18th Annual CASE Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations: Breaking the Mold

CPE Credit Sessions

Accountants can earn up to 12.5 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits at the 18th Annual CASE Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations, April 13-16, 2010 in Bonita Springs, Fla. Course Level: Group-Live; no prerequisites or advance preparation is required. Only individuals registered for the conference can attend CPE sessions and earn CPE credit. For each CPE credit session, conference attendees must sign-in and remain for the entirety of the session to earn credit.

The following is a list of CPE credit sessions offered at the conference:

Wednesday, April 14

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Executive Benefits for Nonprofit Organizations
With increasing focus by Congress and the public on compensation on all sectors, learn some common (and some uncommon) perks offered in the non-profit industry and how they should be treated from a tax reporting and withholding point of view. We will also discuss the proper disclosure of benefits on Form 990.

Learning Objectives

• Define executive benefits and identify some common and uncommon benefits offered at IRFs and other nonprofit organizations
• Understand how executive benefits should be treated from a tax reporting and withholding point of view.
• Learn how to report and disclose executive benefits on the Form 990.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speaker: Daniel P. Romano, Partner-in-Charge, National Not-For-Profit Tax Practice, Grant Thornton

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
The Not So New Form 990
Now that many organizations have filed the "New 990," learn what others have experienced and some best practice recommendations for your foundations. In addition, we will discuss the key areas of the Form 990 as well as pending changes for 2009 and beyond.

Learning Objectives

• Review principles used by the IRS in the form re-design process
• Examine the key areas of the Form 990 and analyze relevant questions and schedules for IRFs
• Analyze what organizations have learned in filing the New Form 990 and identify best practice recommendations for filing an accurate, complete form.
• Learn pending changes to the form for subsequent filing years.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speaker: Daniel P. Romano, Partner-in-Charge, National Not-For-Profit Tax Practice, Grant Thornton

Improving Information Security
Traditionally, college and university data networks have been open in order to foster access to and sharing of information. However, many institutions are reconsidering this position because risks have increased substantially over the past few years. Colleges and universities have become the source of a growing number of sensitive information disclosures.

Institutionally related foundations are custodians of substantial personally identifiable information (PII) and other sensitive data and must therefore take steps to ensure such information is managed properly. This requires well-trained employees, well-designed and maintained information systems, and constant vigilance. This presentation will provide an overview of the most common information security risks and steps IRFs can take to mitigate them.

Learning Objectives

• Review the scope of sensitive information that may flow through a foundation
• Learn the major sources of risk to information disclosure and possible consequences
• Understand steps that can be taken by system administrators and information workers to protect sensitive information from disclosure

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speaker: Joel Hartman, Vice Provost for Information Technologies and Resources, University of Central Florida

2:15 - 3:30
Foundation Funding and Fees
This session examines traditional institutionally related foundation (IRF) funding structures using data from the 2009 CASE Survey on Foundation Funding Sources and Budget Restructuring. Panelists will discuss how their IRFs fund their operating budgets and any changes they have made or may make to their funding streams.

Learning Objectives

• Examine traditional IRF funding sources using data from the 2009 CASE Survey on Foundation Funding Sources and Budget Restructuring
• Analyze the pros and cons of various IRF funding sources, from endowment management fees to gift fees
• Learn how three IRFs fund their operations and whether their foundations have made or plan to make major changes to their funding sources in the aftermath of the economic downturn.
• Hear best practices for engaging your key board members around how to fund your IRF

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Moderator: Rob Fischman, Chief Financial Officer, University of South Florida Foundation
Speakers: Clark Cropp, Senior Vice President, Kansas University Endowment; Virginia Foltz, Assistant Vice President - Controller, Arizona State University Foundation

Organizational Accountability and Ethics
As leaders of your respective foundations it is not enough that you individually embrace ethical behavior and act ethically. You are responsible for the organizations you serve and assuring that the organization as a whole acts responsibly is a critical part of leadership. We will discuss and offer practical suggestions to make ethics integral to your organization.

Learning Objectives

• Identify ethics as a core business strategy for foundations.
• Discuss and examine some common pitfalls on the road to an ethical organization.
• Learn how to integrate accountability into ethical decisions.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speakers: Harold Parsons, Principal, Nonprofit and Government Group, LarsonAllen LLP; William LeClaire, Principal, Nonprofit and Government Group, LarsonAllen LLP

3:45 - 5:00
Rethinking the Foundation Business Model
It's clear that IRF's face a "new normal." In this interactive session, a distinguished panel of IRF leaders, moderated by Tom Mitchell, will share examples of how their foundations are doing things differently in this new environment.

