A New Foundation

Q. Why does MCG have a foundation to manage its philanthropic gifts?

Answer: Now, more than ever in our history, we must be able to rely fully on our cooperative partners to support MCG’s vision of becoming one of the nation’s premier academic health centers. At present, we’re growing the class size in our School of Dentistry, adding new distance learning sites to expand the reach of our schools of Allied Health Sciences and Nursing, and operationalizing an aggressive statewide expansion of our medical education program to meet Georgia’s critical physician shortage. To accommodate these ambitious initiatives, we have partnered with local government to increase our campus footprint in Augusta, formed educational and clinical partnerships in Athens, Savannah and Albany, and begun seeking numerous financial partners to help us build new facilities. Growth of this scope requires strong partnerships with our cooperative organizations.

Q. When was the Georgia Health Sciences Foundation formed?

Answer: The Georgia Health Sciences Foundation was established in August 2008 and has been granted its 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service to receive charitable gifts.

Q. What happens to the funds currently held by the MCG Foundation?

Answer: Funds established with the MCG Foundation, Inc. will not automatically be transferred to the GHS Foundation. However, any foundation is bound by law to honor the intentions of donors who have made gifts in support of a specific entity or cause – in this case, scholarships, research, projects and programs at the Medical College of Georgia.

Q. Do I need to do anything differently to use the MCG Foundation dollars assigned to my department and/or project?

Answer: Until you are notified by the MCG Foundation, Inc., continue all business practices (check requests, etc.) related to use of MCG Foundation funds as usual.

Q. Are “unrestricted” gifts to the MCG Foundation still used to support MCG?

Answer: The MCG Foundation has traditionally used “unrestricted” dollars to cover its own operating expenses and, at its discretion, in support of MCG.

Q. I am making regular contributions to MCG through payroll deductions, bank drafts or credit card charges. Do I need to do anything?

Answer: Regular contributions made through these means will be handled as usual by the MCG Foundation. If, however, you wish to direct your contributions in a different way, please contact Debby Kalliokoski, director of annual fund, at 706-721-3397 or dkalliokoski@mcg.edu.

Q. What happens to my TeamMCG and/or President’s Corporate Partners contributions?

Answer: Your annual contributions made before August 2008 through TeamMCG and/or President’s Corporate Partners will continue to be managed by the MCG Foundation through June 30, 2009, unless you request that a change be made. Your perpetual contribution made before August 2008 will continue to be managed by the MCG Foundation indefinitely, unless you request a change.

Annual and perpetual contributions made after August 2008 will be managed by the Georgia Health Sciences Foundation.

Q. I am planning to remember MCG in my will or through another type of testamentary gift. Do I need to do anything?

Answer: Please contact Tony Duva, associate vice president for gift planning, at 706-721-1939 or aduva@mcg.edu.

Q. I just established a new scholarship, but it's not fully endowed yet. What are my options?

Answer: It depends—every case will be handled individually. Talk with your Development Officer or send your contact information to GIVE2MCG@mcg.edu for more information.

Q. Can I move my scholarship/chair/program fund to the GHS Foundation?

Answer: Funds currently held by the MCG Foundation, Inc., will continue to be managed by that organization. Talk with your Development Officer or send your contact information to GIVE2MCG@mcg.edu for more information.

Q. Should I contact the same person as I do now for information about my fund and for making future donations?

Answer: Yes. Development Officers and staff members in the MCG Office of Development will assist in managing and expanding funds held by both foundations.