Direct Support Organizations

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has five (5) direct support organizations (DSOs) that are organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of FAU.  Each of FAU’s DSOs were certified by the FAU Board of Trustees to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals of FAU and in the best interest of the State of Florida.

FAU’s DSOs provide University support and service in many areas including fundraising, research administration, clinical practice operations, financial endeavors, facilities acquisition, construction and management, debt structuring, and public-private partnerships. 

FAU DSO operations are directly aligned with the university’s strategic research, education, and service missions, and are overseen by the FAU Board of Trustees and the Florida Board of Governors. 

Each FAU DSO is a Florida not-for-profit, federally tax-exempt corporation and certified by the FAU Board of Trustees as a direct support organization of FAU under Florida law. 

Each FAU DSO provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law

FAU DSO Authorities & Requirements:

Preview of Direct Support Organizations (DSOs) - Click to Download


Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Inc.

Picture of Fogelman Sports museum at FAU

The Florida Atlantic University Foundation is creating unlimited opportunity for FAU’s thousands of promising people and programs. The Foundation connects private philanthropy to powerful possibilities within the University’s leading-edge mission and strategic plan. Operating under the Division of Institutional Advancement, the 501(c)3 nonprofit Foundation is a faithful fiduciary and trusted steward of our donors’ gifts and wishes.

Florida Atlantic University Research Corporation, Inc.

Picture of three students working in a lab

The Florida Atlantic University Research Corporation assists faculty, staff and students at FAU with research support, particularly in connection with patentable inventions. FAURC works with external sponsors from industry and others to arrange royalty-producing licenses for intellectual property (e.g. patent, copyrights) resulting from FAU research.

FAU Finance Corporation, Inc.

Picture of FAU student dorm  building

The FAU Finance Corporation assists the activities and educational purposes of the University by providing finance and investment‐related assistance in connection with the acquisition or construction of capital or other University projects, including but not limited to the structuring of debt relating thereto.  The FAU Finance Corporation has assisted the University with both housing and athletics-related projects.

FAU Clinical Practice Organization, Inc.

Picture of ambulance with FAU branding

The FAU Clinical Practice Organization promotes and supports medical education, patient care, research, and the administration and distribution of funds, exclusively for the support of the mission and objectives of the University, its Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, its Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and other participating colleges or units within the University. 

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Inc.

Picture of researcher scuba diving in the ocean

The mission of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Inc. (HBOIF) is to support the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, a research institute within Florida Atlantic University.  HBOIF provides funding and support for research and education in marine sciences and ocean engineering. HBOIF’s goal is to support FAU's Harbor Branch as it increases understanding of oceans and coastal areas through exploration and scientific investigation.