Established in 1970, the NKU Foundation was created to manage privately donated gifts for Northern Kentucky University. The Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization governed by an elected Board of Directors. Since its inception, the Foundation has helped transform NKU from undeveloped farmland into a thriving, metropolitan university that has spent the last 50 years dedicated to living our mission of engaging, empowering and elevating the people and region we serve.
While state appropriations help fund NKU's basic operating budget, the Foundation provides other sources of revenue necessary for our continued advancement. Gifts from generous donors have funded student scholarships, campus expansion and renovations, athletics, the arts, technology upgrades, community outreach programs, faculty residencies, honors learning, and more. There are several ways to invest in NKU. Your gift can be as personal as your legacy.
Our mission is to secure, invest, steward, and distribute private resources in support of Northern Kentucky University, to advocate for the University's best interests, and to build lasting relationships with alumni and friends.
The NKU Foundation will be the most impactful foundation of all regional public university foundations.
The Foundation’s 2020-2030 Strategic Plan focuses on four pillars in support of student success.
Officers/Executive Team
Members
Ex-Officio
The Honorable Kris Knochelmann
The Honorable Gary Moore
The Honorable Steven Pendery
Emeritus
The NKU Foundation gives members an opportunity to become personally involved in its fund raising and asset-management program. Here are the responsibilities of eight committees that assure the Foundation's effective operation:
The Advocacy Committee is a group of advocates for NKU who are focused on notifying and petitioning state legislators of the need for funding for NKU related projects and support.
The Executive Committee recommends actions for approval of the full Board and sometimes acts for the Board, within carefully defined boundaries, between meetings. This committee is central to the effective operation of the Foundation and meets frequently to review operational, programmatic, and financial matters.
The Finance and Audit Committee provides supervision and oversight of the Foundation's financial affairs and responsibilities. It also oversees and reviews the annual financial audit of the Foundation.
The Corporate Governance/Membership Committee provides oversight of the Foundation's structure, reviews policies and processes to ensure compliance with the Foundation's mission and acceptable governance practices, identifies and recruits prospective board members dedicated to the Foundation's mission of advancing NKU, and develops practices and recommends strategies and policies that attract, orient, educate, organize, motivate, engage, and assess the performance of board members.
The Investment Committee monitors and evaluates the investment of Foundation assets and recommends investment policies to the full Board.
This committee assists Northern Kentucky University in identifying and soliciting corporations and foundations for donations. It strives to establish and build mutually beneficial relationships between the business community and the university. The committee also provides oversight to planned giving activities.
The Real Estate Committee oversees the receipt, maintenance and disposal of Foundation real estate. The committee establishes policies for receiving gifts of property, examines property to determine its acceptability as a gift, and assists the Foundation in the maintenance and disposal of real estate. The Real Estate Committee meets on an as-needed basis.
The attached policy of the Discretionary Expenditure Policy/Matrix Guide has been created to provide information concerning categories of allowable discretionary purchases, the appropriate source of funds to be used for these purchases, and the approvals necessary prior to the expenditure of these funds. Click on the link above to view the policy matrix.
Given the current financial climate in the Commonwealth it is more important than ever that we remain diligent in our roles as budget unit administrators and make all expenditures in order to accomplish or support a specific business purpose.
Please click here for a list of frequently asked questions related to Foundation accounts and expenditures.
Information about NKU's Foundation's tax-exempt status can be viewed here.
The administrative gift fee is 0%.
Download instructions for an electronic stock gift. If you have questions, call us at (859) 572-5126.
IRS Meal and Entertainment Form. A signed IRS Meal and Entertainment Form must be included with any request for payment of meals or entertainment expenses.
Lost Receipt Form. This form is to be utilized only if a copy of receipt can not be obtained. Please include the fully completed and signed form with your IRS Meal and Entertainment Form.
The NKU Foundation Inc. (NKUF) Cash Transmittal carbon paper form has been replaced with an electronic version of the form. Click here to open a PDF version of the form to be used when making a deposit to a NKU Foundation account.
Once the form is complete, print two (2) copies of the completed form – place one copy in the NKUF secure tamper-resistant deposit bag labeled ‘Checks/Deposit Slip/Documentation Only.’ Staple the tear-off top portion of the tamper resistant bag that details the date, amount, and bag # to the second copy of the form. Keep this copy outside of the bag compartments but take it with you delivering the deposit to Student Account Services. The representative receiving your deposit will sign this copy upon your delivery to them. It will serve as your receipt that the deposit was received by Student Account Services.
Units that would like to receive an electronic copy of processed NKUF Cash Transmittal Forms should contact Advancement Services (859) 572-7709 if the deposit was a gift contribution and NKU Fdn. Accounting (859) 572-6608 if the deposit was a non-gift contribution.
If you have questions about deposits to the Foundation please contact Advancement Services at (859) 572-7709 or (859) 572-6976 with questions.
Faced with declining state investment, NKU remains committed to maintaining an affordable quality education.
NKU students are the region’s future leaders. Close to 80% of graduates choose to live, work, and thrive in our regional economy, filling the talent pipeline required for continued growth and share prosperity.
Many NKU students come to the university facing challenges: 25% are from families with less than $50,000 in annual household income; 45% are “post-traditional” (over the age of 22); more than half are first-generation; many have families of their own to care for and most have jobs, some working full time while completing their educations. All are working hard to pursue their dreams.
Private support provides a sustainable source of funding to the university, closing the financial gap that state and federal funds cannot provide. Private support provides an education and opportunities to our students that will empower them to attain fulfilling lives as our region’s future leaders. Private support provides critical navigational support for students who are facing life’s challenges.
Your support takes our students, university and region further, helping deserving students access higher education, complete their educational goals no matter the challenges and engage with their communities. You can change lives, create leaders and transform the region and beyond.
Northern Kentucky University
Nunn Drive, AC 822
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-5126
