The UConn Foundation is a separate, tax-exempt corporation that operates exclusively to promote the educational, scientific, cultural, and recreational objectives of the University of Connecticut. As the primary fundraising vehicle for the University, the Foundation’s mission is to solicit, receive, and administer gifts and financial resources from private sources to support UConn’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Private gifts support students, faculty, research and programs at all of UConn’s schools and colleges in addition to its world-class research centers and model athletics program. Since 1994, the University and the Foundation have established a fee-for-service partnership, secured by an annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which stipulates that the Foundation will conduct private fundraising on behalf of UConn.