840

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS TO SCHOOLS

The Appleton Area School District (AASD) may receive, accept, and use gifts or grants of furniture, books, equipment, supplies, money, scholarships, securities, or other property, real or personal, used or useful for school research and educational purposes.  All monies received as gifts or grants shall be placed in the specified School District account, determined by the Business Services Department. Whenever a School Board receives gifts or grants under this section, it shall make such use thereof, or invest the same in the case of monies, as the donor or grantor specifies.  In the absence of any specific direction as to the use of such gifts or grants by a donor or grantor, the Business Services designee may determine the use of, or invest the same, in accordance with the law applicable to trust investments.

Monetary gifts valued at less than $5,000 may be accepted and acknowledged at the building or department level by the appropriate building administrator, department, or designee. The building administrator, department, or designee shall complete all required documentation and acknowledgment procedures.

Monetary gifts valued at $5,000 or more shall be formally acknowledged by the Board of Education. Building-level staff shall still complete the Gift to District form and all required documentation to ensure proper processing, tracking, and reporting.

This process allows for appropriate recognition of donors, ensures community awareness of significant gifts, and supports accurate planning, budgeting, and inventory management.

While the Board welcomes and appreciates gifts to the District, these gifts must be appropriate for school programs. Gifts that are deemed inappropriate to the operation of the District may be rejected with appreciation stated for the intent of the donor. The District also reserves the right to dispose of any donated property that is no longer needed or considered too costly to maintain.

Soliciting of gifts is permitted if conducted in accordance with Policy 881. 

The District shall not unlawfully discriminate in the acceptance or administration of gifts, bequests, scholarships, or other aids, benefits, or services to students from private agencies, organizations or persons on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or physical, cognitive, emotional or learning disability or any other legally-protected status or classification. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established District complaint procedures.

 

Cross References:
Student Nondiscrimination Complaint Procedure, 411.2-Rule
Student Awards and Scholarships, 460
School and Student Fundraising, 881
Sponsorship, 851.1

Legal References:
Wisconsin State Statutes 118.13, 118.27
Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.03(1)

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Adoption Date: June 26, 1993

Amended Date: August 26, 2002, and May 11, 2026

 

 

840-Rule

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS TO SCHOOLS

Procedures

 

The Appleton Area School District may accept and use any bequest, gift of money or property for a purpose deemed by the Board of Education to be consistent with District goals, beliefs, and values.

The following criteria for accepting gifts or bequests shall be followed.  Accounting for receipts and disbursements of gifts and bequests shall follow generally accepted accounting procedures:

1. All gifts and bequests shall become property of the District. As long as such property is used advantageously in the school in which it is initially placed with its original intent, it will be retained in the building budget.  However, when such use is no longer deemed by the Business Services designee as advantageous, or the facility will no longer be used for school purposes, the Business Services designee will have the right to move the property or recommend to the Board of Education the sale or disposal of the property in a manner that will best serve the interests of the District.
2. Funds obtained by non-school groups through fundraising activities and directed to individual schools or school organizations shall also be considered gifts to the District.
3. All gifts, monetary donations, or items shall be accepted at the building level or by the department or site for which they are intended. At the time of receipt, the individual accepting the gift shall complete and submit a Gift to District form to the Superintendent’s Office. A formal acknowledgment letter will be prepared by the appropriate building administrator or their designee. Gifts exceeding $5,000 shall be also formally acknowledged by the Board of Education.
4. Acceptance of any gift must satisfy the following guidelines.

The gift will:

• be offered by a donor acceptable to the District.  The primary beneficiary must be the school and the students being served.  Donations benefiting both the school and a vendor will be allowed only if the business does not expect reciprocal privileges or preferential treatment. Further, the benefit must go primarily to the student and not the vendor involved.
• place no restrictions on or alter in any way the Board of Education-approved programs and services.  
• not require an explicit endorsement by the school, department, or District. Notwithstanding this provision, it is acceptable for the donor to publicize the making of the gift if the District approves such publicity in advance.  

The gift may be rejected if it:

• is not consistent with the District’s educational philosophy or State law, such as Wis. State Statute 118.13 Pupil Nondiscrimination. 
• does not support the curriculum.
• involves major costs for installation or maintenance.
• commits the District to an extensive financial outlay for procurement, replacement, repair, disposal, or future purchases. 
• is deemed objectionable by the District.  

5. Although unrestricted gifts will be accepted if they meet the above criteria, donors are encouraged to indicate, verbally or in writing, the intended purpose and use of the gift. For non-monetary gifts, any stated value shall be provided by the donor; the District does not assign or verify the value of such items.

6. Acceptance and awarding of scholarships

• The District encourages student scholarships that meet criteria consistent with this policy.
• Gender restrictive scholarships will be accepted if the overall effect of all financial assistance awarded to students in the District does not discriminate on the basis of gender.
• Information regarding scholarships shall be presented and disseminated in a nondiscriminatory manner.
• Scholarships shall be awarded in accordance with the donor’s intention and criteria.
• A representative group selected by the building principal shall determine who is awarded the scholarship.
• Agencies, organizations, and individuals that provide scholarships without District participation may distribute them during District award ceremonies if the award is not discriminatory or contrary to District values and beliefs.

7. All monetary gifts shall be issued a School District receipt, including the donor name, amount received, and the purpose of the gift, if specified. Funds shall then be forwarded to the Business Services Department and deposited intact into the designated School District depository as soon as possible.

8. The Business Services Department shall be responsible for the proper accounting of all gifts of money and shall do so in accordance with the Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements.