for money.

Student organizations wishing to solicit funding from corporations or private donors must complete and submit the Donor Solicitation Approval form. Student organizations can begin contacting a company or individual directly only upon approval.

Obtaining Gifts

Most corporate, as well as private donors provide gifts to not only indicate their support a student organization, but also to take advantage of potential tax benefits. If you are approved to solicit funding from a corporation or individual the University must be involved in obtaining these funds.

The Viterbi Admission and Student Affairs Office will work with you on behalf of the University to obtain these funds on your behalf keeping the benefits to both your organization and the donor in mind. A Gift Account Coordinator from our office will be able to provide the USC Taxpayer ID number for the donor and is the only person who has the authority to sign off on a contribution statement (often provided by the donor). The Gift Account Coordinator will also ensure proper bookkeeping regarding each student organization’s individual account status (ledgers for deposits and expenses).

Viterbi Student Organization Gift Accounts

The Viterbi School has established a gift account for recognized student organizations to deposit their donations from company or individual donors. Depositing funds into this account accomplishes several things:

1. Provides the donor the eligible tax benefits through the required documentation on behalf of the University.
2. Ensures acceptance of these funds as the responsibility of the University rather than an individual student or student organization.
3. Removes all tax liability and filing requirements from an individual student or student organization.
4. While most university gift accounts require additional fees on gifts to be paid, we have established one gift account for use by all student organizations that have these fees waived.
5. Individual account ledgers for each student organization available for review upon request.

Spending from your Gift Account

To access funds in this account, each student organization will need to complete the Account Expense Form in order to process payment to a vendor or receive reimbursement. Subsequent Post Event Reports are also required within 5 business days of the expense date.
 

Donor Solicitation Approval
Download Form Submit Completed Forms via email to Louise Yates

Prompt Thank You notes are required to be sent to all donors within 5 business days of receipt of each gift.

Account Expense Forms
If your organization receives approval for funding from any of the above sources make sure to complete the Account Expense Form in order to process payment to a vendor or receive reimbursement.

Account Expense Form

Be sure to read all the instructions and make yourself with the University's Policies and Procedures related to all funding expenditures prior to completing the form.  All completed forms with proper supporting documentation should be submitted to the front desk of RTH 110.