Strategic partnerships
Connecting campus and the communityVCU Corporate and Foundation Relations is the central point of contact for companies, foundations and other philanthropic organizations interested in investing in VCU or VCU Health.
About the office
VCU Corporate and Foundation Relations builds and manages strategic private funding partnerships that advance university priorities in research, innovation, student success, workforce development, community engagement and health. The office works across VCU’s colleges, schools, centers, research units and health system to connect partners with opportunities that align with both institutional priorities and funder interests.
CFR should be the first point of contact for private philanthropic grants and funding opportunities. While some awards may also require routing through the Office of Sponsored Programs or other university offices, CFR helps coordinate the institutional strategy, shape funder-facing narratives and position proposals to align with private funder priorities.
This approach gives external partners, faculty and staff a clear place to start — without needing to determine in advance which office, funding type or internal pathway applies.
Guidelines for seeking corporate and foundation funding
VCU Corporate and Foundation Relations is here to help faculty and staff pursue private funding from companies, foundations and other philanthropic organizations. Whether you have a fully developed proposal, an early project idea or a funder in mind, CFR can help you determine the best path forward.
Private philanthropic funding often requires a different approach than federal grant funding. CFR helps shape project concepts, align proposals with funder priorities, coordinate institutional strategy and connect faculty and staff with the appropriate university partners for review, routing and submission.
Develop your funding strategy with CFR
CFR works collaboratively with faculty, staff, schools, units, VCU Health and university partners to:
- Identify corporate and foundation funding opportunities aligned with your work.
- Assess whether a project is a strong fit for a specific private funder.
- Develop proposal strategy and funder-facing narratives.
- Coordinate outreach to companies, foundations and philanthropic organizations.
- Help avoid duplicate or conflicting approaches to the same funder.
- Connect projects with the appropriate internal review, compliance, foundation or sponsored-programs pathway.
- Support stewardship, reporting and continued relationship-building after an award.
Contact CFR before reaching out to, applying to or submitting materials to a company, foundation or philanthropic organization. Early coordination helps ensure that VCU presents a strategic, unified approach and that proposals are aligned with funder expectations, institutional priorities and applicable university processes.
Some opportunities may also require review or routing through the Office of Sponsored Programs, an affiliated university foundation, compliance offices or other university partners. CFR can help determine the appropriate pathway and coordinate those next steps.
To help CFR understand your project and identify the best funding strategy, please be prepared to share:
- A brief project description and primary goal
- The need or opportunity the project addresses
- Proposed activities, methods or approach
- Expected outcomes and who will benefit
- Potential collaborators, including internal or external partners
- Estimated timeline and budget
- Amount requested and any other anticipated sources of support
- Evaluation, dissemination and sustainability plans
- Any funders already identified or contacted
Competitive corporate and foundation proposals are typically focused, compelling and aligned with the funder’s mission. Strong projects usually have:
- A clear purpose and defined scope
- A strong answer to “Why this work, why now and why VCU?”
- Measurable objectives and outcomes. How do you know you have met your goal?
- Institutional support and readiness to execute
- A realistic budget and timeline
- A clear plan for evaluation, impact and sustainability
- Alignment with the funder’s priorities, language and goals
CFR can help translate a strong idea into a fundable project and determine whether private philanthropic funding is the right fit. The earlier CFR is involved, the more effectively we can help position the opportunity for success.
Need help getting started?
Contact Corporate and Foundation Relations to discuss your project, potential funders or next steps.