Maximize Your Board's Capacity and Impact-MOU Example (CCAF)

Pdf Summary

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Colorado's Department of Higher Education (for Community College of Aurora, "College") and the Community College of Aurora Foundation ("Foundation"), effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, outlines their cooperative relationship to support the College’s mission and goals. The Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, independently manages funds raised to enhance the College’s growth, scholarship programs, and institutional priorities.<br /><br />The College commits to communicating its strategic goals to the Foundation, managing funds prudently, and providing administrative support such as office space, technology, marketing, and shared services, detailed in Exhibit A. The College authorizes the Foundation limited use of its name and logo and ensures leadership integration between the two entities.<br /><br />The Foundation operates under its bylaws with fiduciary duties, maintaining tax-exempt status, and raising private funds to enhance the College’s resources. It coordinates fundraising, gifts, and grants within legal limits, avoids independent lobbying without prior consultation, and manages donor intent in fund disbursements. The Foundation is responsible for financial management, annual audits, insurance coverage, and personnel costs unless reimbursed by the College.<br /><br />Both parties agree to share information, including donor and student records, complying with privacy laws such as FERPA and GLBA, maintaining data security, and cooperating on incident responses. Disputes are first addressed by leadership meetings and, if unresolved, may lead to termination with 90 days’ notice. Upon dissolution of the Foundation, assets revert to the College or related entities consistent with legal and donor requirements.<br /><br />Additional terms cover assignment restrictions, Colorado law jurisdiction, governmental immunity, anti-discrimination compliance, and mutual rights and obligations. The attached Exhibit A specifies financial support by the College (up to $150,000 annually, office facilities, technology, marketing, and scholarships support) and Foundation responsibilities, including staffing, donor and alumni engagement, campaign leadership, insurance, travel expenses, and annual audited financial statements sharing. This comprehensive agreement facilitates collaboration to advance educational excellence and student opportunities at Community College of Aurora.

Asset Caption

This sample MOU from the Community College of Aurora illustrates one approach to defining roles, reporting lines, and operational support between an institution and its foundation. Review it to see how expectations and coordination can be documented clearly.

Keywords

Memorandum of Understanding

Community College of Aurora

Community College of Aurora Foundation

Department of Higher Education Colorado

scholarship programs

fundraising and grants

financial management

FERPA compliance

data security

educational collaboration