Fla. Stat. § 267.1736 — Florida Code / Title XVIII / Chapter 267 / Section 267.1736
267.1736 Direct-support organization.
Status: in_force

(1) The University of Florida shall authorize a direct-support organization to assist the university in carrying out its dual historic preservation and historic preservation education purposes and responsibilities for the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and the state under s. 267.1735 by raising money; submitting requests for and receiving grants from the Federal Government, the state or its political subdivisions, private foundations, and individuals; receiving, holding, investing, and administering property; and making expenditures to or for the benefit of the university. The sole purpose for the direct-support organization is to support the historic preservation efforts and historic preservation education programs and initiatives of the university. Such a direct-support organization is an organization that is: (a) Incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State as a Florida corporation not for profit; (b) Organized and operated to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of the university; and (c) Approved by the university to be operating for the benefit of and in a manner consistent with the goals of the university and in the best interest of the state.

(2) The number of the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall be determined by the president of the university. Membership on the board of directors of the direct-support organization shall include the professional expertise needed to ensure that the university is meeting its dual purposes of historic preservation and historic preservation education. Such membership shall include, but not be limited to, a licensed architect who has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history, a professional historian in the field of American history, and a professional archaeologist. All board members must have demonstrated interest in the preservation of Florida’s historical and archaeological heritage. Membership on the board of directors must be representative of the areas of the state served by the direct-support organization and the university in its preservation efforts. The president of the university, or the president’s designee, shall serve as a member of the board of directors.

(3) The direct-support organization shall operate under written contract with the university. The contract must provide for: (a) Approval of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the direct-support organization by the university. (b) Submission of an annual budget for the approval of the university. The budget must comply with rules adopted by the university. (c) Certification by the university that the direct-support organization is complying with the terms of the contract and in a manner consistent with the historic preservation goals and purposes of the university and in the best interest of the state. Such certification must be made annually by the university and reported in the official minutes of a meeting of the university. (d) The reversion to the university, or the state if the university ceases to exist, of moneys and property held in trust by the direct-support organization for the benefit of the university if the direct-support organization is no longer approved to operate for the university or if the university ceases to exist. (e) The fiscal year of the direct-support organization, which must begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the following year. (f) The disclosure of material provisions of the contract and the distinction between the University of Florida and the direct-support organization to donors of gifts, contributions, or bequests, as well as on all promotional and fundraising publications.

(4) The university may authorize a direct-support organization to use its property (except money), facilities, and personal services, subject to the provisions of this section and s. 1004.28. A direct-support organization that does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin may not use the property, facilities, or personal services of the university. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “personal services” includes full-time personnel and part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.

(5) The university shall establish policies prescribing the procedures by which the direct-support organization is governed and any conditions with which a direct-support organization must comply to use property, facilities, or personal services of the university.

(6) Any moneys may be held in a separate depository account in the name of the direct-support organization and subject to the provisions of the contract with the university. Such moneys may include lease income, admissions income, membership fees, private donations, income derived from fundraising activities, and grants applied for and received by the direct-support organization.

(7) The direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 1004.28.

(8) Provisions governing direct-support organizations in s. 1004.28 and not provided in this section shall apply to the direct-support organization.

(9) Any information identifying a donor or prospective donor to the direct-support organization who desires to remain anonymous is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution; and that anonymity must be maintained in the auditor’s report. The university and the Auditor General shall have access to all records of the direct-support organization upon request.

History: s. 2, ch. 2007-54; s. 1, ch. 2007-77; s. 1, ch. 2012-218; s. 1, ch. 2022-6.