Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| (A)
AUBURN UNIVERSITY |
636000724 | 5 | Yes | 0 | 0 | |
|
Total 1
|
0 | 0 | ||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
||||
| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| SCHEDULE A, PART IV, SECTION D, LINE 2, 3 & SECTION E, LINE 1C | Although the Foundation is separate and independent from the University, its mission is to facilitate the acquisition, construction and equipping of a technology and research park on the University's campus in order to create new academic and entrepreneurial opportunities for the University's faculty and students. Consideration received by the University from the Foundation includes the traditional benefits enjoyed by a University from an affiliated research park, including but not limited to, increased exposure for development and commercialization of the University's intellectual property and technologies, increased research opportunities for the University's students and professors, and heightened exposure within the commercial world of the technological campus offerings. Auburn University's Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development serves as President of the Foundation. The President is a member of the Foundation Board with full voting powers. Contributed services in the amount of approximately $155,444 and $105,631 were recognized by the Foundation during fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to services provided by the individual serving as the President of the Foundation. The Foundation Board includes members who are also members of the VCOM Board of Directors, University Board of Trustees as well as other University employees. A banking relationship exists between the Foundation and a financial institution whose chairman is a member of the Foundation Board and the University's Board of Trustees. Additionally, a board member and the spouse of another board member is also on the board of River Bank & Trust where the loan for Building 7, Building 5 and the furniture loan were obtained. The Foundation and the University entered into an Operating Agreement (the Agreement), which governs the general and administrative and development financial relationships between these two entities. In summary, the Agreement states that in return for certain services and facilities that are within the capability and control of the University, the Foundation will reimburse the University for the cost of such services and facilities. The Foundation makes an annual determination of its allocable share of these costs and records the transaction. As discussed below, unpaid amounts at September 30 are included in "Other payable to Auburn University" on the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. The Foundation and the University review the Agreement annually and provide an estimate of the maximum consideration to be paid for the upcoming year for approval by the respective boards. The University did not charge the Foundation for any personnel costs in fiscal years 2024 and 2023. Personnel costs incurred by the University and not reimbursed by the Foundation were $1,252,277 and $1,236,659 in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. These costs are reflected in the Foundation's financial statements as general and administrative expense and as corresponding contribution revenue without donor restrictions. The Foundation entered into subcontracts with the University to provide services to fulfill the Foundation's sponsored project agreements. The University provides certain operating services to the Foundation. As of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Foundation owed the University $31,488 and $28,988, respectively, related to these services. All amounts owed to the University are shown in "Other payables to Auburn University" on the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. The amounts due from the University to the Foundation of $27,269 and $97,849 at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively primarily relate to deferred rent associated with long term leases between the University and the Foundation. These amounts are included in "Accounts Receivable"Deferred rent asset" on the Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. The Foundation held lease agreements with ten university departments in fiscal year 2024, whereby the departments leased office space from the Foundation. As leasing tenants, the University departments remit a monthly rental fee to the Foundation in accordance with their lease agreements. ARTF recognized rental income of $859,147 and $744,345 from the University during fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On September 16, 2020, the Foundation entered into a thirty-year lease agreement to lease space inside Building 5, owned by ARPI. ARTF operates an event center and is the sublessor of caf space inside the new building. Intercompany rental revenue and rental expenses totaled $336,013 and $359,109 in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. Intercompany rental revenue and rental expenses is eliminated during consolidation. |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PART III PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation (the Foundation) is an independent Alabama nonprofit corporation organized on August 24, 2004, to develop and operate the Auburn Research Park and to support Auburn University (the University) with the attraction, development, and commercialization of technology. The Foundation's activities are governed by its own Board of Directors (the Foundation Board). The primary role of the Foundation is the development and operation of the Auburn Research Park (The Park). The Park is the result of a partnership between the State of Alabama (the State), the University, and the City of Auburn which contributed $5,000,000 in-kind infrastructure improvements to The Park property. The Park currently consists of seven buildings comprising almost 500,000 square feet of scientific and mixed-use facilities. It seeks to establish an entrepreneurial atmosphere in a business and research environment which fosters creativity and innovation, and embraces collaboration, partnerships, and networking that leads to economic diversification and enhanced economic vitality of the University and the local community, state, and region. On March 1, 2007, for the purpose of making loans and advances, the Board entered into an agreement to lease the site for Building 570 from the University. The Board paid annual rent of $10 to the University under the terms of the lease. The ground lease agreement had an expiration date of January 1, 2025; however, the agreement was terminated on October 8, 2010, the time all obligations due to the Board by the Foundation were paid in full. At that time, the University entered into an agreement with the Foundation where the Foundation leases the site for Building 570 from the University. The Foundation pays annual rental of $1 to the University under the terms of this ground lease. The ground lease agreement expires on March 15, 2057, unless terminated prior to that date. These transactions represent an unconditional promise of the use of a long-lived asset, the leased land. Since the rental payments are below the fair market value of the property, the Foundation recorded a contribution receivable for the difference between