trends in corporate and foundation relations marc gibson, director of corporate relations sally...
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Trends in Corporate and Foundation Relations
Marc Gibson, Director of Corporate Relations
Sally Morris, Director of Foundation Relations
CFR
Trends in Foundation Relations
FOUNDATIONRELATIONS
•
Significant Changes within Last 10 Years
Largest Foundations created Rise and Takeover of the
Strategic Foundation (vs. Learned or Family)
Staffing shifts – hiring experts Globalization of Philanthropy
Current Foundation Snapshot
Recession Impact Limited recovery but giving flat
in 2011 Maintained these giving levels in
2012, no significant increases but no significant reductions
2013 Funding Outlook – Modest Growth
Short Term Trends
Specific project based funding, fewer multi-year awards
Shorter, More Powerful Proposals Connections and Content More carefully targeted
proposals International and Consortia College Access and College
Success
Long Term Trends
Giving Pledge – Sunsetting Transparency – The Reporting
Commitment www.glasspockets.org.
Venture Philanthropy/Entrepreneurial Mindsets
What can I do to attract foundation funding?
Foundation work is often faculty-driven
Who’s doing the best, most innovative work? Faculty Connections?
Service on boards, committees, participating in conferences
Applying to RFPs Working with Development -
networking
Trends in Corporate Relations
CORPORATECONNECT and COLLABORATE
Entry Points
Every office on campus that works with corporations
Alumni Boards/Committees Faculty Students
TREND 1
“Gifting vs. Investing”– Gift = company gives $$ with ‘no
strings’ attached. Little to no expectations.
– Investment = “how does this ‘gift’ help my company achieve its goals?”
“Companies no longer consider themselves to be simply ‘donors’ to academia, they consider themselves to be investors and business partners, where knowledge creation and transfer is a significant part of the equation.”
Holistic Model Approach– Research– Recruiting / Future Employees–New Technologies / Tech Transfer– Employee Training / Executive
Education– Joint Govt. Proposals– Public Relations– Company Match
TREND 2
“Now that companies engage research universities on an enterprise, rather than a philanthropic basis, they are focusing their interactions on those universities that provide strategic benefits.”
TREND 3
Shift in Philosophies– Mergers & Acquisitions have constricted
giving– Legislation has increased corporate
accountability– Corporate mentality that unrestricted gifts
provide little accountability, few measurable results, and less productive forms of recognition
– Decrease in funding to UG and Graduate education
– Branding
“In an environment of receding economies, deregulation, global competition, ever-changing tax codes, and increased financial accountability, corporate philanthropy to academia has been in transition from an ad hoc activity to a long-term business strategy. ”
TREND 4
“The HP Relationship Continuum shows a comprehensive academic-industry approach. HP, like most companies, is focused on developing strategic partnerships that add value to the company. As the company builds trust with the university and the relationship deepens, more engagement opportunities arise. ”
“Strategic Partnership”
TREND 5
Shift in University Relations Offices– Decrease number of ‘partner’
institutions– Less is More Concept–Master Agreements– Rankings– Global Relationships
“A true partnership includes shared values, goals and benefits.”
TREND 6
Tell the “Story”–We are ALL university ambassadors–How does your work impact the Top-
25?–What separates you from everyone
else?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Corporate giving has been redefined over the past 5-10 years.
Corporations are more strategic. Corporations know where the
best work is being done and align themselves with those leaders.
What separates UT from every other institution?