Your Partner for Foundation Funding Success
Looking for foundation funding to support your research, scholarship, projects, and programs? The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) helps faculty, researchers, and administrators across campus engage with national and international private and corporate philanthropic organizations. We offer strategic guidance on funder alignment, help identify funding opportunities, advise on engagement strategies, and support the development of competitive proposals (including draft reviews).
Contact us as soon as you find a foundation opportunity you wish to pursue. Please notify CFR in advance of all gift or sponsored project proposals with budget requests of $50,000 or more to any national or international foundation, including grant submissions managed by the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP).
Reach out early and often—whether you’re exploring ideas or preparing a proposal. We are here to help you succeed! Contact the CFR team to schedule a one-on-one meeting, small group session, or departmental presentation.
Foster Foundation Relations
Get strategic advice for engaging with foundations and preparing for exploratory meetings and campus visits—so you make a strong impression. Invite CFR to join your funder meetings to demonstrate institutional backing for your project. Receive tailored support for post-award reporting and stewardship.
- Reach out to CFR if you’re in contact with a foundation—or before you approach a new one—to ensure the best positioning for you and the university.
- Let CFR know if you’re planning an exploratory meeting with a foundation program officer or have invited one to campus for an event.
Find Funding Opportunities
Discover foundation funding opportunities that align with your research and project goals. Get help assessing and prioritizing the most promising options before investing your time further. Gain valuable insights into foundation priorities, funding history and trends, and the university’s existing connections—giving you a competitive edge.
- Sign up for the CFR Newsletter to be notified about open funding calls and limited submission opportunities.
- Search the Pivot-RP database to find external funding opportunities that match your needs. Click here for how-to.
- Review the CFR Funding Search Guide to learn tips and techniques to boost your funding search efforts.
- Contact the CFR team for help brainstorming funding opportunities and assessing alignment.
Develop Competitive Proposals
Get expert guidance on positioning your research to align with funder priorities and translating your ideas into fundable projects. Receive constructive feedback to improve proposal clarity, focus, and competitiveness before submission. Get assistance with interpreting application guidelines and navigating submissions.
- Sign up for the CFR Newsletter to stay informed about proposal writing trainings and resources.
- Review the CFR Proposal Writing Guide to learn tips and techniques to strengthen your grant writing.
- Contact the CFR team to discuss proposal strategy or to schedule a draft review.
Leverage University Resources
Make full use of available expertise and support to strengthen your proposals and increase your chances of success. Plus, get guidance to ensure alignment with the university’s engagement strategy and compliance with funder and institutional requirements. CFR works in coordination with offices across the university to support faculty research proposals.
Who to contact first at the university if you have questions about…
- …National and international private and corporate foundations: Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR)
- …Local family foundations, local businesses, and corporate sponsorships: Your area Development Officer
- …Federal funding or industry contracts: Your area Pre-Award Team or Grants and Contracts Officer
- …Gift versus sponsored project funding: Funding Determination Guidelines and Worksheet
- …Budgets, forms, compliance, and OSP review: Your area Pre-Award Team or Grants and Contracts Officer
- …Funding search databases (e.g., Pivot-RP, Foundation Directory): U of U Research Guide Librarians