Q: What is the SOU Foundation?
A: Established in 1959, the Southern Oregon University Foundation (SOU Foundation) is an independent but university affiliated, privately governed nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support Southern Oregon University. Foundation, development and alumni staff are located on the Ashland campus, in the historic Plunkett Center, on the corner of Siskiyou Blvd. and Mountain Ave.

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Q: Why is the Foundation separate from the University?
A: Having an independent, nonprofit foundation results in greater fundraising efficiencies and benefits for the University by assuring proper stewardship of private gifts, providing flexibility and responsiveness, managing assets strategically, engaging volunteers as informed advocates, and ensuring confidentiality of donor records.

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Q: If SOU is a public university, why does it need private gifts?
A: The State of Oregon provides about 16 percent of the University’s budget, down from 25 percent in 1990. Private gifts are an important revenue source that allows the University to attract and retain the best and brightest faculty, provide scholarships, build first-class facilities, and continue the quality education and research programs that are the hallmark of Southern Oregon University.

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Q: How is my gift spent?
A: Each gift received by the Foundation—regardless of purpose or amount- is carefully processed to ensure that the donor’s wishes are honored and that the University receives the maximum benefit.

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Q: Is my gift tax-deductible?
A: The SOU Foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law, but circumstances vary depending on each donor’s individual financial situation. You should consult with your tax attorney/advisor concerning the deductibility of your gift.

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Q: Who decides the fundraising priorities?
A: SOU’s campus leadership determine which proposed initiatives and projects become fundraising priorities in consultation with the university president and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Foundation staff then develop a plan and strategies to seek funding for the priorities.

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Q: Can I designate my gift for a particular purpose?
A: Yes: A donor may designate a gift to a particular campus, college/school, department, or even to a particular fund supporting an existing SOU initiative. Although discretionary gifts provide the University’s leadership with the most flexibility in responding to the needs of the institution, every gift makes a difference to SOU’s future.

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Q: Who governs the Foundation?
A: A volunteer board of trustees has fiduciary oversight, elects the officers of the Foundation and in partnership with the university president, appoints the chief development officer. The Board of Trustees serves as advocates for the University and elects the members of the Board of Trustees. The SOU president and another university designee (vice president for development/executive director of foundation) serve as non-voting members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

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Q: Who serves on the Board of Trustees?
A: The membership of the Board of Trustees is drawn from a broad spectrum of state and national business and community leaders and alumni who share a commitment to Southern Oregon University.

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Q: Who manages the Foundation’s endowment?
A: A volunteer Finance and Investment Committee, composed of trustees, provides fiduciary oversight and works with a number of consultative financial advisors through UBS Financial Services Inc. to determine investment policy.

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Q: How is the Foundation funded?
A: The Foundation is funded through a combination of mechanisms including: university funding, unrestricted gifts and fundraising, an administrative fee, and an endowment management fee.

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Q: Does the Foundation make grants?
A: The Foundation’s mission is to support Southern Oregon University. Therefore, the Foundation does not make grants to other organizations or to individuals.

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Q: What kind of information is available to the public and media?
A: The Southern Oregon University Foundation goes above and beyond state and federal requirements by providing audited financials, summaries of investment activities, annual reports and the IRS Form 990. Documents related to financial expenditures by the Foundation, which benefit the University, are also considered public records. The Foundation does not disclose private information regarding donors or potential donors without their written permission.

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Q: How can I obtain additional information?
A: For more information, please contact our office at (541) 552-6127.

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