Gift Acceptance and Naming Recognition Guidelines

Naming recognition may be granted for gifts supporting many purposes, including program or operational support, capital projects, and endowment. Gifts recognized with naming privileges will be established with gift agreements that specify the fund or purpose to be supported, the naming recognition to be conferred, the amount of the gift, and the schedule of payments to be made.

Naming recognition is an honor granted by USA in gratitude for contributions (philanthropic or otherwise) that advance strategic priorities and address operational needs. The guidelines provided in Page 2 of 8 this document establish qualification values for various types of naming opportunities; these monetary values reflect a starting point for discussions regarding funding needs for generic categories of giving opportunity. Actual gift values for projects within a specific category of naming opportunities will vary as appropriate based on considerations of sustainability and budgetary requirements to achieve the specific purpose of each naming (e.g., to achieve its purpose of providing support for a leading faculty member, an endowed chair in biomedical research may require a higher funding level than one in communications). Therefore, each naming proposal should seek to define a market value at or above the qualification value for the category.

Note on Matching Funds: Matching funds from third-party donors may be applied toward qualification for a naming opportunity; however, if for any reason, the anticipated third-party matching funds are not received, the primary donor will be responsible for fully funding the qualification value stipulated in the naming agreement. University matching incentives will not be applied toward meeting naming opportunity qualification values.

Naming Recognition for Programmatic or Operational Components of USA

Opportunities for naming a programmatic or operational entity of USA may be granted for contributions that offer transformational opportunity for advancement of the program’s specific missions. Such contributions will always be unique to the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the specific entity and must be structured to best support achievement of the entity’s short-term and long-term goals. Depending on the needs of the entity, and at the discretion of USA, gifts for naming opportunities may be designated for capital projects, operating support, or endowments. All naming opportunity gifts will be established through a gift agreement between USA and the donor, specifying the gift amount, payment schedule, the purpose for which the funds will be used, and the naming to be conferred. 

Independent School or College–gifts of $10 million and more will be considered Such opportunities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the size of the school or college, the complexity of its programs, and the structure and designation of the gift.

• Dependent School (a component of a college) —gifts of $2.5 million and more will be considered
  Such opportunities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; considerations will include the size of the school and the complexity of its programs.
• Dependent Department (a component of a college or school)—gifts of $1.5 million and more will be considered
  Such opportunities will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; considerations will include the size of the department and the complexity of its programs. 
• Discipline-specific Center (within a college, school, or department)—gifts of $1.5 million and more will be considered
  Such opportunities will be considered on a case-by-case basis; considerations will include complexity of programs.
• University-wide or Cross-disciplinary Center—gifts of $5 million and more will be considered
  Such opportunities will be considered on a case-by-case basis; considerations will include the complexity of the programs and research activities of the center.

• Naming Recognition for Endowed Funds

  Establishing a named endowed fund offers donors a means to assure annual support for a designated purpose in perpetuity. The donor’s gift is invested by USA to produce income disbursed according to USA’s endowment spending policy to support a scholarship, chair, lectureship, etc. Endowed funds can be created for use within a specific academic or administrative component.

  • Senior Academic Leadership Positions—gifts of $2 million and more will be considered
    Named endowed funds to provide salary support for specific deans, directors, department chairpersons, or provost positions will be evaluated based on the size and complexity of programs administered by the position.
  • Endowed Chair—gifts of $2 million and more will be considered
    An endowed chair will provide salary support for a faculty member; considerations include likely costs associated with recruitment or retention of scholars or researchers in the specified discipline and the expectations for the position.
  • Endowed Professorship or Visiting Scholar—gifts of $1 million and more will be considered
    An endowed professorship or visiting scholar will partially support the salary or work of the incumbent, who may also use the honorary title associated with the professorship.
  • Endowed Lectureship—gifts of $1 million and more will be considered
    Annual proceeds of the endowment will be used to support expenses of hosting lectures by renowned scholars or public figures; such expenses may include, but are not limited to, honoraria, travel expenses, publicity, and related entertaining.
  • Endowed Graduate Assistantship or Fellowship—gifts of $250,000 and more will be considered
    Annual proceeds would provide support to a student working on an advanced degree.
  • Endowed Scholarship—gifts of $25,000 and more will be considered
    Annual proceeds would be awarded by USA to an undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Other Endowed Funds—gifts of $25,000 and more will be considered
    Endowed funds may be established on a case-by-case basis to support defined purposes with the approval and oversight of senior leadership of the component (e.g., school, college, hospital, etc.) for which the endowment is designated. 

  Naming Recognition for Physical Spaces (or Portions Thereof)

  Naming a physical space at USA in honor or memory of the contributions of an individual is reserved as one of the highest distinctions that USA can grant. Because the names of USA’s buildings, streets, garden spaces, and athletic fields (among others) become engrained in the history of USA, the memories of its alumni and friends, and the lore of our Gulf Coast region, extraordinary care is required in planning, researching, proposing, conferring, and stewarding these enduring and impactful bonds.

  USA may elect to name a physical space for a person or an organization in honor of many contributions that advance its mission or positively impact its future, including philanthropy. Approval for naming of physical spaces at USA is a function of the President and Board of Trustees through the comprehensive process described herein.

