Giving Policies

Christian Brothers University solicits and accepts gifts for purposes that will help the organization further and fulfill its mission. The following giving policies and guidelines govern acceptance of gifts made to CBU for the benefit of any of its operations, programs, or services.

Legal Guidance

Christian Brothers University urges all prospective donors to seek the assistance of personal legal and financial advisors in matters relating to their gifts, including the resulting tax and estate planning consequences.

Use of Legal Counsel: CBU will seek the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to acceptance of gifts when appropriate. Review by counsel is recommended for:

  • Gifts of securities that are subject to restrictions or buy-sell agreements.
  • Documents naming Christian Brothers University as trustee or requiring Christian Brothers University to act in any fiduciary capacity.
  • Gifts requiring Christian Brothers University to assume financial or other obligations. Transactions with potential conflicts of interest.
  • Gifts of property which may be subject to environmental or other regulatory restrictions.

Restrictions on Gifts

Christian Brothers University will not accept gifts that (a) would result in CBU violating its mission, (b) would result in CBU losing its status as an IRC § 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, (c) are too difficult or too expensive to administer in relation to their value, (d) would result in any unacceptable consequences for Christian Brothers University , or (e) are for purposes outside Christian Brothers University’s mission. Decisions on the restrictive nature of a gift, and its acceptance or refusal, shall be made by the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni, in consultation with the University President.

Gifts Generally Accepted Without Review

  • Cash: Cash gifts are acceptable in any form, including by check, money order, credit card, or on-line. Donors wishing to make a gift by credit card must provide the card type (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, American Express), card number, expiration date, and name of the card holder as it appears on the credit card.
  • Marketable Securities: Marketable securities may be transferred electronically to an account maintained at one or more brokerage firms or delivered physically with the transferor’s endorsement or signed stock power (with appropriate signature guarantees) attached. All marketable securities will be sold promptly upon receipt unless otherwise directed by CBU’s Investment Committee. In some cases marketable securities may be restricted, for example, by applicable securities laws or the terms of the proposed gift; in such instances the decision whether to accept the restricted securities shall be made by the Vice President for Advancement and Alumni, in consultation with the University President.
  • Bequests and Beneficiary Designations under Revocable Trusts, Life Insurance Policies, Commercial Annuities and Retirement Plans: Donors are encouraged to make bequests to Christian Brothers University under their wills, and to name Christian Brothers University as the beneficiary under trusts, life insurance policies, commercial annuities and retirement plans.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts: Christian Brothers University will accept designation as a remainder beneficiary of charitable remainder trusts.
  • Charitable Lead Trusts: Christian Brothers University will accept designation as an income beneficiary of charitable lead trusts.

Gifts Accepted Subject to Prior Review

Certain forms of gifts or donated properties may be subject to review prior to acceptance. Examples of gifts subject to prior review include, but are not limited to:

  • Tangible Personal Property: The Vice President for Advancement shall review and determine whether to accept any gifts of tangible personal property in light of the following considerations:
    • Does the property further the organization’s mission?
    • Is the property marketable? Are there any unacceptable restrictions imposed on the property?
    • Are there any carrying costs for the property for which the organization may be responsible?
    • Is the title/provenance of the property clear?
  • Life Insurance: Christian Brothers University will accept gifts of life insurance where CBU is named as both beneficiary and irrevocable owner of the insurance policy. The donor must agree to pay, before due, any future premium payments owing on the policy.
  • Real Estate: All gifts of real estate are subject to review by the Executive Committee. Prior to acceptance of any gift of real estate other than a personal residence, Christian Brothers University shall require an initial environmental review by a qualified environmental firm. In the event that the initial review reveals a potential problem, the organization may retain a qualified environmental firm to conduct an environmental audit. Criteria for acceptance of gifts of real estate include:
    • Is the property useful for the organization’s purposes? Is the property readily marketable?
    • Are there covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements, encumbrances or other limitations associated with the property?
    • Are there carrying costs (including insurance, property taxes, mortgages, notes, or the like) or maintenance expenses associated with the property?
    • Does the environmental review or audit reflect that the property is damaged or otherwise requires remediation?