How do I distinguish a Grant from a Gift?

An award to Brown University, for a restricted current purpose received in response to a proposal, which normally has a specific work objective, and includes any of the following features will be considered a grant/contract for purposes of financial accounting and reporting:

• Requires that a detailed budget be followed, with deviation to be approved by the sponsor;
• An award document that requires financial and/or programmatic reports;
• Sponsor defines a period of performance during which funds must be expended and unspent funds must be returned to the sponsor at the conclusion of the project;
• Includes sponsor imposed restrictions with respect to published rules or regulations (e.g., patents, copyrights, or rights in data).

Other awards to Brown University will be considered gifts for the purpose of financial accounting and reporting.

The Office of Sponsored Projects is responsible for administrative, control and reporting of grants and contracts. The Development Office is likewise responsible for gifts.

ORA/ May 2002