Since private donors play a critical role in the growth of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H), all gifts will be acknowledged within the established gift acknowledgment system. The system ensures that donors are informed of the receipt and use of their gifts.
The president has delegated to the Development Office the responsibility of administering the gift acknowledgment system.
The UTHSC-H will effectively communicate the university's appreciation to all major donors in a systematic manner. Stewardship recognizes that each donor is unique. Stewardship attempts to bring the donor into a more intimate relationship with the university. It is the university's responsibility to instill in the donor a confidence that the gift was given to the right institution.
Individual schools may also wish to recognize donors or groups of donors in other ways at the school's expense and in coordination with the Development Office. All donor recognition is subject to the availability of funds within each school or unit that is the donee.
In every case, the recipient of a gift should acknowledge it promptly with a thank-you letter to the donor. Program directors, department chairs, and deans are encouraged to express appreciation to donors. When appropriate, thank-you letters may also be sent by the president, the vice president for development, and development officers involved in soliciting the gift.
Official receipts for all gift types are generated through the Development Office's electronic record-keeping system and are mailed within 24 hours to the donor.
After a gift is recorded in the Development Office, the Development Office will follow the protocol for thanking the donor and acknowledging receipt of the gift.
All individuals or foundations making gifts of $1,000 or more, and all companies/corporations making gifts of more than $3,000 receive a thank-you letter from the president, generated by the Office of Development. Copies of the signed thank-you letters are sent to the appropriate program directors, department chairs, and deans, who are encouraged to write thank you letters. All individuals or foundations who contribute $999.99 or less (or, in the case of companies/corporations, $3,000 or less) receive acknowledgment in the form of a receipt and thank you card.
Appreciation and recognition of major gifts may take place in a number of ways: Every major donor may expect expeditious acknowledgment and appropriate recognition from the president, dean, and development board chair. A donor who has established a chair or professorship will have an opportunity to visit with the holder along with the president, dean, and/or appropriate individuals. Each endowment donor will receive a report (produced by the appropriate endowment holder) on the use of the gift. Stewardship will continually look for new opportunities and methods to show appreciation to donors.
Updated 2/01