Program Sponsorship and Naming of Local Extension Programs

OSU Extension Administrative Cabinet does not consider it in the best interest of county Extension programs to name specific local activities or events after a sponsor, unless the sponsorship meets OSU Development Fund criteria for endowed programs. OSU Development Fund Criteria are:

• Endowed Chair $3 million minimum
• Endowed Program $50,000 minimum
  

The naming of an event, such as the “xxxxx Field Day” places the identity of the sponsor above
the identity of OSU Extension and may imply that one of our core values “unbiased delivery of
information” is being compromised.

In an effort to market OSU Extension to local citizens, we prefer that sponsors and donors to
local programming efforts be recognized by listing on all information about the program. If the
local office wants to adopt recognition categories, such as “gold,” “silver” and “bronze” for
program funding, they may do so. It may be helpful to funders to use consistent recognition
categories for all local programs in a particular county.

It is highly encouraged that contributions to programs be treated as gifts using the OSU Gift
process so individual and/or corporations receive maximum credit.

For more information, see the OSU Extension cost recovery website, section on “gifts” at:
http://extadmin-cms.ag.ohio-state.edu/cost-recovery-policies/section-iv-gifts

Examples:
1) Program name for marketing:
- OSU Extension Forage Field Day, sponsored by xxxxxxx (list individual and/or corporate sponsors)
2) Use of a disclaimer statement when commercial products or names are used:
This type of statement is often used at the end of a fact sheet or on program flyer when a product or company name appears in the content.

“No endorsement is intended for companies and/or products mentioned, nor is criticism meant for those not mentioned.”

Administrative Cabinet Approved 04/13/2006

Reviewed January 2009