The literature on trustees of private, non-profit institutions and their fund-raising role almost always advises the institution that is having trouble raising money to look to its board of trustees. Oddly enough, there has been very little research or writing on the fund-raising role of public institution trustees, despite the fact that about 70% of public four-year institutions and many two-year institutions have established foundations to raise private monies. Though public sector trustees are not usually appointed for their potential as contributors and fund-raisers, elected trustees can assist the fund-raising function in the following ways: (1) trustees must provide moral and institutional support for the foundation and its initiatives; (2) trustees must clearly state the mission of the college, define its support needs, and provide the priorities, programs, and purposes that will put the donors' money to work; (3) trustees must grant sufficient independence and authority to the foundation board so that the most capable individuals will be interested in serving; (4) trustees must account to the foundation board for the institution's use of private gifts; (5) trustees must relay clear messages on college projects to the foundation board; (6) trustees and administrators must charge the foundation with an important role in community/corporate relations and legislative action; and (7) elected trustees may serve as members of the foundation as individuals. (EJV)