General Gift Acceptance Principles

Gifts to MIT are a critical revenue stream that supports the Institute’s ongoing activities. Every gift, regardless of size, fuels the engine of MIT’s impact on the world. Donors help ensure that MIT has the resources to nurture talent, meet unexpected opportunities, and pursue bold ideas. 

The following are the principles that guide MIT’s approach to accepting gifts:

• Definition of a Gift — A gift to MIT is a transfer of cash or property for which the donor does not receive any benefits of material value in exchange. In accordance with IRS guidance, the donor voluntarily and irrevocably transfers ownership and control of the cash or property to MIT.
• Academic Freedom — MIT is committed to academic freedom and integrity, and gifts should enable that commitment. MIT retains sole authority over the direction, management, and operation of its affairs, including its academic activities, admission and hiring processes, and financial aid awards.
• Gift Acceptance Integrity — MIT reserves the right to forgo any offered gift that is not aligned with the Institute’s needs and priorities or imposes an undue financial or administrative burden on MIT’s resources, would injure the reputation or standing of the Institute, or was acquired by unlawful activities.
• Designation of Purpose — Donors may designate gifts to specific departments, activities, or initiatives at the Institute. MIT strives to ensure that gifts are in amounts appropriate to carry out their specified use and are applied in alignment with donor intent. If the purpose of a gift becomes impossible or impractical to carry out, MIT reserves the right to modify the application of the gift, giving appropriate notice and recognition to the donor to the extent possible.
• Donor Recognition — MIT may recognize the generosity of donors through the naming of funds, spaces, academic activities, or positions. While names are meant to be durable, either lasting for a period of years or indefinitely, the Institute reserves the right to review their appropriateness in the future and remove or modify if deemed appropriate.
• Investment and Management of Gift Proceeds — MIT shall retain sole control over the investment and management of gift funds.
• Donor Privacy — MIT is committed to protecting the privacy of its donors. MIT will respect a donor’s request not to have their name publicly disclosed, to the extent permitted by law, although the donor’s name will be known within MIT in order to administer the gift.