Learning Objectives

• Examine the traditional IRF business model and how the economic downturn impacted foundation operations.
• Learn how three foundation leaders examined their organizations and made changes in the midst of the downturn.
• Engage in an interactive conversation about how to strengthen the IRF business model and analyze potential strategies for strengthening your foundation.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.5 CPE credits at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Moderator: Tom Mitchell, President, University of California, Irvine Foundation
Speakers: Laura Brehm, President & CEO, University of Montana Foundation; Jim Moore, President, University of Arizona Foundation; Glenn Kaufhold, Executive Director, Miami Dade College Foundation

Thursday, April 15

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Looking Beyond the Recession - An Economic Forecast
Sean Snaith will provide an economic forecast that looks at the causes and consequences of the current state of the business cycle.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the causes and consequences of the current state of the business cycle
• Learn how this cycle compares to previous ones and why the economic downturn happened
• Examine if policy actions have been enough to cure the economy and if the cure could be worse than the disease itself
• Understand how current economic conditions could impact your foundation

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speaker: Sean Snaith, Director, Institute of Economic Competitiveness, University of Central Florida

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Compliance Issues for Small Shops
What are the consequences for an IRF if it has no operating reserves? With the volatility of the current economy, it is important to have a plan in place. We will discuss the need to establish a financial reserve, funding strategies, and the internal controls every small foundation should have in place to protect against fraud.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to evaluate, plan, and calculate your foundation's operating reserve.
• Learn strategies on how to protect and prepare your financial operations from fraud.
• Review internal controls that IRFs should have in place to ensure compliance with federal and state law.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speaker: Leslie Berardo, Partner, Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches, LLP

Setting Spending Policy
As public colleges and universities respond to cuts in state appropriations and declining endowment investment returns, the need for private support becomes greater. Balancing the institutional needs with the state enactment of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) has led many Institutionally Related Foundations (IRFs) to re-examine their spending policies. What is the best spending model for your foundation? This session will examine the pros and cons of various models using the University of Iowa Foundation as a case study. Strategies for how to communicate about your IRF's spending policy will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the impact of UPMIFA and the current economic environment on foundation spending policies.
• Examine the pros and cons of various foundation and institution spending models.
• Learn how to communicate about your spending policy with key stakeholders.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speakers: Tiffani Shaw, Executive VP, COO & CFO, University of Iowa Foundation; Christopher Meyer, Managing Principal, Fund Evaluation Group

1:30 - 2:45
Leveraging your Auditor Relationship to Enhance Communications with Governance and Foundation Constituents
Your auditor is your partner for financial accounting and compliance, not your adversary. The focus of this session will show how to partner with your auditors year round to ensure your foundation is in compliance with financial accounting standards and the ever changing world of accountability and transparency.

Learning Objectives

• Examine the current economic environment and the outlook for higher education and institutionally related foundations.
• Learn how to look at your foundation's financial statement through the eyes of users.
• Analyze the five critical risks facing higher education and IRFs and learn the top ten issues foundation leaders face when working with their audit committee.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speakers: John Carter, President and Chief Operating Officer, Georgia Tech Foundation; Milford W. McGuirt, Partner, National Audit Sector Leader, KPMG

3:00 - 4:00
IRS Update
From the new Form 990 to the college and university compliance project, the IRS continues to take an active look at the activities of higher education institutions. Lois Lerner will update participants on IRS priorities and their potential impact on IRFs.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the IRS Exempt Organizations Division's priorities for 2010 and analyze how they may affect your foundation.
• Review current IRS initiatives that impact IRFs, including the college and university compliance project and the new Form 990.
• Examine interim findings of the college and university compliance project and discuss their implications for colleges, universities and IRFs (if the interim findings have been released).

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 1.0 CPE credit at this session.
Program Level: Overview
Speaker: Lois Lerner, Director, Exempt Organizations, Internal Revenue Service

4:15 - 6:15
Optional Seminar: Update on FASB Activities
Jeffrey Mechanick of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) will update attendees on FASB matters of interest to IRFs and their auditors, to help them "stay ahead of the FASB curve."

Learning Objectives

• Analyze implementation matters and recent guidance concerning Fair Value (FAS 157), especially the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) on Fair Value of Alternative Investments and on Fair Value Disclosures
• Examine implementation matters concerning NFP Endowments and UPMIFA (FSP FAS 117-1).
• Learn about FASB's comprehensive Exposure Draft on Accounting for Financial Instruments and its potential impact on IRFs
• Learn about FASB's Disclosure Framework Project and how it could impact your foundation.

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 2.0 CPE credits at this session.
Program Level: Overview
Speaker: Jeffrey Mechanick, Assistant Director, Financial Accounting Standards Board

Friday, April 16

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Commonfund Seminar: Investments and Risk Management
William Martin will provide practical guidance and strategies for strengthening risk management, with a specific focus on lessons learned from the recent financial crisis. Following his presentation, William Jarvis will provide an update from the new NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments on foundation endowment performance, asset allocation trends, spending and other key financial and governance metrics.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how leading risk managers are identifying and controlling the multiple risks that arise in the context of managing perpetual portfolios
• Analyze the challenges facing boards and investment committees in implementing complex portfolios while understanding and managing these risks
• Identify the most recent investment and governance trends in educational endowments, with a particular focus on IRFs

CPE Credit: Conference attendees can earn up to 2.0 CPE credits at this session.
Program Level: Basic
Speakers: William Jarvis, Managing Director Commonfund Institute; William Martin, Chief Risk Officer, Commonfund

Refunds/Cancellations

Cancellation of conference registrations must be received by CASE in writing by 5:00 pm ET, via fax at 202-624-1766 (Attn: CASE Conference Registration) or via e-mail at conferences@case.org. If CASE receives your cancellation:

• At least three weeks before the conference start date - You will receive a full refund.
• One to two weeks before the conference start date - CASE will refund your registration fee less a $60 processing fee.
• Less than one week before the conference start date - You will not receive a refund.
• "No-shows" will not receive a refund

For more information regarding refund, complaint and/or program cancellation policies, please contact Brian Flahaven at 202-478-5617 or flahaven@case.org.

CASE is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417. Web site: www.nasba.org.