January 4, 2019

Drexel’s Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations (FCR) builds strong partnerships with private and corporate foundations that grow Drexel's teaching, research and civic engagement initiatives. FCR offers a wide range of support and resources for Drexel faculty and administrators seeking external funding for their academic research and programs.

The support we offer includes:

• Matching need to funding prospect.
  We meet with individual faculty members (or teams of faculty) to learn about their work and funding needs, and conduct an extensive search of private foundations and corporations whose priorities align with those needs.
  
• Informing faculty and administrators of available opportunities and timelines.
  We leverage our relationships with deans, department heads and grant administrators to distribute targeted RFPs among faculty.
  
• Reviewing, revising and editing proposals, concept papers and attached materials prior to submission.
  We review letters of intent and proposal narratives from the foundations’ perspective, ensuring that all of their guidelines have been met and their questions answered. We can also assist in drafting content for proposals based on existing materials pertaining to faculty projects (i.e., prior proposals).
  
• Ensuring timely grant submissions and reporting to funders.
  If need be, we can submit proposals and applications for faculty, either electronically or by mail, depending on the foundation’s requirements. When grants are awarded, we keep track of deadlines for interim and final grant reports, review narrative drafts, and help ensure that money is being spent properly.
• Serving as the point of contact for all foundation partners.
  We facilitate faculty’s relationships with foundation program officers by arranging preliminary phone conversations, coordinating site visits or stewarding awarded grants.

FAQs

Who is this support ideal for?
This support is ideal for most any faculty member, but especially those who are new to grant seeking or are interested in alternatives to federal funding sources.

What are the first steps to getting involved with FCR?
The first step is to contact an FCR staff member and arrange a meeting to discuss your current funding needs. Associate Director Ingrid Broadnax works with social sciences and humanities faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, while Assistant Director Julia Mullen is the liaison for the college’s life science departments.

When is the best time to contact FCR?
Timelines are flexible depending on the opportunity. For RFPs with specific deadlines, we prefer at least two months’ notice to help faculty prepare the best possible application.

Learn more about the Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations