Athens, Ga. – In response to correspondence from both the University of Georgia and the University System of Georgia, the University of Georgia Foundation today announced that its executive committee had met to consider the possibility of foundation funds being used to pay for domestic partner benefits.
The question was raised about using private funding from the University of Georgia Foundation to assume full responsibility for funding, insuring, accounting for, and administering a health care program for domestic partner benefits.
This was brought to the foundation since state funds cannot be expended for health care benefits for persons not recognized as dependents by current State of Georgia law and policy. The University of Georgia Foundation is totally supported by state employees whose benefits are administered by the University of Georgia.
At the conclusion of the foundation’s annual meeting on June 21, Chairman Bill Young Jr. announced that the executive committee had carefully evaluated the possibility of foundation funds being used for domestic partner benefits and agreed by unanimous vote, with one abstention, that such use was not consistent with, and is outside the purview of, the foundation’s mission.
The University of Georgia Foundation Mission
The mission of The University of Georgia Foundation is to provide: support for the teaching, research, public service and outreach programs of the University of Georgia by means of volunteer leadership and assistance in development and fundraising activities; fiduciary care for the assets of the Foundation for the long-term benefit and enhancement of the University; and, broad advice, consultation and support to the president of the university.
