Foundation FAQs
Find answers to questions about institutionally related foundations: what they are, why they are established, how they are governed, and more.

Management and Governance Checklist for Institutionally Related Foundations
This Management and Governance Checklist, developed by CASE and reviewed and approved by members of the National Committee for Institutionally Related Foundations, is intended for use by foundation staff and board members in conducting internal self-assessments and in examining the foundation’s activities to assure compliance with laws, standards and best practices.

Institutionally Related Foundations and the Economic Downturn: Results of the 2009 CASE Survey on Foundation Funding Sources and Budget Restructuring
CASE White Paper Find out how institutionally related foundations fund operations and how funding sources have changed in response to the economic downturn. This CASE White Paper, which looks at the results of a survey of 98 foundations affiliated with U.S. public colleges and universities, explores the roles of management and gift fees, institutional support, reserves and other foundation funding sources and looks at steps foundations have taken to reduce expenses in challenging economic times. CASE White Papers are a benefit for CASE Professional Members. Login is required to access the paper.

AGB-CASE Illustrative Memorandum of Understanding Between a Foundation and Host Institution or System
The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) and CASE jointly developed this illustrative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for institutions and foundations. It was designed to enumerate the elements that "best practice" suggests need to be considered for inclusion in an MOU. Ultimately, history, campus culture, and legal dictates will affect the contents of an institution's document.

Risk Management for Foundations
This series of four articles on risk management for institutionally related foundations was written by Thomas Atkins, a principal at Albert Risk Management.

Foundation Accountability and Donor Privacy
This article includes resources and a selection of court rulings regarding foundation independence and donor privacy.

Foundation Accountability
This article discusses accountability for institutionally related foundations.

Foundation Funding Sources and Fees
Provides an overview of CASE research studies and reports about foundation funding sources and fees.

Memoranda of Understanding
Sample Collection The CASE InfoCenter maintains a collection of memoranda of understanding or agreement between an institutionally related foundation and its host institution. Please login to access the collection.

More Foundations Relying on Endowment Management Fee to Fund Operations
BriefCASE Article More institutionally related foundations are using a management fee on endowed funds to fund their operations, according to the results of a CASE survey on foundation funding sources and budget restructuring.

19th Annual CASE Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations
Conference This annual meeting of foundation CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Counsels and other senior professionals provides a forum to learn about the critical and emerging issues affecting institutionally related foundations. In-depth presentations by senior professionals set the stage for smaller elective sessions.

Budget Restructuring for Foundations Amid a Market Downturn
Product Explore practical and political considerations for expanding your revenue sources and absorbing reductions.

Dynamic Foundation for Fund Raising: A Guide to Organizing or Reorganizing an Institutionally Related Foundation
Product With worksheets, exhibits, and documents from an existing institutionally related foundation as samples, this book provides detailed instructions and proven practices about every stage of the foundation organizing process.

Walking the Tightrope
In this article from 2004, John Clinton, CEO of the Shippensburg University Foundation, compares the role of a foundation CEO to that of a tightrope walker. Considering the changing nature of foundation roles, Clinton suggests that foundations are evolving into the "entrepreneurial arms" of the colleges and universities they serve.

Talking Points: Foundations for Excellence
CURRENTS Article The outstanding performance of endowments at public institutions has attracted negative reaction and raised many questions from observers. Orcutt provides basic answers to common questions, including why state-assisted institutions need private funds, why they need independent foundations to manage these funds, what foundation do with the funds, who determines how to use the funds, how foundations are held accountable for their performance, and how they pay their operating expenses.