An effective Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) does more than define roles and responsibilities. It provides a foundation for a strong, resilient relationship between an institution and its affiliated foundation. This webinar will explore how to develop and update agreements that can withstand leadership transitions, clarify expectations, and support an evolving partnership. Jennifer Cerasa, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Board Secretary at the University of Illinois Foundation, Matt White, Ph.D., Vice President, Advancement, Utah State University, and President, Utah State University Foundation, and Greg Willems, President/CEO, Kansas State University Foundation, will share perspectives on what belongs in an MOU, when and how to involve legal counsel, managing the relationship with the college or university president, and addressing growing priorities such as data sharing and security. The program will also include firsthand lessons from a foundation and institution that recently revisited their MOU and Articles of Incorporation.
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify key provisions of an effective MOU that clarify roles, responsibilities, expectations, and the relationship between an institution and its affiliated foundation.
- Determine when and how to review and update an MOU to address leadership transitions, changing institutional needs, and an evolving foundation-institution partnership.
- Assess approaches for engaging key stakeholders, including legal counsel, institutional leadership, and foundation leadership, in developing and maintaining the agreement.
- Explore emerging considerations for MOUs, including data sharing, data security, and other issues affecting institution-foundation relationships.
- Apply lessons from recent MOU revisions to strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of their own institution-foundation partnership.