University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc.
Strategic Plan 2005 – 2009
Background:
The University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. was established as a nonprofit corporation under the applicable provisions of the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code. The corporation is a voluntary association of individuals and organizations organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The corporation was organized as a cooperative organization of the Board of Regents. The corporation operates according to the following principles.
Operating Principles:
- To promote interest and participation in public higher education in the State of Georgia;
- To provide for system-wide activities that enhance the quality of instruction, research, and service in the University System of Georgia;
- To support activities at a system level that support the educational goals and objectives of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia;
- To provide support for the office of the Chancellor of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in carrying out the purposes and functions of the Board of Regents;
- To make distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 5Ol(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- To make distributions for other charitable purposes;
- To receive and accept property, whether real, personal, or mixed, by way of gift, bequest, or devise, from any person, firm, trust, or corporation, to be held, administered, and disposed of in accordance with and pursuant to the governing instruments of the corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time;
- To make grants and contributions and otherwise to render financial assistance and support services in furtherance of the purposes and functions of the University System of Georgia, as determined by the Board of Trustees in its discretion;
- To solicit gifts, grants, and contributions and otherwise to raise funds to support and advance the charitable programs and activities of the corporation as provided above;
- To administer funds in accordance with donor intent, and manage assets so that funds hold their purchasing power into the future;
- To distribute property exclusively for charitable purposes in accordance with the terms of gifts, bequests, or devises to the corporation not inconsistent with its purposes, as set forth in the articles of incorporation and these bylaws, or in accordance with determination made by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the corporation; and
- To perform all other acts necessary or incidental to the above and to do whatever is deemed necessary, useful, advisable, or conducive, directly or indirectly, as determined by the Board of Trustees, to carry out any of the purposes of the corporation, as set forth in the articles of incorporation and these bylaws, including the exercise of all other power and authority enjoyed by corporations generally by virtue of the provisions of the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code (within and subject to the limitations of section 50l(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code).
GOALS
The University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. will support the University System of Georgia with the following strategic goals and actions:
1. Recognize excellence through the distribution of scholarships to each of its institutions for award to academically talented students.
2. Recognize excellence through annual awards to distinguished faculty and alumni.
3. Solicit funds, grants and contributions to support and advance the charitable purposes described in the USGF Operating Principles and the priorities of the University System of Georgia.
4. Support the educational goals and objectives of the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia, and the Chancellor.
Goal 1
Recognize excellence through the distribution of scholarships to each of its institutions for award to academically talented students.
Recommendations / action steps
1. Establish Regents’ President’s Choice Scholarships with criteria requiring that the scholarship(s) be awarded to academically talented students while allowing each president to decide how, when and to whom the funds will be awarded (initiated 11/04);
2.Showcase students who have received Regents’ President’s Choice Scholarships at the annual Regents Awards for Excellence in Education Dinner.
Goal 2
Recognize excellence through annual awards to distinguished faculty and alumni.
1. Establish the Elridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award (completed 11/04).
2. Appoint a subcommittee to select the annual recipient of the Elridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award.
3. Present the Elridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award at the Regents Awards for Excellence in Education Dinner.
4. Establish the Regents Hall of Fame Alumni and Faculty Awards (completed 11/04).
5. Solicit nominations for the Regents Hall of Fame Alumni Awards annually from the presidents of each USG institution.
6. Appoint a subcommittee to review the nominations for the Regents Hall of Fame Alumni Award to select a winner from each sector.
7. Receive the Regents Hall of Fame Faculty Award selections from the Office of Academic Affairs.
8. Present the Regents Hall of Fame Alumni and Faculty Awards at the annual Regents Awards for Excellence in Education Dinner.
Goal 3
Solicit funds, grants and contributions to support and advance the charitable purposes described in the USGF operating principles and the priorities of the University System of Georgia.
Recommendations / action steps
1. Establish a fundraising subcommittee of the Board of Trustees to solicit corporate contributions to the Foundation for the Annual Regents Awards for Excellence in Education.
2. Annually, appoint a task force to plan and implement the Regents Awards for Excellence in Education Dinner to include representatives from the Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents, the USGF Executive Director, the USGF staff members, and Events Planning and Stewardship representatives from two USG institutions.
3. Showcase information about grants and contributions in the USGF Annual Report.
Goal 4
Support the educational goals and objectives of the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia, and the Chancellor.
Recommendations / action steps
1. Through the Chancellor and Executive Committee, develop recommended priorities for the USGF.
2. Seek approval for the recommended priorities from the Board of Regents.
3. Encourage System Office staff to write grant proposals consistent with the approved USGF priorities. |
