Office of Foundation Relations Kavita Munjal Sr. Executive Director, Foundation Relations August 2015

Who Gives the Gifts? (Source: Giving USA, 2015) In 2014, American philanthropists gave over $358 billion. 2

Where do the Gifts Go? (Source: Giving USA, 2015) 3

The State of Biomedical Research in the U.S. Increased competition for reduced NIH funds Stronger emphasis on translational research Collaborations across academic disciplines (not just within medicine, but across professional schools) Increased prestige of foundation support (often peer-reviewed decision making) 4

Case for Private Foundations vs. Federal Grants Foundation funding can provide seed funding for projects needing more preliminary data Serve as bridge funding between grants Serve as a bragging point on researcher’s CV 5

Office of Foundation Relations – Who We Are Kavita Munjal – Senior Executive Director Focus: Oversees Foundation Research Institutes (Norris, Broad, Zilkha), Medical Education, Hospital, and all clinical and basic departments Nicole Diaz-Ordaz – Director Focus: Cancer Center, Hospital VACANT –Associate Director Focus: Medical Education, Preventive Medicine, Community Initiatives MariaElena Hege—Assistant Director Focus: Manages daily operations, and first point of contact with internal USC community Dawn Muench – Coordinator (Part-time) Focus: Manages data management systems and foundation research requests 6

OFR – What We Do The Office of Foundation Relations advocates and secures funding for the following priority areas: Cancer (Norris) Stem Cell (Broad) Brain Science (Zilkha) Medical Education Keck Hospital Keck Initiatives Preventive Medicine 7

OFR in FY 15 In FY 15, we reached out to/submitted proposals to 75 unique foundations on behalf of Keck Medicine We traveled nationally to meet with foundations to advocate for our faculty The OFR received $17 million in awards during FY 15, with another $9 million pending 8

Before the Award … The OFR can provide the following assistance: Conduct in-house research on foundations Develop strategic plans and approaches for multiple funders Obtain “clearances” from central for foundations that have interest across schools at USC Author, edit and submit LOIs and proposals Cultivate relationships with Program Officers (acting as a “neutral” party, or from the Office of the Dean, can catalyze success or open doors) 9

After the Award … 10 The OFR will: Coordinate stewardship letters from appropriate parties (our office, the Dean, the President, etc.) Provide grants management for awards determined to be grants Track progress report deadlines and send reminders to PIs Discuss any changes with program officers at the foundation Coordinate press releases, obtain quotes and approvals from foundation leadership Ensure appropriate USC publicity Serve as one more office advocating on behalf of the program with internal and external leadership / stakeholders 10

Office of Foundation Relations Collaborative Efforts with the Office of Research Advancement and Dept. of Contracts & Grants The Office of Research Advancement coordinates research activities across the school, integrating with university-level management offices. The OFR works closely with Research Advancement as a means of building productive relationships with foundations. The Department of Contracts and Grants oversees the internal approvals process for awards designated as grants. About 40% of OFR awards are now grants. As part of the OFR’s grants management role, we: Forward agreements to Jeri Muniz for gift/grant decision Work with academic depts. to initiate KC proposals Inform Gift Services so that awards are booked Communicate with Sponsored Research office (SPA) to obtain copies of award letters and checks received Ensure appropriate stewardship from the OFR, the Dean, and the President Serve as central liaison for program with external funder Office of Foundation Relations Research Advancement Contracts and Grants 11

Questions? Kavita Munjal Sr. Executive Director, Foundation Relations Keith Administration Building, 3rd floor 323-442-2355 munjal@usc.edu