GGC Corporate Relations and Sponsorship Policy

Policy Number: 7.64
Effective Date: February 20, 2023
Revision History: May 26, 2016; April 13, 2015; May 29, 2014; May 24, 2011
Policy Contact: Associate Vice President for Advancement

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

It is the intent of this policy that Georgia Gwinnett College will actively pursue relationships such as corporate collaborations, sponsorship of activities, and other business affiliations with corporations and/or other external entities whose products, policies, and practices align with the primary mission and purpose of the College and its institutional priorities. Any restrictions or requirements resulting from contracts with or donations from corporations should not detract from these purposes. The College does not endorse, directly or by implication, any products, vendors, services or ideas, except those sponsored directly by the College. The most important aspect of this policy is that those with authority to commit the institution to corporate relationships have the great responsibility to carry out its mission and purpose.

II. Scope

This policy governs all relationships with external corporations and foundations made on behalf of the institution by all GGC faculty, staff, students and/or groups affiliated with Georgia Gwinnett College.

III. Definitions

Acknowledgement:  A term used to signify the recognition of Sponsorship support. A typical Acknowledgement of Sponsorship is the placement of the sponsor’s logo, and/or certain information about the sponsor, in the promotional material for the activity or event associated with the Sponsorship.
Gift of Money:  A cash donation or pledge made directly or through the Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation to a school or department.
Gift-in-Kind:  A product or service donated, in lieu of a cash gift, to a school or department.
Partnership:  A relationship in which two or more persons or entities combine capital, labor, etc. to carry on a business or program, usually sharing the profits and losses in certain proportions.
Sponsorship: The provision by a non-college entity of money, goods or services to the College, a school, department, program, or registered student organization (“RSO”) in support of one or more activities, events, or programs on or off campus. Sponsorships accepted as charitable contributions must follow IRS rules and be appropriately receipted under the law through Advancement and the GGC Foundation.
Vendor Agreement:  Any arrangement or understanding between the College and one or more of its contracted suppliers to provide the vendor’s product or service to the College.

IV. Conditions and Procedures

1. Georgia Gwinnett College enters into many types of financial and business arrangements. The relevant arrangements fall into five basic categories. In its corporate relationships, Georgia Gwinnett College will comply with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents Policy Manual and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
   1. Agreements for procurement of goods and services. The Vice President for Business and Finance has primary responsibility for these types of agreements. They generally arise from competitive bidding or requests for proposals. For detailed guidelines governing procurement of goods and services, contact Business and Finance.
   2. Agreements related to research grants or testing arrangements involving both public and private sources.  Research and Sponsored Programs and Advancement, as appropriate, have primary responsibility for these types of agreements. For information about grants from State, Federal, or other public sources, contact Research and Sponsored Programs.  For grants involving private 501(c)(3) foundations, organizations, or corporations, contact Advancement.
   3. Agreements related to gifts, donations, unrestricted gifts, strategic collaborations, and affiliate programs, some of which may be subject to specific conditions. Advancement has primary responsibility for these agreements. Any faculty, staff, or student wishing to enter into such an agreement on behalf of the College and/or its related entities must coordinate with Advancement. Advancement provides approval for all such requests and guidance for gifts, donations, unrestricted gifts, strategic collaborations, and affiliated partnerships.
   4. Agreements related to affinity marketing and other activities utilizing or involving the Alumni Association or other affiliated support organizations. Advancement has primary responsibility for the GGC Alumni Association. For detailed guidelines governing affinity marketing and other activities utilizing or involving the Alumni Association or other affiliated support organizations, contact Advancement.
   5. Agreements related to corporate sponsorship. Many corporate sponsorships are charitable contributions by IRS definition and must be appropriately receipted and acknowledged under law. The Office of Advancement has primary responsibility for these agreements. Any faculty, staff, or student wishing to enter into such an agreement on behalf of the College and/or its related entities must coordinate with Advancement and follow the procedures outlined in APM Policy 7.61, Fundraising Policy.
2. GGC will not accept corporate sponsorships that reflect in a negative manner on the College, do not align with its mission, or are not in the best interest of the health and safety of the College community as determined by the Associate Vice President for Advancement, or the President of the College.
3. GGC does not accept corporate sponsorships for certain categories of products and services, including alcohol products, illegal or recreational drugs and drug paraphernalia, weapons, tobacco products or establishments, sexual services, gambling opportunities or casinos, weight loss products or plans, check cashing services and credit cards.

V. Related Regulations, Statutes, Policies and Procedures

Board of Regents Policy Manual 7.1 General Policy on Finance and Business
Board of Regents Policy Manual 7.2.2 Auxiliary Enterprises and Student Activities Revenues and Expenditures
7.61 Fundraising  
IRS Guidance: Advertising or Qualified Sponsorship?