Welcome to Foundation Relations

130 E. Seneca St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: (607) 254-6134
Fax: (607) 254-7166
Email: foundations@cornell.edu

The Office of Foundation Relations is designated as Cornell's central agency to manage the relationships between Cornell University and private philanthropic foundations.

Our goal is to increase the amount and relevance of grants to the Cornell Community. We work to promote university priorities, as designated by the President, the Trustees, the Provost, and the Deans of the Colleges. We offer services to ensure that each University contact with a private foundation is strategic and optimized.

Foundation Relations is part of University Development under the leadership of the Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development. We also work with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to identify which office is most appropriate to handle specific applications and awards.

Our services aim to boost foundation funding to Cornell by ensuring:

  • Timely and appropriate communication with foundation representatives

  • The best match between campus and foundation interests

  • Strategic and coordinated approaches to private foundations

  • Well-thought out grant proposals, and

  • Careful post-grant stewardship of foundation awards to Cornell University

The Importance of Foundation Support to Cornell University

  • Foundations play an important role in higher education. Their decisions about areas of need significantly affect universities. Their special resources are often targeted to make a significant difference in a particular area of interest. Their choices create opportunities in designated research areas, influence the building of facilities, programs and departments at colleges, and play an important role in defining future directions for higher education.

  • Foundations have supported an impressive history of accomplishments during the past century at Cornell and elsewhere. Their funds have often served as a catalyst for new projects. Their vote of confidence has often been crucial to further support from additional sources.

  • No two private foundations are exactly alike. Cornell University established the Office of Foundation Relations to ensure that the special history and dynamics of each relationship are kept in mind when communicating with foundations.

What does the Office of Foundation Relations actually do?

  • Offer leadership and guidance to those on campus who engage in foundation fundraising.

  • Provide briefings and make arrangements for visits to foundations by the president, provost, deans, and faculty, and facilitate visits to campus by foundation personnel.

  • Provide research information on foundations, and suggest or help to identify appropriate sources of foundation funding for particular projects.

  • Stay aware of foundation trends so as to assist Cornell faculty and administration in strategy development. Our office reviews and maintains a library of foundation literature, especially annual reports; maintains contact with Cornell faculty, staff, and trustees having close connections to particular foundations; develops personal contacts with program officers and other officials at foundations.

  • Review proposals and, if appropriate, assist in their writing.

  • Receive, assess, circulate, and assist in developing responses to foundation RFPs (Requests for Proposals).

  • Track foundation grants that come in to the University, assist with reports if necessary and send reminders of impending report due dates.

  • Work with senior university officials and faculty to develop proposals that will particularly suit expressed foundation interests.


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