2222 Pledge Agreements

Evidence of a pledge must be put into writing for submission to the gift and financial systems. All documentation must be verifiable.  

Promises to give $25,000 or more must be supported by an executed pledge agreement or approved equivalent pledge agreement by the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer or the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations. The donor’s expected fulfillment date must be documented within the pledge agreement. [Note: The fair value of unconditional pledges incorporates a discount commensurate with the timing of the anticipated payment stream]. 

All drafts of pledge agreements must be submitted to the Office of Gift Planning for their review and approval prior to signatures being obtained.  

The required signatures for pledge agreements are: Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Dean of the School or Director of the Center, and the President of the University of Pennsylvania $1M and above.  

Documentation of all pledges must be kept on file in Gifts Accounting & Administration, Suite 300, 2929 Walnut Street, and made readily accessible to auditors during the lifetime of the pledge. All original, signed documents must be sent to the Treasurer’s Office for safekeeping. It is the responsibility of the Office of the Treasurer, Office of Development and the school/center business administrators to ensure fiduciary responsibility to preserve the donor’s intent.  

Promises to give with conditions placed against the pledge are recorded as conditional