The International School of Brussels

Everyone included

Everyone challenged

Everyone successful

Gift Acceptance Policy

In order to fulfill its mission of developing ​Independent Learners and International Citizens in an environment where all students are included, challenged and successful, the International School of Brussels (the “School”) pursues a range of revenue sources beyond tuition fees including asking for donations ​(“gifts”) ​and sponsorship.

To this end and in accordance with best practices in the field, the ISB Development Policy states the principles to be followed regarding the solicitation, acceptance, and recognition of gifts ​to ISB.

 

I. Gift Solicitation

1. Gift solicitations and fundraising activities on behalf of the School are made by the ISB Director and staff members of the Development Team as part of the Advancement Office. Solicitations by other parties on behalf of the School must be approved by the ISB Director, in consultation with the Director of Advancement and Chief Development Officer.

2. Fundraising for external projects and organisations, including fundraising initiatives launched by current ISB students, is allowed in limited circumstances, and must always directly support the service learning student experience at ISB. See Fundraising at ISB for External Projects and Organisations position paper.

3. The School will solicit unrestricted gifts each school year via the Annual Fund programme. Gifts will be used by the School to support the 3 strategic priorities of: enhancing learning; excellence in teaching; improving campus.

4. The School may also solicit unrestricted or restricted gifts that are substantial in size, (generally upwards of €25,000). For restricted gifts, the School may provide specific giving opportunities and the Development Office will issue, upon approval from the ISB Director and any other associated parties, a tailored ‘Gift Agreement’ document.

5. All personnel engaged by ISB to contact prospective donors shall be either volunteers or paid a salary or fixed wage, but shall not receive commissions, which could give such personnel a direct beneficial interest in any agreement. ISB does not pay finder’s fees, or other fees related to the delivery of any gift or sponsorship.
 

II. Gift Acceptance

1. The School will accept gifts (including in-kind donations) that support the mission and strategic priorities of the School and has the right to refuse gifts that are not in line with the mission and strategic priorities of the School.

2. Final responsibility for the acceptance of gifts lies with the ISB Director, based on the counsel of the Chief Development Officer, Director of Advancement, Finance & Operations Director, and others where appropriate.

3. Acceptance of any gift with an associated campus naming opportunity will be first approved by the Board of Trustees, consistent with the School’s Naming Policy.

4. Gifts made with any quid-pro-quo expectation, including sponsorships as applicable, will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The School reserves the right to refuse any quid-pro-quo gift at the discretion of the ISB Director, the Director of Advancement and/or Chief Development Officer.

5. The source of any gift to the School must be known, at a minimum, to the ISB Director, Chief Development Officer, Director of Advancement, and Finance & Operations Director.

6. The School will take into consideration a donor’s request for the intended purpose of a ‘restricted’ gift and every effort will be made to honour those requests. If the intended purpose cannot be met, the School will work with the donor to the fullest extent possible to identify another mutually agreed-upon purpose.

7. The School does not accept gifts that are contingent on the admission of specific individuals to the School.

8. Gifts to the School or to associated organisations in support of the School, may be made by money and/or marketable securities. Gifts of real property with reasonable cash value and in-kind donations are accepted at the discretion of the ISB Director, based on the counsel of the Chief Development Officer and Finance & Operations Director.

9. Costs or fees associated with gifts or sponsorship given to the School or to associated organisations in support of the School, will in most cases, be borne by the donor. Larger ‘restricted’ gifts will have a Gift Agreement, that states specifically who is responsible for costs or fees relating to that gift.
 

III. Gift Recognition

1. All donations to the School and to associated organisations in support of the School will be recognized by the Development Office in collaboration with other appropriate parties.

2. Donors to the School and to associated organisations in support of the School will be recognized in a variety of ways, unless the donor stipulates anonymity. Such recognition may include, but is not exclusive to, print, website, electronic newsletters, donor or School events.

3. If the School seeks to recognize the contributions of donors by the naming of campus spaces, it will do so in accordance with the School’s Naming Policy.

4. The School reserves the right, as recommended by the ISB Director and ISB Board Chair to the ISB Board of Trustees, to rescind any and all forms of donor recognition that may bring discredit to the School and/or is no longer consistent with the School’s mission and values.