Auburn University Foundation Privacy Policies
The Auburn University Foundation and the Auburn University Real Estate Foundation have made a commitment to safeguard your personally identifiable information and to provide transparency in how we store and use your information.

We collect information including any personal information that you provide us, including but not limited to: name, address, gender, e-mail address, telephone number, net worth, age, estimated income level, interests, data available to the public on social media, and fax number. On occasion we may collect bank information such as credit or debit card information. This financial information is only collected when you make a gift to the Foundation, so that the transfer of the gift may be accomplished. We do not store this particular financial information.

Detailed information about what we collect and what we do with your information is located in our Foundation Privacy Policies.

Auburn University Foundation and Auburn University Real Estate Foundation Privacy Policy for the United States (PDF)
Auburn University Foundation and Auburn University Real Estate Foundation European Union Privacy Policy (PDF)

For questions or concerns regarding our privacy policies or to request information about the data we collect or your personal information, please contact the Auburn University Foundation’s Information Security Officer at aufsecofr@auburn.edu.

Auburn University Foundation Website – Cookies
A cookie is a small file placed onto your device that enables features and functionality. The information contained in a cookie typically includes information collected automatically by the web server and/or information provided voluntarily by the user.

Our AuburnGiving.org website utilizes a technology known as Google Analytics. This technology places cookies on user computers that allow us to gather general statistics regarding how our websites are used. For example, if we know what browser software and screen resolution our users are utilizing, we are better able to design web pages that suit our users. The statistics we generate are aggregate. We do not track the usage patterns of individual users.

If you choose not to accept cookies from our site, our website will create an opt-out cookie which will be stored in your browser folder which will block future Google Analytic cookies from being installed on your browser from our website. You can also manage cookies by activating the setting on your Internet browser that allows you to refuse the setting of all or some cookies. If you turn off cookies, this may change your browsing experience in some cases. Google Analytics also offers a browser add-on (available for most browsers) which allows users to prevent their data from being used by their services across all sites.

Reporting of Suspected Misconduct

High standards, ethical behavior, personal integrity and impartiality are vital to the reputation and ultimate success of the Auburn University Foundation. The best bulwark against misconduct will always be well-informed vigilance by its constituency. In keeping with these expectations, Foundation officers, directors, committee members and contracted staff must foster an environment where suspected misconduct can be reported without fear of retribution. Examples of such behavior include the following:

1. Any action that is illegal;
2. conflicts of interest;
3. fraud;
4. destruction or theft of property;
5. falsification of documents;
6. disclosure of confidential information; and
7. inappropriate language or contact.

Although the Foundation does not have employees, it does have an agreement with Auburn University to provide services by university employees. The university has its own whistleblower policy and method of reporting suspected behavior.

Whistleblower Protection

It is the Foundation’s policy to protect the identity of any whistleblower who, in good faith, reports suspected misconduct in relation to the Foundation. Investigation of all reports of misconduct will be handled by the Foundation’s Audit Committee. To report a problem, contact the AU ethics hot line at this link.

In order to provide essential protection of records used for its governance and administration, the Foundation has established a record retention policy. It is the policy of the Foundation to permanently retain all records pertaining to the corporation, board minutes and those related to tax-exempt status. Other documents related to governance and administration will be retained for a specified period as outlined. Documents that exceed the required retention period may be destroyed according to policy, however, all destruction of documents under this policy shall be halted immediately if an official notice of investigation is received.

DOCUMENTS TO BE RETAINED THREE (3) YEARS AFTER THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE RECORD WAS CREATED:

Bank reconciliations; bank statements; general correspondence; insurance policies; internal reports and petty cash vouchers.

DOCUMENTS TO BE RETAINED SEVEN (7) YEARS AFTER THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THE RECORD WAS CREATED:

Accounts payable schedules; accounts receivable schedules; expired contracts; financial statements; invoices; paid notes receivable and vouchers.

DOCUMENTS TO BE RETAINED PERMANENTLY:

Audit reports; chart of accounts; documents still in effect; deeds, mortgages and bills of sale; depreciation schedules; year-end financial statements; general ledgers; minute books of directors, by-laws, articles of incorporation; property records; endowment related records and correspondence; tax returns and correspondence related to tax exempt status.

A log shall be kept of all documents destroyed according to this policy and shall be maintained permanently.