For solicitation of sources outside the campus community, you must seek the approval of the Office of Student Activities.
No individual student or club, except the colleges, may solicit funds through advertisements, patrons' bids or otherwise, from anyone other than active student members of the clubs, without prior approval of the Assistant Director of Student Activities.

The approval process involves both the Office of Student Activities and the Development Office.  The process will take at the very least one month so you must plan ahead.  Please follow the steps below to expedite the process:

1. Determine why your group is seeking money, what the money will be used for, and what your monetary goal is.
2. Brainstorm a list of business and/or individuals that your group feels would support this effort.
3. Generate a solicitation letter.  The letter must include the following:
   a. Name of your organization.
   b. Purpose of your club.
   c. Reason you are contacting the recipient.
   d. Statement of what you want from the recipient.
   e. Explanation of what you will do with the donation.
   f. Tax Deductible statement – (e.g. Rice University is a not for profit entity and your generous donation to a Rice student organization is tax deductible.  If you would like to receive a receipt from Rice, please make your check payable to “Rice University” indicating (insert your organization's name) on the memo line. 
   g. Mailing addresses for the donation.
   h. Benefits the donor will receive.
   i. How to contact your club should the donor desire to do so.
4. Narrow down your list of potential sponsors and research contact information.
5. Submit the solicitation letter AND your list of potential sponsors to the Assistant Director of Student Activities, Holly Williams, as an email attachment (hollyw@rice.edu).
6. The Office of Student Activities will work with you to revise your solicitation letter should that be necessary.
7. After the letter has been finalized the Office of Student Activities will seek final approval for your letter and list of potential sponsors.
8. You will be notified by the Assistant Director when your letter has been approved. 
9. After you receive this notification you may mail out your letters.  Your group is responsible for the costs associated with printing and postage. 

Please note that members of the Board of Governors and Rice University associates shall not be solicited. Money collected through solicitation should only be used for the operations and activities of the soliciting club.  Soliciting funds for use by another non-profit organization is not acceptable.

NOTE: No individual or group may use the name of Rice University or its colleges for solicitation without prior approval of University officials via the process outlined above.

NOTE: Sales of books, stationary, supplies, and novelties are reserved for the Campus Bookstore, food for Rice Catering, and all items at athletic events for the Athletic Office. Plans to sell any items should therefore be approved by the Office of Student Activities before anything is begun.

NOTE: If your fundraising plans do involve the sale of taxable items (articles of clothing or tangible items), please refer to "Sales and Sales Tax Exemption."