As defined by the National Council on Nonprofits, “Corporate sponsorship support is a payment by a business to a nonprofit to further the nonprofit’s mission, that is generally recognized by the nonprofit with an acknowledgment that the business has supported the nonprofit’s activities, programs, or special event.” In other words, sponsorships often have some charitable benefit, though it is important for the donor to consult their tax advisor. (UNLV faculty, staff, and students should not provide tax advice to current or prospective corporate sponsors.)

The UNLV Foundation, as a registered 501(c)3, is the gift-receiving arm of the university. Generally, sponsorship funds will be accepted by the UNLV Foundation and disbursed to the appropriate campus unit(s) after the assessment of an administrative fee.

Please note that corporate-sponsored research is different from a sponsorship. Corporate sponsored research is considered contractual, so the corporation or business receives certain services through this arrangement. Generally, it is not considered philanthropic because there is an expectation of concrete deliverables from the university in exchange for funding. If you have the opportunity to request, or have received, corporate support for a research project, contact your representative in the Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure proper oversight and compliance. However, if there is no expectation of a direct quid pro quo, then such corporate sponsored research may be philanthropic.

As a general rule, the best first step is to contact your unit’s development officer or the Office of CFR if you are interested in soliciting sponsorship support. Corporate engagement happens through a variety of campus channels, and close coordination is important to ensure that our corporate partners are engaged in a thoughtful, appropriate manner.

Additional information on university, athletic, and student organization sponsorships can be found below.

Companies may sponsor events or programs hosted by units across campus. Please note, to ensure appropriate coordination, UNLV Foundation clearance may be required to solicit sponsorships from key corporate partners, or for requests in excess of $5,000. If a faculty or staff member is interested in soliciting a sponsorship from a corporate partner, first contact your unit’s development officer or the Office of CFR to coordinate.

• The amount of the sponsorship should be based on the size/scope of the event, project, or program. This is at the discretion of unit leadership, but units should always feel free to consult their development officer or the Office of CFR for feedback or guidance.
• All benefits connected to the sponsorship should be tracked by the unit and reported to the UNLV Foundation, as these benefits may impact the net total of the company’s charitable contribution. Benefits can be both tangible (e.g., thank you gifts, meals, event registration) and intangible (e.g., corporate brand recognition, event invitations).

If there is interest on the part of the corporate sponsor to utilize UNLV’s logo and marks, review the university’s brand and licensing requirements and consult the appropriate staff with any questions.

Learfield IMG College manages all aspects of UNLV Athletics sponsorships. Please contact UNLV Athletics if you have questions or are interested in exploring a partnership with UNLV Athletics.

Companies may sponsor events or programs hosted by Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) across campus. Please note that, to ensure appropriate coordination, UNLV Foundation clearance may be required to solicit sponsorships from key corporate partners, or for requests in excess of $1,000. If an RSO is interested in soliciting a sponsorship from a corporate partner, the organization’s student leaders should first contact the unit’s development officer (if you are unit-based), or the Division of Student Affairs development office to coordinate. RSOs are also expected to comply with all university policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

• The amount of the sponsorship should be based on the scope of the event, project, or program. This is at the discretion of RSO leaders and their faculty advisor(s).
• All benefits connected to the sponsorship should be tracked by the RSO and reported to the UNLV Foundation, as these benefits may impact the net total of the company’s charitable contribution. Benefits can be both tangible (e.g., thank you gifts, meals, event registration) and intangible (e.g., corporate brand recognition, event invitations).