Iowa State’s fund-raising records are under scrutiny as a nonprofit newspaper association pushes to bring the records of the ISU Foundation under open-records laws.

The Iowa Newspaper Association recently announced that it hopes to make fund-raising disclosure a top priority in the next Iowa legislative session.

Bill Monroe, executive director of the association, said the purpose of the legislation is to make fund-raising records open to the public. The proposed legislation would include records at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa as well.

“More and more fund raising is going through foundations like this,” Monroe said. “Currently, no one can see any records. There are some tax records, but otherwise, there is no inspection by the public.”

ISU Foundation President Tom Mitchell said it would be premature to estimate the effects this legislation would have on fund raising at Iowa State.

“If it moves forward with regards to donors’ reactions to revealing information, clearly it would be an issue we would be concerned about,” he said. “But it’s too early right now. We will engage in further dialogue to clarify the situation and make decisions as we move forward.”

Mitchell said questions about the foundation’s accounts may have been raised because the results of Campaign Destiny’s record-breaking $458.6 million fund-raising effort were announced at the same time as state cuts to the university budget.

“I think from the perspective that Campaign Destiny raised record levels of support, some would point to budget cuts, but budgets were cut from state funds,” he said. “Campaign Destiny was private support directed by donors to specific areas. They are two different streams of money. Private gifts are used to provide the margin of excellence in these areas, not to replace state funds.”

Mitchell said the specifics of the proposed legislation are unclear.

“We think they would like to have information as related to donor records, and we do not distribute that information at this point because it’s personal financial information,” he said.

Donations may be affected by the legislation because some donors do not want personal information open to the public, Mitchell said.

“Giving would be harmed greatly,” he said. “Ultimately, this could have the potential to decrease the level of private support people provide.”

Monroe said the proposed legislation would allow people wishing to donate anonymously to remain so.

“We want to open all records except those of any donor wishing to have information remain confidential,” he said. “Any records prior [to the legislation] will remain confidential as well.”

Mitchell said he didn’t think keeping anonymous records confidential would be a viable solution.

“When we announce anonymous gifts, the first question people ask is, ‘Who made the donation?'” he said. “What if everyone says they want to remain anonymous? It’s counterproductive.”

Mitchell also said the ISU Foundation provides a more-than-adequate accounting of its finances.

“We release all of our tax returns, we release an audited report and we always have an annual report that is available to the public for inspection,” he said. “We provide an amount of information beyond what is required by law, and we are independently audited by a national firm. Our greatest interest is the trust and confidence of those who invest in the university.”

Monroe said the ISU Foundation should cooperate with the open-records legislation.

“If nothing is wrong, then there shouldn’t be a problem with opening the books,” he said.