UNT Foundation
The University of North Texas Foundation, Inc. was chartered by the State of Texas in July 1972 as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its incorporators and initial directors were all Regents of North Texas State University, and it was originally named the North Texas State University Educational Foundation, Inc. On February 6, 1981, the Foundation became an independent, institutionally-related foundation with its own Board of Directors, officers, and employees. Other changes through the years included removing the word "Educational" and changing its name to its present form, mirroring the change in the name of the University of North Texas.
UNT Foundation Mission & Purpose
As an institutionally-related foundation, the UNT Foundation functions as a steward of privately contributed resources, ensuring that they’re utilized in accordance with donor intent and maintained separately from public funds. Additionally, the UNT Foundation is uniquely positioned to facilitate gift transactions, support the acquisition and development of real property, and pursue investment opportunities that might prove difficult or impractical for the state institution it serves.
Distributions from endowments and current gift funds held by the UNT Foundation for the benefit of the University of North Texas provide scholarships and other student aid, as well as help fund faculty research, chairs, and professorships. The UNT Foundation endeavors to preserve the value of the endowments in perpetuity through prudent investment and spending practices, so endowed funds will always be available to support UNT's educational mission as one of the nation’s premier higher education institutions.
The UNT Foundation engages talented and dedicated volunteer leaders to support its mission. While public institution boards are typically politically appointed, the UNT Foundation can recruit individuals with the specific capacities essential to effective investment management and business leadership. Involving committed, influential, and independent volunteer leaders in supporting the university is a key benefit institutionally-related foundations provide.
Other advantages offered by the UNT Foundation include:
• As an independent, perpetual entity, the UNT Foundation is well-positioned to steward donor gifts over the long-term in accordance with their intent
• It serves as a private partner for raising and managing funds, yet operates independently of the University of North Texas, unencumbered by certain state regulations
• It can allocate unrestricted funds to urgent needs that the University is unable to support with state-appropriated funds
• As a private 501(c)(3) organization, the UNT Foundation is not subject to Public Freedom of Information Act requests, providing confidentiality for donors and other sensitive information
• It offers flexibility in options for short-term investment of money needed for operating purposes, as well as long-term investment opportunities for endowments
• Service on UNT Foundation’s board attracts committed volunteers who develop a sense of ownership and pride in the University, expanding its support in the community
• In partnership with the University of North Texas’ Division of Advancement, UNT Foundation assists in developing gift agreements that govern accounts established by donors’ gifts