July 25, 2008

How to Guard Against Donor-Intent Lawsuits

By KATHRYN MASTERSON

If they don't have one in place already, colleges and universities that receive substantial gifts should consider adopting an overall gift policy that gives them some flexibility in how the gift is used.

That was the message Harvey P. Dale, director of the National Center on Philanthropy and the Law at New York University, gave to advancement administrators attending a fund-raising gathering in New York last week.

Mr. Dale said few institutions have such policies, which are