The Foundation Approval Process

Getting Started

A full proposal draft and project budget must for available for review by the President, Vice President of Development and External Affairs, the appropriate school Dean, and the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposal submission deadline.

The following process overview has been developed to help clarify the funding process and to outline the steps that need to be taken to receive the appropriate clearance for foundation funding.  Once a funding initiative (i.e. a project, program, scholarship, building, etc.) has been identified, the following will need to be completed:

  1. Define the Funding Initiative - Faculty and staff should contact the school or area’s Director of Development (DOD) to discuss the funding initiative and determine the proper approval required (e.g., President, Provost, Dean, Chair, etc.)
  2. Submit Funding Initiative Summary - The schools or area's Director of Development will complete the Funding Initiative Summary in the DEA Project and Proposals Tracking System.
  3. Determine Potential Funding Sources - After funding initiative approval, faculty and staff should contact the Director of Development to discuss potential funding sources, which may include individuals, foundations, and/or corporations.  Potential corporate funding should be discussed with the assigned Primary Manager for each corporation. 
  4. Contact the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations - If it is determined that foundation donors are appropriate for the funding initiative, the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations should be contacted.  The following outcomes are possible:
  •  If the funding initiative is determined to be aligned with the priorities of the University at large, the Office of      Corporate and Foundation Relations may assist with foundation research, proposal development, editing, assembly, submission, and stewardship.
  • If the funding initiative is not aligned with the University’s priorities, varied support may be provided from the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations.  In most cases, the initiator of the project will be responsible for all prospect research, proposal development, assembly, and stewardship reports; however, each foundation prospect must still be approved and cleared by the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations.
  • The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations may request additional project information to determine if foundation funding is appropriate.
  • The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations may determine that the funding initiative is not a viable fit for foundation funding and may recommend that funding be pursued through individual gifts or other avenues.  Directors of Development and the Proposal Specialist will serve as resources for individual gifts.
  1. Submit the Foundation Approval Forms - Submit the online Foundation Approval Forms for selected foundations.  The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations will submit for the required University clearance for approved asks greater than $25,000.  Please note that foundation approvals expire 90-days after foundation approval.
  2. Write the Proposal and Finalize Budget - If the foundation prospect(s) is/are approved for the funding initiative, write the proposal narrative, assemble support materials, and finalize budget.  The level of assistance from the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations will be determined by the outcome in Step 4.
  3. Submit Final Draft and Budget - Provide the final draft of proposal narrative and budget to the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations for review at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposal submission deadline.
  4. Proposal is Approved and Mailed - The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations coordinates signature routing, submits the final proposal to the potential foundation donor, and tracks the outcome.