Strategy Development – Assist development officers, faculty and senior University officials in formulating effective approaches to foundations.
Facilitating Collaboration – Convene groups of representatives from across the University around discussions of projects and foundation prospects. Lead monthly meetings of the CFR Group, which consists of designated CFR representatives from various schools and centers.
Communications – Share Request for Proposals with CFR colleagues; prepare and circulate newsletters with current information about key foundations and companies; facilitate conversations with foundation and company program officers; provide support for site visits and stewardship efforts.
Proposal Development – Work with faculty and senior University officials to develop proposals that will particularly suit expressed foundation interests. The central CFR office also offers advice and support in the preparation and management of foundation grants, including:
- Advice on proposal development:
- Developing strategies on approaching foundations
- Obtaining feedback about proposal content
- Preparing proposal budgets
- Consulting on good stewardship and reporting practices
- Information about grant management:
- Protocols for proposal submission
- Role of the Office of Research Services (ORS) and Penn Center for Innovation (PCI)
- Working with both CFR and ORS offices
- Obtaining copies of required proposal attachments:
- IRS Determination letter of (501(c)(3)) and 509(a) status
- Penn’s Form 1040 tax return
- Audited Financial Statements
- Narrative information about Penn required for proposals
Prospect Research and Training – Develop lists and profiles of appropriate foundation prospects for projects at Penn, as well as train development and other staff to do their own independent foundation research. The central CFR office offers research support primarily to Development and Alumni Relations staff in their search for foundation funding opportunities. However, on a case-by-case basis, we will also assist other individual faculty and staff in foundation research.
Specifically, we offer:
- Prospect research tailored to the funding needs of particular projects that are supported by senior School and University officials. This includes profiles of individual funders, how they have funded Penn in the past, their connections to people at Penn, etc.
- Training on how to conduct prospect research on your own, including information on databases used in foundation research.
For more information on pursuing corporate or foundation support, please contact the Central Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at (215) 573-2929.