Mississippi State's university-wide policy regarding the solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations requires all fundraising units of the university to coordinate prospect solicitation with the respective development officer of their area and inform the MSU Foundation of all such solicitations and proposals.

This policy is not intended to curb initiative or interfere with long-standing relationships with prospective donors, but it is necessary to ensure proper reporting and accountability.

Please familiarize yourself with the general guidelines listed below. The full policy is available on MSU's website at www.policies.msstate.edu/sites/www.policies.msstate.edu/files/2021-08/4101.pdf.

Faculty and staff seeking a gift of $10,000 or greater must check with their development officer prior to making contact. This is necessary to determine if the prospective donor is involved in a current or planned solicitation and to prevent the potential for multiple solicitations from various university units.

To request a Prospect Proposal Clearance, submit an email to the respective development officer of the MSU Foundation that includes the name of the prospective donor, the amount of funding being requested and a short description of the purpose. If approved, a written notice of the approved clearance to proceed will be provided via email.

Proposals greater than $1.5 million require approval from the president and must be forwarded through the vice president for development and alumni. Any proposal to name any academic college or department must also be forwarded through the vice president for development and alumni and the provost for approval.

The MSU Foundation and the MSU Office of Sponsored Projects have jointly developed guidelines to help determine if funding from a particular proposal should be routed through the Foundation or OSP.

For additional information on differentiating between gifts and sponsored projects, contact Heather Andrews, director of development strategy for the MSU Foundation, at 662-325-0259 or handrews@foundation.msstate.edu.