1. Have you identified potential faculty member recipients of these funds?

No, we have not. We anticipate that the Faculty Task Force will identify the faculty members, to be approved by the CBAP Board of Directors.

2. How do you plan to deliver these funds to the Faculty members?

We will transfer the funds to the University, subject to a gift agreement for distribution to faculty members. 

3. Will these funds be in place of funding which the faculty members might otherwise be privy to from University Administration sources?

Potentially although timing may be an issue.  We believe that faculty members will use the funds from the Opportunity fund to prepare a proposal to the University that will unlock other University funds. 

4. Will these funds go directly to the Faculty members, or will they first be sent to the University for distribution to the Faculty members?

See 2 above

5.Is there any concern that the University might not distribute the funds as requested?

There is a low level of concern.  The University runs a high level of risk if it did not honor our grant agreement. Members of the task force have experience where the University offered to return funds because the original request could not be honored.   

6. Will the funds be used for preparation of a proposal for the Center, or for the Faculty member’s professional work?

Funds will be designated for the preparation of a proposal for the Center, for the Center itself, and for expenses associated with the Fund.

7. How will these funds be stored financially and what are the accounting and tax issues regarding these funds?

Currently they are stored in CBAP’s accounts at PNC in a separate account.  The funds are not taxable. 

8. Who will be deciding on, and what criteria will be used in distributing the funds?

The CBAP Board of Directors will be responsible for determining the criteria and distribution of the funds. 

9. In the event that the funds are not distributed as originally intended, will they be returned with interest to the donor or used for other purposes?

The funds are not currently in an interest-bearing account.  We should specify that any additional funds may be distributed to the actual Center, or returned if the Center were not to move forward.

10. How will you promote “transparency” of this “Opportunity Fund” to show the amounts donated, the specific donors, the Faculty recipients and the amount granted?

We will provide an annual report on the 

11. Will there be any safeguards in place to insure that funds received are not “tainted” i.e. that they are consistent with IRS guidelines?

After the Fund reaches scale, approximately $50,000 we should have an annual audit to ensure that we are consistent with IRS regulations.  

12. What is the estimated minimum amount necessary to be raised in order to meet your goals, and how did you arrive at that figure?

Based upon comments provided by both the Department of African American Studies as well as the School of Public and International Affairs, we believe that $100,000 to 150,000 is the target to be raised to support the faculty in drafting the proposal for the Center.

13. Is it at all possible that my donation can be   credited as a donation to the University as well?

The donation will be made by CBAP on behalf of all the donations but we can certainly provide a list of donors to the University at the option of the donors.

14. Is there any possibility that the University will perceive this “Opportunity Fund” as an infringement to their alumni donation campaigns?

There is always a potential for some perception, but given the fact that President Eisgruber challenged us to create a groundswell of faculty support for a center, we believe that this outreach is consistent with fundraising objectives. Further, the initial amounts we are talking about are low compared to the University endeavors.  Finally we believe that we are identifying donors who are otherwise not giving regularly to the University.

15. How do you plan to indemnify this fund from unintended depletion such as theft?

Once we get to a level of $50,000, we will have the Treasurer bonded to protect the Fund.