Types of Funds
1. Sponsored Projects (5 ledger funds)
2. Self-Support Funds (9 ledger funds)
3. Designated Funds (2-ledger funds)
4. Gifts (C Ledger Funds for The Campanile Foundation)
Generally, awards and projects can be grouped into four types: sponsored projects, self-supported projects, designated, and gifts. The director of SR development, in consultation with the associate executive director of sponsored research services, is responsible for determining under which category new funds are awarded.
1. Sponsored Projects (5 ledger funds)
Sponsored Projects (5-ledger funds) activities involve a sponsor providing funds or other resources with conditions attached. A proposal is typically submitted to a funding agency, resulting in an award document that provides funds and identifies terms and conditions required to conduct a specified scope of work. The following is a sample of some of the criteria considered when determining if an award will be designated as a sponsored project:
- Is the source of funds federal or federal pass through?
- Are funds from a state agency, municipality or foundation?
- Is the activity to be performed research? Instruction? Public service?
- Is there an award document that stipulates the method of payment as cost reimbursable, fixed price or letter of credit?
- Are there technical or fiscal reporting requirements?
- Is there a definite project start and end date?
- Are there any restrictions on specific uses of funds?
- Did the sponsor include a line item budget that identifies expenditures by activity, function or project period?
- Is there cost sharing or matching of funding requirements?
- Is there reference to terms and conditions such as compliance with federal or state regulations, allowable vs. unallowable costs, subcontracting, etc.?
- Are there record retention requirements?
- Are there contract clauses indicating the funding entity retains the right to audit or inspect pertinent financial documents, expenditures or other related records?
- Is there testing on animals or humans?
2. Self-Support Funds (9 ledger funds)
Self-Support funds (9-ledger funds) are projects that do not receive an award or donation from a particular funding source, but receive revenues based on activities, services or products provided by a project. These types of funds are called "Campus and Community Programs or "self-support funds" by SDSU Research Foundation and are funded primarily by the local community and augment the educational program of the university. SDSU Research Foundation charges a nominal 6% administrative fee on expenditures and retains interest earned on cash balances to offset costs of administration.
Campus and Community Programs (CCP) funds can be classified into two broad categories: community-related and general campus service programs. Community-related programs have substantial interaction with individuals, corporations, and organizations in the local community. Examples of these programs include KPBS Public Television and Radio Stations, Friends of the Malcolm A. Love Library, and the College of Extended Studies. The category of general campus service programs includes activities relating to university faculty and staff and official on-campus organizations. Examples of these programs include SDSU Press, Student Resource Center and drama productions.
3. Designated Funds (2-ledger funds)
The designated funds (2 ledger) are funds set up for allocations from SDSU Research Foundation's general funds, which have been approved by the board of directors. Research Support Funds are included in this category. For more information visit Research Support Funds.
4. Gifts (C Ledger Funds for The Campanile Foundation)
Gifts are donations of cash, real property, equipment, or other items of value that may or may not have restrictions as to the use of the funds. Elements of a gift donation or bequest include:
- It is given without return of value to the donor, and may include funds for such activities as endowments, scholarships, capital projects or general student financial assistance.
- No reporting required other than minimal reporting to the donor in the form of a general statement of how funds were used.
- It involves no written or oral contractual requirements.
- No intellectual property, confidentiality or publication conditions associated with the receipt of the funds.
- No record retention or audit requirements.
- It is awarded irrevocably.
The Campanile Foundation is a tax-exempt, philanthropic entity that is an auxiliary organization of SDSU. The Campanile Foundation is responsible for the acceptance of gifts and ownership of most endowments. SDSU Research Foundation is responsible for the accounting and administration for these funds to prevent the duplication of existing services. Gift funds are established as C ledgers and are assigned to an SR administrator in the same manner as sponsored projects and campus programs. In accordance with the agreement between the Campanile Foundation and SDSU Research Foundation, SDSU Research Foundation charges a nominal 6% administrative fee on expenditures and retains interest earned on non-endowment cash balances to offset costs of administration.