The UNT Foundation performs several important services for the benefit of the University of North Texas, but its primary function is endowment fund management. Endowment funds are created by donated gifts that are invested to produce a permanent flow of income. The income is used year after year to support the university activity of the donor’s choosing, such as student scholarships, research funding, faculty support, fellowships and lectureships. The UNT Foundation processes gifts to create endowments, sets up appropriate accounts, invests the funds according to Board of Directors’ policy, tracks income and expenses, produces and distributes reports, as well as manages all transactions for each fund.

Gifts of Stock, Securities, Bonds, Financial Papers
The UNT Foundation processes gifts of stock and securities for eventual transfer to either the Foundation or the university. Employing professional brokerage, accounting and legal services the UNT Foundation handles all types of securities, bonds, stocks and other financial papers. Usually liquidated immediately, the gifts are added to the Foundation’s investment pool.

Special Gifts and Other Assets
For special gifts and other assets that require customized handling, the UNT Foundation is able to assist with the transfer to the university or the Foundation. Examples of such gifts include operating corporations, real estate, collections and tangible personal property, time shares, mineral interests, vehicles and royalty and patent interests. Professional advisors working with Foundation staff facilitate the transfer of ownership of these "hard-to-handle" assets and work with the donor’s advisors to accommodate the appraisal, valuation, contractual, title, physical transfer and proper reporting of donated assets.

Life Income Funds Management
The management of life income funds for grantors and income beneficiaries is another service provided by the Foundation. This includes working with Charitable Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, Remainder Life Estates (residences), insurance policies and other long-term estate management vehicles. The Estate Planning staff in the UNT Office of Development works with donors and their advisors to consider the various options available. Once agreeable arrangements are finalized, the Foundation serves as Trustee and provides such services as creating contracts, the acceptance of Trust documents, receiving gifted assets, the investment of funds and managing income beneficiary payments. Custodial and preparation of tax information are included services.

Memorandum of Understanding
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the formal agreement that guides an account established by a donor’s gifts. The MOU is signed by the (1) donor, (2) UNT president, (3) dean of the school or college, and (4) chairperson of the UNT Foundation Board of Directors. The MOU specifies how the endowed fund is to be managed, to which University entity the distribution amount is to be applied and any criteria for the use of the distribution amount.

Office of Development staff usually initiate the creation of an MOU, working closely with the donor and the executive director of the UNT Foundation, who produces a MOU agreeable to all parties.