Christopher Wiedey Senior Executive Director Foundation Relations USC Dornsife College wiedey@usc.edu 213-821-9391
Source: Key Facts on U.S. Foundations, Foundation Center, 2014 What is a Foundation and Why Should I care? Non-profit, nongovernmental entity with its own Board of Directors. Makes grants to support its own specific philanthropic mission. Many different types of foundations. 86,192 Foundations in 2012 with $715 bil in assets and $52 bil in giving. Source: Key Facts on U.S. Foundations, Foundation Center, 2014
Total U.S. Charitable Giving in 2015 estimated at $373 billion Source: Giving USA Highlights 2016, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Recipients of Charitable Giving in 2015 Source: Giving USA Highlights 2016, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Why Should I Consider Foundation Funding? Increased competition for federal funding. Increased recognition from receiving a prestigious foundation grant. Supplemental revenue for research that federal funds might not underwrite.
How to Get Started Work with your unit Advancement Office to identify foundations. Research foundation guidelines. Follow USC policies and procedures for submitting proposals (e.g., Research Office, Department of Contracts and Grants, Limited Institutional Submission).
Office of Foundation Relations – What We Do Obtain clearances for new proposals to foundations (Beware: Presidential Foundations). Research, write, edit, review and submit proposals depending on circumstance. Arrange meetings and site visits with foundation program officers and cultivate professional relationships with foundations.
Resources for Researching Foundation Opportunities Research.usc.edu/institutionally-limited-external-competitions Foundationcenter.org – Website with comprehensive foundation database Unit Advancement Office Chronicle of Philanthropy (philanthropy.org) Grantforward.com (accessible through Office of Research website)
Contact Us Chris Wiedey Senior Executive Director Lisa Mitchell Ericka Swensson Associate Director Dornsife.usc.edu/contact-cfr/