the fair rental values of the property, initially calculated using a 7% discount rate, and the stated amount of the lease payments. At the formation of the original lease, the contribution receivable booked was $302,878, net of a discount of $251,740. During fiscal 2011, the interest rate was reevaluated and changed to 5%, and the lease period was extended. An additional contribution receivable of $589,790 and discount of $401,121 were booked in fiscal 2011. An adjustment to the contribution receivable was made in fiscal 2016 to increase total acreage from the original 156 acres to 170.43 acres to include the VCOM acreage (discussed below) in the calculation. As of September 30, 2023, the Foundation has active ground leases comprising approximately 41.34 acres. The offsetting contribution receivable is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. Amortization related to the lease was $21,243 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of the discount was $10,514 and $9,977 during fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. On August 30, 2012, the Foundation signed an agreement with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg, VA to establish a branch campus to be located within the research park. The Foundation entered into an agreement to lease the site for VCOM from the University on August 9, 2013. The Foundation pays annual rent of $1 to the University under the terms of the lease. The ground lease agreement expires on June 30, 2085, unless terminated prior to that date. This transaction represents an unconditional promise of the use of a long-lived asset, the leased land. Since the rental payments are below the fair market value of the property, the Foundation recorded a contribution receivable in fiscal 2013 for the difference between the fair rental values of the property, calculated using a 5% discount rate, and the stated amount of the lease payments. At the formation of the lease, the contribution receivable booked was $3,035,051, net of a discount of $2,281,201. The offsetting contribution receivable is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. Amortization related to the lease was $42,812 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of the discount was $18,973 and $17,781 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. On June 12, 2018, for the purpose of constructing Building 7, the Foundation entered into an agreement to lease the site from the University. The Foundation paid annual rent of $1 to the University under the terms of the lease. The ground lease agreement expires on June 12, 2068, unless terminated prior to that date. This transaction represents an unconditional promise of the use of a long-lived asset, the leased land. Since the rental payments are below the fair market value of the property, the Foundation recorded a contribution receivable in fiscal 2019 for the difference between the fair rental values of the property, calculated using a 5% discount rate, and the stated amount of the lease payments. At the formation of the lease, the contribution receivable booked was $1,168,950, net of a discount of $756,344. The offsetting contribution receivable is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. Amortization related to the lease was $23,379 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of the discount was $6,764 and $5,933 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. On March 15, 2019, for the purpose of constructing Building 5, the Foundation entered into an agreement to lease the site from the University. The Foundation paid annual rent of $1 to the University under the terms of the lease. The ground lease agreement expires on March 15, 2068, unless terminated prior to that date. This transaction represents an unconditional promise of the use of a long-lived asset, the leased land. Since the rental payments are below the fair market value of the property, the Foundation recorded a contribution receivable in fiscal 2019 for the difference between the fair rental values of the property, calculated using a 5% discount rate, and the stated amount of the lease payments. At the formation of the lease, the contribution receivable booked was $760,513, net of a discount of $468,846. The offsetting contribution receivable is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. Amortization related to the lease was $16,822 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of the discount was $4,269 and $3,642 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. On January 31, 2019, for the purpose of constructing Building 6, the Foundation entered into an agreement to lease the site from the University. Also on January 31, 2019, the Foundation signed an agreement with the East Alabama Health Care Authority in Opelika, AL to establish a medical building to be located on this land. The building was completed and began operations in fiscal 2021. The Foundation paid annual rent of $1 to the University under the terms of the lease. The ground lease agreement expires on December 31, 2117, unless terminated prior to that date. This transaction represents an unconditional promise of the use of a long-lived asset, the leased land. Since the rental payments are below the fair market value of the property, the Foundation recorded a contribution receivable in fiscal 2019 for the difference between the fair rental values of the property, calculated using a 5% discount rate, and the stated amount of the lease payments. At the formation of the lease, the contribution receivable booked was $1,801,214, net of a discount of $1,437,797. The offsetting contribution receivable is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. Amortization related to the lease was $18,395 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The discount is amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of the discount was $4,668 and $3,982 during fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | 990 is reviewed by key members of management. |
| PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | ALL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OR APPARENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS ARE TO BE DISCLOSED TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. CONFLICTS OR APPARENT CONFLICTS OF ALL OTHERS ACTING FOR OR ON BEHALF OF THE ARTF ARE TO BE DISCLOSED TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. VIOLATIONS OF THE POLICY, INCLUDING FAILURE TO DISCLOSE CONFLICTS, MAY RESULT IN TERMINATION OF THE CONFLICTED PERSON. |
| PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B | THE FOUNDATION DID NOT HAVE ANY COMMITTEES WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY. |
| PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | AUBURN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| PART XI, LINE 9 | Consolidation adjustment pushed down to ARTF |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:ACCOUNTING & AUDIT TOTAL FEES:93450 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:LEGAL TOTAL FEES:76381 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:GOVERNMENT SERVICES FEE TOTAL FEES:46500 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:OTHER FEES FOR SERVICES TOTAL FEES:33936 |
| FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G | DESCRIPTION:CONSULTING TOTAL FEES:28450 |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |