Each year, substantial gift support is brought into the Institute from private sources (individuals, foundations, and corporations). These funds are philanthropic rather than contractual in nature and are generated primarily through activities coordinated by the Office of the Vice President for Resource Development.
Resource Development is charged with identifying sources and seeking support for both expendable and endowment monies. Resource Development staff — as well as staff members in the Association of Alumni and Alumnae of MIT and several of the Institute's Schools — are also available to assist faculty members in seeking gift support. Fundraising efforts for individual Schools are closely coordinated with the overall Resource Development operation.
Projects for which gift support is sought must be among the general Institute funding priorities established by the Council on Resources of the Institute or must be individually approved by the faculty member's department head, dean, and, where appropriate, the Provost, in accordance with established procedures. After obtaining academic approval, faculty members seeking gift support from industry, foundations, or individuals for a project must clear any approach with the Vice President for Resource Development through the Director of Development Services or their School development officer, who will also coordinate, as appropriate, with the Director of Corporate Relations. This clearance procedure is designed to avoid conflict with existing agreements or with pending approaches or solicitations to the individual, company, or foundation involved. Wherever possible, the Development Office and other members of the Resource Development staff will provide assistance in identifying prospects and in making approaches.
Unless specifically modified, these procedures remain in effect during Institute-wide capital campaigns or other major funding efforts.
In order to recognize major financial support to the Institute, it is possible to name a space after the individual or organizational donor. In such cases, the following guidelines and approval process should be followed:
On occasion, it may be possible to name a space after an individual who has provided extraordinary service to the Institute. In such a case, the above guidelines and approval process (with the exception of the gift levels) should be followed.
It is also possible to display a plaque that provides recognition of donors to a project but does not name a space after them. A critical consideration is that such plaques will not be displayed permanently, but only for the life of the project.
In such cases, the following guidelines and approval process should be followed:
It may also be possible to recognize an individual's service to the Institute by displaying a plaque. This would require the approval of the appropriate department or laboratory head and senior officer. Design, fabrication, and placement of any such plaques must be done in conjunction with a designated interior designer in Physical Plant.