  Where such naming privileges are to be conferred in recognition of a gift, the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations will direct the process to assure that due diligence is performed in developing a specific proposal for a naming opportunity capable of enhancing the reputation of USA; appropriately honoring an individual or organization for significant contributions to the missions of USA; and securing adequate resources to advance the progress of USA.

  All representatives of USA who may become involved in planning for naming a physical space in recognition of a gift will confer with the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations or her designee and collaborate in completing the due diligence and planning of the gift. No representative of USA should discuss or in any way offer a naming opportunity gift for physical spaces to a prospective donor or the donor’s representative until written approval to proceed has been provided by the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations.

  With direction from the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the process of developing a philanthropic gift proposal to offer a space naming recognition will build consensus within the USA community and assure that appropriate due diligence is performed in a sequence that assures deepening of the ongoing relationship between USA and the prospective donor.

  This proposal process may vary somewhat in sequence depending on specific circumstances regarding the donor, the space to be named, and the gift requirements of the project. It is the responsibility of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations to provide guidance for the collaboration and to assure that proper vetting and necessary approvals are obtained before an offer is made to the prospective donor or the donor’s representative.

Determining the Value of Naming Privileges

Determining the value of naming privileges for physical spaces is dependent on many considerations, including square footage, the condition of the space and future plans for its use, and construction or renovation needs. As part of planning for fundraising initiatives to support capital needs, inventories of spaces available for naming are often developed by administrative or academic units in collaboration with Development and Alumni Relations and are approved by the President.

• Spaces Included in Approved Naming Inventories
  Development and Alumni Relations maintains a library of naming opportunity inventories that have been approved by the President, so development officers can assist with determining whether a particular space has already been valued in such an inventory and identifying next steps. These inventories specify a value at or above which gifts qualify to be considered to name specific spaces. In no circumstance will USA approve naming privileges for a gift that falls below such approved naming opportunity values.
• Spaces Not Included in a Naming Inventory
  For spaces that are not included on an approved list of naming opportunities, a naming gift value will be developed through a consultation among the dean or administrative leader of the division to which the space is designated, the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the President, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Approved naming opportunity inventories will be consulted to assure consistency in valuing similarly situated spaces.

Creating a Formal Request for Naming Recognition

A written recommendation to name a physical space in honor or memory of an individual or organization will be developed with advice from the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. The Vice President will recommend the scope of information required for the specific project, which may include a description of the honoree’s achievements and contributions, as well as the philanthropic commitment to be requested. In some circumstances this recommendation can be augmented with letters of support, biographical summaries, and media reports. This packet is typically initiated by a dean or chief administrator of a unit to which the named space is dedicated in concert with a development officer and is submitted to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations for recommendation to the President and Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Review and Approval of Naming Request

The Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations will review the plan for the naming gift and, if required, seek advice and approval from the President and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Vice President will advise regarding necessary changes and will notify the recommenders when the project is approved for presentation to the prospective donor or donor’s representative.

Implementation of Naming for Physical Spaces

Placement of signage, plaques, and other visible naming recognition will typically take place after payment of 50 percent of the gift commitment is received by USA. In the event that scheduled payments for the remainder of the commitment are not received or become more than 90 days past due, USA will remove the signage, plaques, and other naming recognition. 

Life Span of Naming for Physical Spaces

The naming of a physical space may be set, where appropriate, for a fixed term, but unless a term is specified in the gift agreement, the naming privileges will normally terminate when the building, office, quad, or street is demolished, substantially altered, or no longer in use by USA. Where it is feasible, a donor recognized in the naming of a space that is being replaced will be offered first right of refusal to make a gift to name the replacement space.

Termination of Naming Recognition

The President and the Board of Trustees reserve the right to modify, remove, or co-name any endowment, space, program, building, or portion thereof should unforeseen circumstances warrant such action. In the event of a default on a pledge commitment for which naming recognition has been conferred, naming recognitions associated with the pledge will be revoked.

Additional Special Requirements for Specific Types of Gifts

• Additional Due Diligence for Outdoor Site Selection
  For outdoor naming opportunities, USA should strive to assure that foreseeable development and construction on campus is not expected to affect the space to be named or public access to the space.
• Review by Director of Tax Accounting
  USA’s Director of Tax Accounting must be consulted regarding the potential naming of any facility to determine potential conflicts that may affect an offer of naming privileges arising from funding sources used in constructing a particular facility. Such a review should seek to ascertain that proposed terms for naming privileges do not conflict with other agreements related to securing funding for the building from grants or governmental appropriations.
• Estate Gifts
  If a naming opportunity is to be funded by a deferred gift through the donor’s estate, both determining the qualification value for the naming opportunity and the implementation of the naming recognition will follow a different pattern than gifts for current use.
  • Determining Qualification Value for Naming with an Estate Gift:
    To determine whether a gift will qualify for a specific naming opportunity, a deferred gift will be discounted to present value to determine whether it meets requirements for specific naming privileges.
  • Implementing Naming Recognition for an Estate Gift:
    Agreements establishing naming gifts via deferred gifts must specify implementation of naming recognition will occur after USA receives funds through the estate. Donors of estate gifts who desire naming to be granted during their lifetimes will be required to make a current gift of at least 50 percent of the minimum value of the specified naming opportunity prior to conferral of the naming. Agreements for such gifts will clearly specify the remaining minimum value for the naming opportunity expected from the estate, as well as the understanding that that the naming will be altered or removed if the gift realized from the estate does not meet the agreed amount.