General Policy
Rice University allows the reasonable use of university funds to provide modest gifts for a valid business reason consistent with the university's mission of research, education and outreach. Such reasons may include awards for service and achievement of employees, acknowledgement of distinguished visitors, contributions to another charitable organization in furtherance of Rice's mission and expressions of sympathy.
Elaboration of Policy
As a public charity that receives tax-deductible contributions, Rice has an obligation to its donors and the public to use its resources responsibly and to apply its resources toward fulfilling its mission. Federal law and regulations discourage the use of University assets to make gifts to individuals or other organizations unrelated to the University's tax exempt mission.
In addition, the IRS has stated that gifts to employees that do not meet specific criteria are taxable as income. Items that may be excluded are those that have so little value that accounting for them would be unreasonable or impracticable. The IRS regards any gifts of cash and cash equivalents (including gift cards and gift certificates), no matter how small, as taxable income, so such gifts must not be made with University funds.
Expenses for flowers, gift baskets, and other gifts are considered unallowable expenses with regard to federal costing principles. All such expenses must be coded to the proper account number to facilitate exclusion from cost bases used in determining the University's facilities and administrative cost recovery rate and may never be charged directly to a federal grant or contract.
Policy guidance on various types of gifts is described below. For any situations not covered by the guidance, the Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, & Support or the Office of the General Counsel should be consulted before a gift using University resources is made.
Awards for achievement or length of service: The Rice Human Resources website includes descriptions of several University staff performance recognition programs (including the Distinguished Employee Award, recognition before the Board of Trustees, and the Elizabeth Gillis Award), and chairs and managers are encouraged to recognize high performance through the use of these programs. Bonuses, which must be paid through payroll, are also used to reward performance. Chairs and managers are encouraged to consult the University's Compensation Manager to discuss appropriate bonus amounts and rationales and follow school or division approval processes. Occasionally, gifts of tangible personal property of under $100 may also be an appropriate and timely way to recognize outstanding performance on projects or critical work initiatives.
The University's service recognition program, also included on the Human Resources website, recognizes all employees at twenty years of service and at retirement. Department and school and division leaders are encouraged to also acknowledge employee service milestones through special events and/or mementos of service achievement.
Any department-specific awards (other than those paid as bonuses) should not have a value of greater than $100 (the de minimus standard for Rice), and cannot include cash or cash equivalents.
Acknowledgement of a distinguished visitor or donor: A small memento acknowledging a visiting dignitary or a donor may be appropriate if the gift advances the University's mission.
Expressions of sympathy: In the case of serious illness or death, Rice University funds may be used to send cards and modest gift baskets or floral arrangements to students, employees, and friends of Rice or their immediate family members. If a charitable contribution is requested in lieu of flowers, the amount contributed from a department's funds should not exceed $100.
Contributions to another charity: Because the University receives funds from donors to carry out its own mission, Rice does not ordinarily make contributions to other charities, except in the case of memorial gifts mentioned above. However, in some circumstances, the University's objectives may be advanced by a contribution to another charitable organization, such as sponsorship of an event through a contribution, or donations to public radio or television stations in order to have a program or event mentioned on a broadcast. Schools and divisions must notify the Vice President for Public Affairs in advance of the commitment for any contribution to another charitable organization in excess of $250, including gifts to purchase tables for charitable events, that is not part of donor relations. Gifts in excess of $250 that are made to other charitable organizations in furtherance of donor relations must be coordinated with the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. All gifts to another charitable organization of $2,500 or more require the approval of the President.
Restrictions on the Use of University Funds for Gifts
No cash gifts or gift certificates and gift cards may be given to employees.
No gifts of any kind may be charged to federal or non-federal grants.
No gifts may be made to public officials without the prior approval of the Vice President for Public Affairs.
No gifts may be made to any political campaign.
No gifts may be made to employees in connection with birthdays or other personal events.
| Gifts to Employees from University Funds | Dollar Amount | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tangible personal property, occasional | up to $100 | Not Taxable |
| Tangible personal property | >$100 | Taxable |
Roles and Responsibilities
President Approve gifts of $2,500 or more to another charitable organization.
Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, & Support Establish and update policy and procedures related to gifts.
General Counsel Advise on proposed gifts and donations.
Vice President for Public Affairs Approve gifts to a public official, provide guidance on the appropriateness of gifts of more than $250 to a charity, including gifts to purchase a table for charitable events, and provide guidance on outreach as appropriate.
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Provide guidance on the appropriateness of gifts related to development interest and gifts made to other organizations in furtherance of donor relations.
Controller Provide guidance on tax and accounting requirements to comply with procedures. Report the total of gifts made to charitable organizations in the University's 990-T.
Human Resources Provide guidance on gifts for employee performance and service recognition, and appropriate bonuses.
Deans, Vice Presidents, and Department Chairs/Heads Approve purchase of gifts pursuant to this policy.
Department Administrators Seek approval from the department chair or head for all gifts and donations made pursuant to this policy. Properly process (and code using account code 70870) all gift purchases allowable under this policy. Send copies to the Controller's office of acknowledgements or receipts for gifts made to charitable organizations.
Responsible Official for this Policy
Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance, & Support
Signatures
David W. Leebron, President
Policy History
Clerical Change
March 4, 2024 (updated EVP OF&S title)
August 15, 2023 (updated EVPFA title)
January 18, 2023 (Updated VPFA title)
November 11, 2020 (removed broken links to HR guidance, and corrected typo)
June 22, 2020 (Corrected VP name)
March 14, 2018 (updated office, formatting)
Issued
February 28, 2012