CGS-authored
SAN FRANCISCO - What's in a name? Well, to the cash-strapped stem cell agency that Californians created with a 2004 ballot initiative, there could be tens of millions of dollars worth of contributions at stake.
The board at the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine is considering a proposal to swap naming rights to research programs and office space in exchange for sizable donations.
Officials hope deep-pocketed donors will be eager to attach their names to conference rooms, grants and most anything else related to stem cell research. One idea is to name "fellowship" programs after donors who contribute at least $10 million each.
"No naming will be considered without a gift of substantial value," the proposed policy states.
Officials compare the plan to public universities' practice of naming buildings, professorships and other programs after donors. Others see it more akin to municipalities selling stadium naming rights to corporations.
Whatever the analogy, there's little precedent for a California agency raising money in this way, and the plan has raised concern among the stem cell agency's critics.
"If they aren't careful, they...
The board at the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine is considering a proposal to swap naming rights to research programs and office space in exchange for sizable donations.
Officials hope deep-pocketed donors will be eager to attach their names to conference rooms, grants and most anything else related to stem cell research. One idea is to name "fellowship" programs after donors who contribute at least $10 million each.
"No naming will be considered without a gift of substantial value," the proposed policy states.
Officials compare the plan to public universities' practice of naming buildings, professorships and other programs after donors. Others see it more akin to municipalities selling stadium naming rights to corporations.
Whatever the analogy, there's little precedent for a California agency raising money in this way, and the plan has raised concern among the stem cell agency's critics.
"If they aren't careful, they...