From: Trevor Young, Vice-President and Provost
Date: October 3, 2025
Re: New Provostial Guidelines on Gift Acceptance and Gift Administration

All of the University of Toronto’s fundraising and resulting donations, including the processes for accepting and administering these gifts, are subject to the university’s core academic principles and values as expressed in the University of Toronto Statement of Institutional Purpose (1992), the university’s Statement on Freedom of Speechand in article 5 of the Memorandum of Agreement between The Governing Council of the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association.

These donations are also subject to the principles outlined in the university’s Statement on Research Partnerships for philanthropic research gifts or grants, and in the university’s Procedures for the Human Rights Review of International Projects, Agreements, and Other International Activity for donations from international donors or for international projects.

The new Provostial Guidelines on Gift Acceptance and Gift Administration set out the parameters for the university’s acceptance of donations and the subsequent administration of gifts, and uphold the university’s principles and policies in all aspects of gift solicitation and acceptance, including the Provostial Guidelines on Donations and the Guidelines on Fundraising Strategy and Programs. The new Guidelines were developed following extensive consultation.

These new Guidelines highlight the importance of due diligence and conflict of interest review, gift agreement requirements, parameters for recognition and anonymity and governance and public disclosure standards. They were presented to Business Board for information.