What is the main purpose of the CFR team?
The Corporate and Foundation Relations team serves University of Houston students, faculty and administration by raising charitable funds from private organizations, including corporations, corporate foundations and private grant-making foundations. To this end, CFR collaborates with UH leadership, deans, faculty and development staff to match and position priority projects with suitable donors. CFR also serves an external constituency role by helping corporations and foundations to work with UH more easily.
How does CFR work with colleges?
CFR staff work closely with UH deans, faculty and development directors to present projects to potential corporate and foundation partners. Here are some of the things we do that make our work so rewarding:
Helping match programs with interested funding partners
Ensuring proposals are aligned with college and university priorities, are written effectively and comply with potential funder guidelines
Building strong, ongoing relationships with funding partners through timely communications and reports
How does CFR work with our corporate and foundation partners?
CFR staff serve as the primary contacts with corporate and foundation partners to identify their program interests and direct university funding proposals that align with their desired outcomes and guidelines. We facilitate connections – we help match interests, ensure proposals are effective and to the point, and build strong working relationships into the future.
What is the best way to start a funding proposal?
Each situation will be a little different, so let’s talk first. Here’s how, whether you work at UH or at one of our funding partner organizations…
In the colleges, please initiate a conversation with your development officer who will help you explore whether your project is a good match for a corporate or foundation partner, and advise on next steps.
In corporations and foundations, please e-mail or phone your CFR contact: CFR Staff. If you do not have a CFR contact, feel free to contact any one of us. We will make sure to connect you to the right person.
What information is important when starting a funding proposal?
We like to try to keep things as simple as possible at the start and grow the information as needed. For colleges, below are some basic questions you (and your development officer) may feel free to cut, paste, complete on your computer and send to us. We really appreciate information in writing.
What is the purpose of your project?
- What university or college goal does the project support? How?
- Who does the project benefit? How many?
- How will you evaluate the project’s effectiveness?
- What is the project budget and time frame?