CFR is authorized to assist and accompany you during every step of the funding process. In addition to our work with corporate and foundation funders, we coordinate with several other offices on campus to ensure that your gift or grant proposal has the best chance of success and is in compliance with institutional, state, and federal finance rules and regulations.

We can be most helpful if you contact us in advance of your outreach to foundations, corporations, or other private funders, as we can assist with background information, strategy, connections, and outreach.

Contacting us before approaching a foundation is required by the university—and it may greatly increase your chances of success. Some foundations require that you approach them through our office; some limit the number of proposals USC can submit and ask our office to coordinate them. What if you meet a program officer at a conference or over social media? That’s great! Some of our most successful faculty fund-seekers have formed relationships that way. Similarly, if you already know a program officer through a previous grant, a degree program, or some other connection, we encourage you to make use of those contacts. We do ask you to get in touch with us when you’re making an approach—that’s our area of expertise.

The CFR staff have developed relationships with program officers at dozens of foundations and are experienced at locating existing connections to USC or forging new ones when needed. We can often offer inside information about a specific foundation or opportunity based on our prior work with them and can share what we have learned about their current priorities.

Yes! Our team specializes in connecting with both companies and foundations and can offer similar guidance in approaching and partnering with corporations as we can foundations

No. USC is not a 501(c)(3). However, most foundations will accept a letter that CFR can provide that explains the University’s tax-exempt status. If a funder requires a 501(c)(3) and will not accept the University’s tax-exempt status, please contact CFR at usccfr@mailbox.sc.edu and we can discuss your options.

That really depends on the organization! Assuming you have a lucid proposal for a worthy project, your chance of success will depend on fit and relationship. Foundations vary in how they weigh these two. Some foundations are very much transactional (all fit) and some are very loyal to the scholars they support (all relationships). We can help you understand the foundations that match your work and help you build those relationships.

Yes! Our team serves as proposal consultants for letters of inquiry (LOIs) or proposals requesting foundation support. We can provide guidance on framing your request, review draft inquiries and draft proposals, and ensure that the language and context align with the audience that will be reviewing your request.

Seeking foundation funding requires a balance of formal grant seeking and traditional fundraising approaches. 12-18 months from initial contact to award is common. Foundation funding is not a “quick solution” for funding needs, but an important part of a diversified fundraising strategy. It requires a strategic and proactive, rather than reactive, approach.

We usually encourage the subject matter expert (that’s you) to write the first draft. We can work closely with you to define your approach, confirm that you are following the foundation’s guidelines, and edit and review as needed.

With more complex grants, we sometimes coordinate the reporting process. But as with the proposal, you’re the best authority for what you did with your grant and what your work produced. We’re happy to provide guidance throughout the reporting process.

Limited submissions are funding opportunities whereby the number of applications USC can submit is limited by the foundation. These opportunities require an internal review prior to any submission to the funder.

We focus exclusively on building and strengthening relationships with private, professional foundations. We support faculty University-wide in developing and submitting the strongest proposals to the most appropriate foundations. We also monitor all foundation proposal activity and track philanthropic gifts on behalf of the University.

The Office of Sponsored Awards Management manages sponsored programs in support of USC’s  mission. All grants, regardless of the funding source, must be tracked by OSP to ensure University compliance on a number of measures.

Corporate philanthropy at the University of South Carolina supports a wide range of initiatives that drive student success, advance academic excellence, and enhance social and economic development. These include student scholarships and fellowships, academic programs and centers, experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad, and on rare occasions, endowed professorships and capital projects. 

Corporate gifts enhance innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement efforts across the university.

Faculty and staff can begin by connecting with the corporate and foundation relations team within the Division of Development. Our team works closely with corporate partners to understand their strategic goals and align them with meaningful opportunities across the university. We provide a centralized point of contact to help navigate giving options, identify areas of impact, and develop long-term engagement plans.

Opportunities for companies to directly fund or collaborate on research are typically coordinated through the Office of Economic Engagement, which supports sponsored research, tech transfer, and applied innovation initiatives. Corporate & Foundation Relations (CFR) focuses specifically on philanthropic support and can assist faculty in identifying and securing charitable gifts—such as funding for programmatic initiatives when aligned with a company or a corporate foundation’s giving priorities. When appropriate, these offices collaborate to provide a comprehensive approach to corporate engagement while serving distinct and complementary roles.

To contact the Office of Economic Engagement please reach out to Deputy Director of Economic Engagement Chase Kasper kasperc@sc.edu

Corporate partners receive recognition and engagement opportunities aligned with their level of support and areas of interest. These may include naming opportunities, brand visibility at university events and programs, invitations to exclusive events, and opportunities to engage with students and faculty. Benefits are tailored to create meaningful, long-term partnerships that deliver value to both the company and the university.

Sponsorships typically provide a defined benefit to the company (e.g., branding, event access, or marketing exposure), whereas philanthropic gifts are charitable contributions made without expectation of tangible return benefits. Common opportunities include conferences, lecture series, student programs, competitions, community initiatives, and certain research-related events where visibility and engagement are appropriate.

Some partners receive a high volume of requests and require centralized coordination. CFR can help determine whether an opportunity aligns with corporate priorities and timing. Faculty and staff should contact Corporate & Foundation Relations early in the process. CFR can help evaluate the opportunity, ensure alignment with university policies, and connect you with the appropriate contacts to pursue the sponsorship.