Judith M. Jobbitt, of the consulting company Bentz Whaley Flessner, describes the fund-raising approaches that are getting results and offers advice for development offices as they work through the recession.

Colleges and universities that receive substantial gifts should consider adopting an overall gift policy that gives them some flexibility in how the gift is used if they don’t have one in place already.

That’s the message Harvey Dale, director of the National Center on Philanthropy and the Law at New York University, gave to advancement administrators attending a fund-raising gathering in New York today.

Mr. Dale said few institutions have such policies, which are increasingly important in today’s philanthropic environment, where some donors have publicly challenged how gifts are being used.

In the case of major gifts, colleges “need something more than just a handshake,” Mr. Dale said.

A sample of a gift agreement handed out at the discussion used this language: “If, as a result of changed conditions in the future, ...

Two California institutions might undergo name changes at their engineering schools after a big donor pleaded guilty last month to a felony charge of lying to financial regulators.

The University of California is contemplating whether to retract the name of the high-tech billionaire from the engineering schools at the system’s Los Angeles and Irvine campuses, the Los Angeles Times reports.

In another recent case, Richard (Dickie) Scruggs and his wife asked the University of Mississippi to take their names off of a music building after he pleaded guilty to bribing a state judge in March.

In an age of mega-donations and ethical lapses, does this latest flap constitute on...

Andrew G. Bennett hasn’t even graduated from Elon University yet, but he’s already a big donor. Mr. Bennett, a senior, plans to donate $50,000 to the university over the next five years.

Mr. Bennett’s gift will go to Safe Rides, a service that provides transportation to students who would otherwise walk home at night or drive after drinking. The gift will allow the program to add a van to its two sedans, and help it add staff members and improve marketing on the campus.

Mr. Bennett says he chose a cause that would allow him to reach as many students as possible.

Mr. Bennett, who has not yet decided what he will do after graduation, says he was inspired by a family friend whose parents made a donation to Elon when he graduated last year.

“For those people who’ve had a great time at college or high school,” he said, “it’s important to be involved, and give back if you can.”

A $1-million bequest made to Michigan State University by a reported deadbeat dad is causing problems for the university.

Gregory E. Bradbury, an MSU alumnus and member of the university’s foundation board, announced the gift in 2004.

Now the donor’s son is lobbying Michigan State’s trustees to divert $45,600 of it to his mother, whom the elder Mr. Bradbury divorced in 2001. That’s the amount the donor owes in child support, the Detroit News reports.

The university has no plans to divert the money upon the donor’s death, raising an interesting question: Should nonprofit organizations be expected to check donors’ backgrounds before accepting big gifts?

Nonprofit institutions seeking new board members often look at whether candidates are wealthy enough to make a significant gift.

But a former college chancellor says that the definition of a candidate with a high capacity to give should be broader.

“Colleges want someone with both the capacity to donate and the time to contribute to the institution,” says Terrence J. MacTaggart, former chancellor of the University of Maine System.

Mr. MacTaggart led a session on “high-performing boards” at the annual meeting of the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities.

During a break in the meeting he offered two other key qualities nonprofit organizations should seek out:

• Independent minds. “You want someone who will keep you from doing dumb things and help you do smart things better,” he said.

• A person who will support high aspirations. “There is no...

Randy Helm and Betsy Flanagan shared the stage on Sunday at a national conference for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, in Boston. Their job: Help new trustees and leaders learn the fund-raising ropes.

Mr. Helm, president of Muhlenburg College, and Ms. Flanagan, vice president for advancement and university relations at Virginia Tech, shared a dozen tips on how to solicit donations. The audience kicked in a few more ideas.

Many have been knocking around for years, but they serve as a good reminder about what works in fund raising. Here are a few of their suggestions:

• Ask high.

• Don’t ask prematurely.

• When you’re looking for a really big gift, bring the president along. (“The donor may be offended if you don’t,” Mr. Helm said.)

• Never forget to find out who else the donor knows.

• Fund raising is like a pickle: “You don’t...