SLU’s Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations is a clearinghouse for all solicitations to corporations and foundations from the University and its representatives.
Our staff works closely with faculty, the Office of Research and Development Services, and the Clinical Trials Office to identify appropriate sources of funding. We also develop and submit funding proposals, and help steward awarded gifts. Funding requests should not be sent to corporations or foundations without consulting the CFR office.
You can schedule our staff to present on corporate and foundation funding opportunities and the process of working with the CFR office. For more information, email corporateandfoundation@slu.edu or call 314-977-2499.
Guidelines for Developing Proposals for CFR Funding
Our goal is to work with you to develop and submit proposals that have the best chance of receiving funding. It is essential that you complete the following steps to ensure consistency in submissions across campus.
Step One: Develop a Case Statement
Before contacting the CFR office, complete a case development form and ensure it is signed by the dean of your school or college. Once the form is received, it will be routed to the appropriate development officer. You will be contacted within one week to discuss the project.
Step Two: Prospect Research
Our office will work closely with you and the University’s prospect researchers to identify organizations with funding priorities that align with your outlined project. We’ll also examine past funding from prospect organization(s) to determine the best strategy to secure funding.
Step Three: Proposal Development
A CFR grant writer will work with you to develop a proposal. The writer will compile general information about the University, but you will provide specific information about the program or project, including a program budget. Our proposal template will help you get started, and CFR staff members are available to answer questions.
The grant writer will compile the proposal from information you provide, including all required attachments, and forward it to the selected foundation.
Step Four: Cultivation
It is essential to build a fundraising base before the solicitation process begins — proposals submitted without first developing a relationship are often declined. The CFR staff will communicate and collaborate with you on the best strategy for this process.
Step Five: Solicitation
All funding proposals will be submitted through the CFR office to maintain consistency across SLU; our office will contact you with the outcome of the request. If your funding request is successful, the CFR office will deposit and route the funds to the appropriate account for the project.
Step Six: Stewardship
The stewardship process varies across companies and foundations. The CFR staff will work with you to make sure you are aware of the reporting requirements and deadlines.
Some corporations and foundations request progress reports. While these reports are the responsibility of the department and individuals running the funded program, a copy of the report should be submitted to the CFR office for review prior to submission. Other stewardship efforts, such as events and personal correspondence, will be the responsibility of the CFR office in consultation with the University’s Stewardship Office.