The Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) collaborates with faculty and staff to obtain grants and gifts from foundations, corporations, and nongovernmental organizations to support faculty research, programs, and other institutional priorities/funding needs.
CFR works closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) to prepare and review all funding requests submitted by Clark faculty and staff. We collaborate closely with faculty to guide them through the proposal preparation and submission process, develop proposal narratives and project budgets, and provide institutional information.
Our services
Research and identify prospective corporate and foundation funders.
Review proposals and letters of inquiry (LOIs) to ensure compliance with University policies and funder requirements to make sure there will be no internal issues and that the proposal includes everything the funder is expecting.
Write, edit, and assist with developing and submitting LOIs and proposals.
Assist with developing budgets and other proposal materials.
Provide technical assistance with applications, including compiling institutional information, financial statements, and IRS documents — and provide required institutional attachments and approvals.
Facilitate interactions and manage relationships with a broad range of foundations and corporations, including discussing and pitching proposal ideas, negotiating agreements and budget details with foundation program officers and industry representatives.
Provide post-award grant management including reviewing and processing contracts, and coordinating with Clark’s Grant Accounting to process payments.
Steward grant funding, including assisting with and submitting reports, funder correspondence, and campus visits.
Organize and prepare briefings for foundation and corporate visits.
Process for submitting funding requests
To get the most benefit out of working with us, please keep the following in mind:
Contact CFRbefore reaching out to funders (we may have existing connections, etc.), and as early as possible before proposal deadlines, to allow plenty of time to meet Clark’s submission requirements and to get the most out of the resources available through our office.
To guarantee timely submission of your proposal, please submit the final draft of your proposal or letter of inquiry (including budget and other components) to CFR 10 business days ahead of the proposal deadline. Please use Cayuse to initiate your proposal/LOI.
Wondering how to pursue external fundng? Check out OSPR’s FAQs.
