General Fundraising
- All student group fundraising activities must follow University policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations. When planning a fundraiser, keep the following in mind:
- Reserved spaces and tables must display the name of the student group and be staffed at all times by the members of the student group that has reserved space for the fundraiser or sale.
- The name of the sponsoring student group must be prominently displayed in all advertising and other communications connected with the fundraising or sales effort, including at the event site itself.
- Registered student groups should be aware of policies pertaining to Name and Logo Use for use on any merchandise.
On-Campus Sales and/or Fundraising
- Student groups officially registered with Kirby Student Center may conduct sales and/or fundraising activities using University facilities in accordance with the University Policies, as well as relevant local, state, and federal laws.
- Reserved spaces and tables must display the official name of the student group and be staffed at all times by the members of the student group that has reserved space for the fundraiser or sale. See more information on Tabling.
- The official name of the sponsoring student group must be prominently displayed in all advertising and other communications connected with the fundraising or sales effort, including at the event site itself.
- Registered student groups should be aware of policies pertaining to Use of the University of Minnesota Name, Marks and Logos for Campus Life Programs and Registered Student Organizations for use on any merchandise.
- Groups should save all receipts for expenses incurred as a result of the sale and/or fundraiser and a deposit slip of the amount received from the sale and/or fundraiser. Groups should make a good faith effort to keep all personal transactions separate from student group transactions.
- Failure to comply with University policies and/or local, state, and federal laws could affect student group status with Kirby Student Center. This includes being responsible for any and all taxes associated with your sale and/or fundraiser.
- Student groups conducting a sale or fundraiser must be registered and in good standing with Kirby Student Center.
- A group’s privileges of engaging in sales and/or fundraising activities is subject to immediate cancellation if the methods used interfere with general University operations, are disorderly, improper, obstruct traffic, or if they otherwise interfere with an individual’s rights to privacy and/or freedom from harassment.
- Proceeds must go back to the student group, unless monies collected are intended to benefit an off-campus agency, nonprofit organization or musician, guest speaker, performing artist, etc., and the sales are directly related to an event sponsored by a student group. Off-campus agencies, nonprofit organizations, musicians, guest speakers, or performing artists shall not be permitted to solicit funds on campus unless they have a contract with the University of Minnesota or are sponsored by a student group as a sales and/or fundraising activity in accordance with the following procedures outlined by Student Unions and Activities.
- Sales and/or fundraising activities shall not be conducted in classrooms, campus offices, residential facilities, and/or other University buildings, without written consent of the instructor or appropriate administrator.
- No individuals may profit as a result of the sale and/or fundraiser.
- Sales conducted by non-University vendors invited by student groups to participate in a student group-sponsored event at a University facility (including outdoor spaces) must abide by all University policies and procedures that apply to that facility and as permitted by its responsible administrator(s). When the reservation solely consists of a table, personnel from non-University vendors or companies are not allowed at the table when sales or sales-related fundraising or commercial activities are being conducted.
- Sales and/or fundraising activities involving food must comply with the Policy for Serving Food or Refreshments on University Property in association with meetings, social gatherings, and special events, including filing all necessary permits with the Environmental Health and Safety Office.
- Groups that conduct a bake sale on campus must seek out the appropriate permits as outlined through the Environmental Health and Safety Office.
Gambling
- Gambling is illegal in the State of Minnesota without an approved permit. Student groups generally may not conduct any gambling tournaments or games of chance with or without a permit from the state and may ONLY conduct a raffle with an approved permit from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board. Please see below for more details on gambling.
- Groups may not host "raffles" without a permit from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, as raffles by definition involve ticket sales. "Prize drawings" are permitted without a state permit so long as money is not exchanged.
- University policy prohibits the use of University property by non-University entities for the purpose of revenue generation or the sale, solicitation, or promotion of goods or services. (Policy: Use and Lease of Real Estate: Appendix to Policy: Using and Leasing University Real Estate (Permissible Uses and Scheduling Priority, Non-permissible uses 1 and 2)
- Registered student groups may have non-University sponsors in support of a primary event; however, the primary purpose of the event cannot be non-University sponsor presence, promotion, or sales.
- When a registered student group has non-University sponsors of an event, insurance requirements and sponsorship agreements may be required.
- If promotional materials, including apparel, are created with sponsor logos, the sponsorship must be acknowledged via text as to not imply a University partnership.
Campus Life Program (CLP) Sales Off-Campus
- All contributions received by CLPs from off-campus sources, with or without approval from the University of Minnesota Foundation, must be channeled through the University of Minnesota Foundation.
- Campus Life Programs wishing to solicit donations or contributions from off-campus sources must obtain the approval of the UMD Office of Advancement if all the following conditions are true:
- The money solicited would be given to the student group for its use.
- The money would be channeled to the student group through the University.
- The amount of money sought is $1,000 or more.
Reporting Prizes & Giveaways
If you are offering payments or prizes to students to incentivize participation in an event or initiative, it must be reported to financial aid. Use the wording below to let students know that it will be reported and could impact their financial aid.
Language to use: "Receipt of this item will be reported to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, and the value of it may have an impact on your financial aid offer. If you have questions you can contact One Stop Student Services and ask to speak with Financial Aid: 218-726-8000, [email protected], 23 Solon Campus Center."
Reporting form link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6wTzwr7E9tv9J4wNkjJjmxQ_av-6dDSr4rDZwvJVN_fc2Cw/viewform
Language for survey:
*NOTE for students receiving financial aid: We are required to report receipt of gift cards to financial aid, in rare cases, this may impact your financial award package.
**NOTE for UMD employees: Gift cards are considered a "cash bonus" and are subject to payroll tax.