Fund-Raising Guidelines for Student Clubs and Groups
The University recognizes and supports the many kinds of service contributions student organizations can make on campus, in the local community, and even around the world. Each year student clubs sponsor meaningful social activities, service projects, cultural events, and educational forums. In doing so, student groups are expected to emphasize giving service, versus the generating of revenue, as the main consideration for activity planning and charitable outreach.
The following guidelines and approval process has been adopted to: a) determine when a fund raising proposal by a student club is a reasonable option; b) ensure financial accountability for funds raised; and c) be considerate of the time and budgets of students who may be involved or targeted to participate in such activities.
These guidelines confirm and support the University Fund-Raising Policy
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All student fund-raising activities, whether originating from a BYUSA club, a college- or department-sponsored organization, or a campus service area must be approved prior to scheduling facilities, advertising, or contracting for services.
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A fund-raising activity is one where revenue is generated, other than organization dues, whether or not a profit is made. Such activities should allow clubs or groups to earn operating monies to meet reasonable expenses during the year but not build up excessive reserves. Limited fund raising can also be done in support of charitable or humanitarian causes.
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Charitable drives to collect non-monetary contributions such as food, clothing, books, or supplies are subject to the same guidelines and approval process as fund-raising activities.
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Soliciting local businesses, national corporations, or individuals (alumni, friends of the University, etc.) by any student group for donations (money, sponsorships, gifts, premiums) to support campus fund raising must be approved by BYU Development before any contact can be made.
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Fund raising should be for the benefit of the collective organization or an approved charitable cause. Monies raised should not be for the specific benefit of individuals (within or outside the organization) and cannot be used to support student travel or scholarships.
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Fund raising that involves door-to-door contacting, telephone sales, cash collection boxes, soliciting loose change donations, sale of advertising, or furthering off-campus commercial or political interests will not be approved.
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The review of fund raising requests will be based on the following principles:
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The activity is of benefit to the campus community. The nature and location of the activity must also be appropriate for involvement by students at BYU.
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The activity offers goods or services at a price that is economically reasonable and invites participation in a way that is non-coercive.
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The activity has been well planned and there is adequate assurance the group is risking only money that it is prepared to pay in case the activity does not prove to be commercially successful.
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There will be adequate supervision at the activity to be responsible for cash handling, participant safety, and compliance with University standards.
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Fund-raising activity should be for a defined and relatively short period of time.
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The defined period of time for fund-raising events or commodity drives in support of charitable or humanitarian causes is during a BYUSA-sponsored Care Week.
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Permission to raise funds on campus may be withheld if the proposal is deemed to be insufficiently related to broader University objectives, or if difficult precedents might be established.
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Funds raised by student groups can generally not be donated to University departments, performing groups, or other budgeted programs.
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