1. Foundation Fundraising
& the USC Process
Kerry Franco
Sr. Director, Foundation Relations
August 14, 2018

2. Agenda Foundation giving overview
USC Advancement: Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR)
Process for obtaining foundation funding 2

3. Who Gives the Gifts? (Source: Giving USA, 2018)
In 2017, American philanthropists gave over $410 billion.
16% of this total came from foundations. 3

4. Where do the Gifts Go? (Source: Giving USA, 2018)4

5. 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 resume builder on researcher’s CV 5

6. USC Advancement: CFR
Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) is part of USC Advancement
~ 35 dedicated professionals across the university
Operate in most schools and units (decentralized)
Small Central University CFR team to coordinate foundation activity among schools and units
Top 25 Corporations and Foundations
Interdisciplinary Initiatives
CFR should be the primary point of contact for faculty and researcher to a foundation 6

7. Example: Keck OFR – What We Do
The Office of Foundation Relations advocates and secures funding for the following priority areas:
Cancer
Stem Cell
Brain Science
Medical Education
Keck Medicine of USC Initiatives
Keck School of Medicine Initiatives 7

8. OFR in FY 18
In FY 18, we reached out to/submitted proposals to 80 unique foundations on behalf of Keck Medicine
We traveled nationally to meet with foundations to advocate for our faculty
The OFR received $24.8 million in new awards during FY 18, with another $5.8 million pending 8

9. Process for obtaining foundation funding
Identify your CFR officers to discuss your fundraising interest.
The OFR can provide the following assistance:
Conducts in-house research on foundations
Identifies, qualifies and cultivates relationships with funders for faculty
Obtain the necessary approvals from central CFR and other units for foundations that have interest across schools at USC
Authors, edits and submits letters of interest (LOI) and full proposals to funders
Cultivates relationships with program officers, directors and trustees (acting as a “neutral” party, or from the Office of the Dean, can catalyze success or open doors)
All foundation activity (visits, s, proposals) is logged and managed by CFR and development. 9

10. 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

11. Office of Foundation Relations
Example: Collaborative Efforts with the Office of Research Advancement and Dept. of Contracts & Grants
The Keck Office of Foundation Relations (OFR) works closely with Research Advancement as a means of building productive relationships with foundations.
The Office of Research Advancement coordinates research activities across the school, integrating with university-level management offices. Assists faculty with some foundation funding opportunities via the RFP process.
The Department of Contracts and Grants oversees the internal approvals process for proposals and awards from extramural sponsors.
Office of Foundation Relations
Research Advancement
Contracts and Grants 11

12. Questions? Kerry Franco Hossein Pourmand
Sr. Director, Foundation Relations
Hossein Pourmand
Sr. Executive Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations
(213)